NATE HEAT PUMP PREP |ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS|BRAND NEW 2026-2027
UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
A suction line accumulator should be used in a residential heating pump only when
recommended by the manufacturer if:
a. Long refrigerant lines increase system charge over recommended maximum charge
b. added oil dilution is required to maintain proper lubrication
c. the system has low vapor line pressure drop and accumulator is added to improve
efficiency
d. the system does not include a high pressure switch or time delay
CORRECT ANSWER
A. Long refrigerant lines increase system charge over recommended maximum charge
Question 2
What three things happen when a heat pump is cycled into its defrost mode?
a. reversing valve switches to the heating mode, and the outdoor fan is shut off and auxiliary
heat is energized
b. reversing valve switches to the cooling
mode, crankcase heat is de-energized and
1
,auxiliary heat is energized
c. reversing valves switches to the cooling mode, the outdoor fan is shut off and auxiliary
heat is energized
d.reversing valves switches to the heating mode, the outdoor fan is shut off and auxiliary
heat is de-energized
CORRECT ANSWER
c. reversing valves switches to the cooling mode, the outdoor fan is shut off and auxiliary
heat is energized
Question 3
Which of the following is a benefit in using an electronic air cleaner?
a. the ozone level is decreased
b. all odors are removed
c. the air cleaner will not require cleaning
d. indoor air quality (IAQ) is improved
CORRECT ANSWER
d. indoor air quality (IAQ) is improved
Question 4
A technician has the following conditions while checking a packaged heat pump in cooling.
2
,*The unit has a piston type metering device on both the indoor and outdoor coils
*Outdoor temperature 75 degrees F
*Superheat 55 degrees F
What is the diagnosis and corrective action?
a. the unit is low on charge refrigerant needs to be added
b. the unit is operating properly and no further repair is needed
c. the unit is overcharged and charge needs to be recovered
d. there is a problem with airflow over the indoor coil and the filter needs to be changed or
the blower repaired
CORRECT ANSWER
a. the unit is low on charge refrigerant needs to be added
Question 5
A Capacitor Start-Capacitor Run ( CSCR) motor has an open run capacitor. Will it start?
a. It may start, but it draws a higher than normal running current.
b. No, it would be unable to start without the run capacitor.
c. It can only start if the voltage is higher.
d. Yes, it will start, but it will run backwards.
CORRECT ANSWER
3
, a. It may start, but it draws a higher than normal running current.
Question 6
Why does the outdoor fan on a heat pump stop during defrost?
CORRECT ANSWER
a. minimize defrost time
b. decrease high side pressure
c. reduce compressor noise
d. increase defrost time
Question 7
A heat pump operates normally in first stage heating. The first and second stage bulb
appear to be calling
compressor continues to run, but the auxiliary electric heat does not come on. Which of the
following
be included as a likely source of the problem?
a. the indoor blower is defective
b. the second stage heating circuit is open
c. the outdoor thermostat is closed
4
VERIFIED ANSWERS|BRAND NEW 2026-2027
UPDATE|GRADED A+
Question 1
A suction line accumulator should be used in a residential heating pump only when
recommended by the manufacturer if:
a. Long refrigerant lines increase system charge over recommended maximum charge
b. added oil dilution is required to maintain proper lubrication
c. the system has low vapor line pressure drop and accumulator is added to improve
efficiency
d. the system does not include a high pressure switch or time delay
CORRECT ANSWER
A. Long refrigerant lines increase system charge over recommended maximum charge
Question 2
What three things happen when a heat pump is cycled into its defrost mode?
a. reversing valve switches to the heating mode, and the outdoor fan is shut off and auxiliary
heat is energized
b. reversing valve switches to the cooling
mode, crankcase heat is de-energized and
1
,auxiliary heat is energized
c. reversing valves switches to the cooling mode, the outdoor fan is shut off and auxiliary
heat is energized
d.reversing valves switches to the heating mode, the outdoor fan is shut off and auxiliary
heat is de-energized
CORRECT ANSWER
c. reversing valves switches to the cooling mode, the outdoor fan is shut off and auxiliary
heat is energized
Question 3
Which of the following is a benefit in using an electronic air cleaner?
a. the ozone level is decreased
b. all odors are removed
c. the air cleaner will not require cleaning
d. indoor air quality (IAQ) is improved
CORRECT ANSWER
d. indoor air quality (IAQ) is improved
Question 4
A technician has the following conditions while checking a packaged heat pump in cooling.
2
,*The unit has a piston type metering device on both the indoor and outdoor coils
*Outdoor temperature 75 degrees F
*Superheat 55 degrees F
What is the diagnosis and corrective action?
a. the unit is low on charge refrigerant needs to be added
b. the unit is operating properly and no further repair is needed
c. the unit is overcharged and charge needs to be recovered
d. there is a problem with airflow over the indoor coil and the filter needs to be changed or
the blower repaired
CORRECT ANSWER
a. the unit is low on charge refrigerant needs to be added
Question 5
A Capacitor Start-Capacitor Run ( CSCR) motor has an open run capacitor. Will it start?
a. It may start, but it draws a higher than normal running current.
b. No, it would be unable to start without the run capacitor.
c. It can only start if the voltage is higher.
d. Yes, it will start, but it will run backwards.
CORRECT ANSWER
3
, a. It may start, but it draws a higher than normal running current.
Question 6
Why does the outdoor fan on a heat pump stop during defrost?
CORRECT ANSWER
a. minimize defrost time
b. decrease high side pressure
c. reduce compressor noise
d. increase defrost time
Question 7
A heat pump operates normally in first stage heating. The first and second stage bulb
appear to be calling
compressor continues to run, but the auxiliary electric heat does not come on. Which of the
following
be included as a likely source of the problem?
a. the indoor blower is defective
b. the second stage heating circuit is open
c. the outdoor thermostat is closed
4
