NATE Heat Pump Specialty Certification
Practice Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1. What is the primary function of a heat pump?
A. To generate electricity
B. To heat and cool spaces
C. To store thermal energy
D. To filter air
B. To heat and cool spaces
Rationale: Heat pumps transfer heat from one area to another, allowing
for both heating and cooling functions.
2. Which refrigerant is commonly used in modern residential heat pumps?
A. R-22
B. R-134a
,C. R-410A
D. R-12
C. R-410A
Rationale: R-410A is widely used due to its efficiency and environmental
safety compared to older refrigerants.
3. What component reverses the flow of refrigerant in a heat pump?
A. Expansion valve
B. Reversing valve
C. Compressor
D. Condenser coil
B. Reversing valve
Rationale: The reversing valve allows a heat pump to switch between
heating and cooling modes.
4. What is the purpose of the auxiliary or backup heat in a heat pump
system?
A. Provide cooling
B. Provide additional heating when the heat pump cannot meet demand
C. Improve efficiency
D. Reduce refrigerant pressure
B. Provide additional heating when the heat pump cannot meet demand
Rationale: Auxiliary heat, often electric, supplements the heat pump
during extremely cold conditions.
,5. Which type of heat pump extracts heat from the air?
A. Ground-source heat pump
B. Air-source heat pump
C. Water-source heat pump
D. Geothermal heat pump
B. Air-source heat pump
Rationale: Air-source heat pumps transfer heat between the indoor space
and outside air.
6. What is the primary disadvantage of an air-source heat pump in very cold
climates?
A. High installation cost
B. Reduced efficiency and heating capacity
C. Excessive noise
D. Increased humidity
B. Reduced efficiency and heating capacity
Rationale: As outdoor temperatures drop, air-source heat pumps lose
efficiency and may require backup heating.
7. What is the typical location for the outdoor unit of an air-source heat
pump?
A. Inside the basement
B. On the roof or outside near the home
C. In the attic
D. In the crawl space
, B. On the roof or outside near the home
Rationale: Outdoor units are placed outside to absorb or reject heat to the
environment.
8. What effect does a dirty air filter have on a heat pump?
A. Improves efficiency
B. Reduces airflow and efficiency
C. Increases refrigerant pressure
D. Cools the system
B. Reduces airflow and efficiency
Rationale: Restricted airflow forces the system to work harder, reducing
efficiency and potentially causing damage.
9. What is the main function of the indoor coil in a heat pump system?
A. To compress refrigerant
B. To exchange heat with indoor air
C. To store energy
D. To reverse refrigerant flow
B. To exchange heat with indoor air
Rationale: The indoor coil transfers heat between the refrigerant and the
indoor air depending on mode.
10. What is the typical operating temperature range for a heat pump in
heating mode?
A. 40–120°F
B. 90–140°F
Practice Exam Questions And Correct
Answers (Verified Answers) Plus
Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. What is the primary function of a heat pump?
A. To generate electricity
B. To heat and cool spaces
C. To store thermal energy
D. To filter air
B. To heat and cool spaces
Rationale: Heat pumps transfer heat from one area to another, allowing
for both heating and cooling functions.
2. Which refrigerant is commonly used in modern residential heat pumps?
A. R-22
B. R-134a
,C. R-410A
D. R-12
C. R-410A
Rationale: R-410A is widely used due to its efficiency and environmental
safety compared to older refrigerants.
3. What component reverses the flow of refrigerant in a heat pump?
A. Expansion valve
B. Reversing valve
C. Compressor
D. Condenser coil
B. Reversing valve
Rationale: The reversing valve allows a heat pump to switch between
heating and cooling modes.
4. What is the purpose of the auxiliary or backup heat in a heat pump
system?
A. Provide cooling
B. Provide additional heating when the heat pump cannot meet demand
C. Improve efficiency
D. Reduce refrigerant pressure
B. Provide additional heating when the heat pump cannot meet demand
Rationale: Auxiliary heat, often electric, supplements the heat pump
during extremely cold conditions.
,5. Which type of heat pump extracts heat from the air?
A. Ground-source heat pump
B. Air-source heat pump
C. Water-source heat pump
D. Geothermal heat pump
B. Air-source heat pump
Rationale: Air-source heat pumps transfer heat between the indoor space
and outside air.
6. What is the primary disadvantage of an air-source heat pump in very cold
climates?
A. High installation cost
B. Reduced efficiency and heating capacity
C. Excessive noise
D. Increased humidity
B. Reduced efficiency and heating capacity
Rationale: As outdoor temperatures drop, air-source heat pumps lose
efficiency and may require backup heating.
7. What is the typical location for the outdoor unit of an air-source heat
pump?
A. Inside the basement
B. On the roof or outside near the home
C. In the attic
D. In the crawl space
, B. On the roof or outside near the home
Rationale: Outdoor units are placed outside to absorb or reject heat to the
environment.
8. What effect does a dirty air filter have on a heat pump?
A. Improves efficiency
B. Reduces airflow and efficiency
C. Increases refrigerant pressure
D. Cools the system
B. Reduces airflow and efficiency
Rationale: Restricted airflow forces the system to work harder, reducing
efficiency and potentially causing damage.
9. What is the main function of the indoor coil in a heat pump system?
A. To compress refrigerant
B. To exchange heat with indoor air
C. To store energy
D. To reverse refrigerant flow
B. To exchange heat with indoor air
Rationale: The indoor coil transfers heat between the refrigerant and the
indoor air depending on mode.
10. What is the typical operating temperature range for a heat pump in
heating mode?
A. 40–120°F
B. 90–140°F
