Home Inspection Ch. 05: Insulation and Ventilation Exam Questions and Answers| New
Update with 100% Correct Answers
The primary function of insulation is to ________. control heat loss
A vapor retarder is designed to ____________. restrict vapor diffusion
What are the implications of an inadequate air/vapor barrier? moisture may get into the
building structure causing damage.
Name 2 purposes of house ventilation. 1. flush moisture from unconditioned spaces in
winter and heat from these spaces in summer.
2. provide fresh air for building occupants
Define relative humidity. The amount of moisture in the air relative to the amount it could
hold if saturated, expressed as a percent.
What is meant by drying potential? The ability of the material or assembly to dry out after it
has gotten wet.
Why are roofs vented in the winter in cold climates? We are not able to completely stop air
leakage into cool roof spaces, so we need to get rid of that warm, moist air.
What is the purpose of a heat recovery ventilator? transfer heat from exhaust air back into
the fresh air coming into the house
The term ventilation might mean 2 very different things with respect to homes. Explain the 2
different types of ventilation. 1. Venting of roof and wall spaces to flush warm, moist air out
of the building components.
2. Exhaust stale air and supply fresh air to the living space.
, Indicate where the air/vapor barrier should be located in the wall assembly in a hot, humid
climate. Outer part of the wall, or not at all.
List 4 common forms that insulation materials may be found in. 1. loose fill
2. batts or blankets
3. rigid boards
4. foamed-in-place
List 10 common insulation materials. fiberglass; cellulose fiber; mineral wool;
vermiculite/perlite; expanded polystyrene (EPS); extruded polysyrene; closed cell phenolic
plastic; polyisocyanurate; polyurethane; isocyanate/polyisocyanate
What forms do these materials come in? last 2 are spray foam, the rest are the usual loose
fill, batt, or board forms.
What is the function of an air barrier? To stop air movement through building walls and
roofs
Indicate 2 reasons we are interested in controlling air movement through building walls and
roofs. 1. minimize heat flow through the shell
2. minimize moisture flow to building components
Describe the function of a vapor barrier. To protect the building from moisture damage.
Designed to protect from moisture due to vapor diffusion, not air movement.
List 2 other names for vapor barriers. vapor retarder or vapor diffusion retarder (VDR)
Is it more important for the air barrier or the vapor barrier to be continuous? air barrier
Update with 100% Correct Answers
The primary function of insulation is to ________. control heat loss
A vapor retarder is designed to ____________. restrict vapor diffusion
What are the implications of an inadequate air/vapor barrier? moisture may get into the
building structure causing damage.
Name 2 purposes of house ventilation. 1. flush moisture from unconditioned spaces in
winter and heat from these spaces in summer.
2. provide fresh air for building occupants
Define relative humidity. The amount of moisture in the air relative to the amount it could
hold if saturated, expressed as a percent.
What is meant by drying potential? The ability of the material or assembly to dry out after it
has gotten wet.
Why are roofs vented in the winter in cold climates? We are not able to completely stop air
leakage into cool roof spaces, so we need to get rid of that warm, moist air.
What is the purpose of a heat recovery ventilator? transfer heat from exhaust air back into
the fresh air coming into the house
The term ventilation might mean 2 very different things with respect to homes. Explain the 2
different types of ventilation. 1. Venting of roof and wall spaces to flush warm, moist air out
of the building components.
2. Exhaust stale air and supply fresh air to the living space.
, Indicate where the air/vapor barrier should be located in the wall assembly in a hot, humid
climate. Outer part of the wall, or not at all.
List 4 common forms that insulation materials may be found in. 1. loose fill
2. batts or blankets
3. rigid boards
4. foamed-in-place
List 10 common insulation materials. fiberglass; cellulose fiber; mineral wool;
vermiculite/perlite; expanded polystyrene (EPS); extruded polysyrene; closed cell phenolic
plastic; polyisocyanurate; polyurethane; isocyanate/polyisocyanate
What forms do these materials come in? last 2 are spray foam, the rest are the usual loose
fill, batt, or board forms.
What is the function of an air barrier? To stop air movement through building walls and
roofs
Indicate 2 reasons we are interested in controlling air movement through building walls and
roofs. 1. minimize heat flow through the shell
2. minimize moisture flow to building components
Describe the function of a vapor barrier. To protect the building from moisture damage.
Designed to protect from moisture due to vapor diffusion, not air movement.
List 2 other names for vapor barriers. vapor retarder or vapor diffusion retarder (VDR)
Is it more important for the air barrier or the vapor barrier to be continuous? air barrier
