AZ L-97 Geothermal Systems Contractor
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2027 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of a geothermal heat pump system?
A. To generate electricity from sunlight
B. To transfer heat between a building and the ground
C. To burn natural gas more efficiently
D. To cool groundwater for drinking
Answer: B. To transfer heat between a building and the ground
Rationale: A geothermal heat pump uses the relatively stable temperature
of the earth as a heat source in heating mode and a heat sink in cooling
mode.
, 2. Which component transfers heat between the refrigerant circuit and
the ground loop?
A. Expansion tank
B. Ground heat exchanger
C. Thermostat
D. Air filter
Answer: B. Ground heat exchanger
Rationale: The ground heat exchanger, commonly consisting of buried or
submerged piping, transfers thermal energy between the refrigerant
system and the earth or water source.
3. In a closed-loop geothermal system, what normally circulates through
the buried piping?
A. Refrigerant only
B. Potable water only
C. A heat-transfer fluid
D. Compressed air
Answer: C. A heat-transfer fluid
Rationale: Closed-loop systems circulate water or an approved antifreeze
solution through the ground heat exchanger to transfer heat.
, 4. Which type of geothermal loop is installed horizontally in relatively
shallow trenches?
A. Vertical loop
B. Horizontal loop
C. Open-well loop
D. Standing-column loop
Answer: B. Horizontal loop
Rationale: Horizontal systems place the ground-loop piping in trenches,
generally requiring more land area than vertical systems.
5. What is a major advantage of a vertical ground loop?
A. It requires no drilling
B. It requires less land area
C. It eliminates the need for circulation pumps
D. It always costs less to install
Answer: B. It requires less land area
Rationale: Vertical boreholes allow substantial loop length to be installed
where available surface area is limited.
6. What is the primary function of grout in a geothermal borehole?
, A. Lubricate the heat pump compressor
B. Provide thermal contact and seal the borehole
C. Increase refrigerant pressure
D. Prevent thermostat operation
Answer: B. Provide thermal contact and seal the borehole
Rationale: Proper geothermal grout helps transfer heat between the loop
and surrounding formation while sealing the borehole against unwanted
fluid movement.
7. Which factor is particularly important when sizing a geothermal
ground loop?
A. Paint color of the building
B. Building heating and cooling loads
C. Number of interior doors only
D. Roof shingle color
Answer: B. Building heating and cooling loads
Rationale: Ground-loop design must account for the amount of heat that
must be rejected to or extracted from the ground.
8. What does COP stand for in geothermal heat-pump terminology?
Exam Practice Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2027 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of a geothermal heat pump system?
A. To generate electricity from sunlight
B. To transfer heat between a building and the ground
C. To burn natural gas more efficiently
D. To cool groundwater for drinking
Answer: B. To transfer heat between a building and the ground
Rationale: A geothermal heat pump uses the relatively stable temperature
of the earth as a heat source in heating mode and a heat sink in cooling
mode.
, 2. Which component transfers heat between the refrigerant circuit and
the ground loop?
A. Expansion tank
B. Ground heat exchanger
C. Thermostat
D. Air filter
Answer: B. Ground heat exchanger
Rationale: The ground heat exchanger, commonly consisting of buried or
submerged piping, transfers thermal energy between the refrigerant
system and the earth or water source.
3. In a closed-loop geothermal system, what normally circulates through
the buried piping?
A. Refrigerant only
B. Potable water only
C. A heat-transfer fluid
D. Compressed air
Answer: C. A heat-transfer fluid
Rationale: Closed-loop systems circulate water or an approved antifreeze
solution through the ground heat exchanger to transfer heat.
, 4. Which type of geothermal loop is installed horizontally in relatively
shallow trenches?
A. Vertical loop
B. Horizontal loop
C. Open-well loop
D. Standing-column loop
Answer: B. Horizontal loop
Rationale: Horizontal systems place the ground-loop piping in trenches,
generally requiring more land area than vertical systems.
5. What is a major advantage of a vertical ground loop?
A. It requires no drilling
B. It requires less land area
C. It eliminates the need for circulation pumps
D. It always costs less to install
Answer: B. It requires less land area
Rationale: Vertical boreholes allow substantial loop length to be installed
where available surface area is limited.
6. What is the primary function of grout in a geothermal borehole?
, A. Lubricate the heat pump compressor
B. Provide thermal contact and seal the borehole
C. Increase refrigerant pressure
D. Prevent thermostat operation
Answer: B. Provide thermal contact and seal the borehole
Rationale: Proper geothermal grout helps transfer heat between the loop
and surrounding formation while sealing the borehole against unwanted
fluid movement.
7. Which factor is particularly important when sizing a geothermal
ground loop?
A. Paint color of the building
B. Building heating and cooling loads
C. Number of interior doors only
D. Roof shingle color
Answer: B. Building heating and cooling loads
Rationale: Ground-loop design must account for the amount of heat that
must be rejected to or extracted from the ground.
8. What does COP stand for in geothermal heat-pump terminology?
