NHIE 2026 SPRING PRACTICE TEST QUESTIONS WITH ACCURATE SOLUTIONS
Which is the best example of heat flow by conduction?
A. Heat flowing from the inside to the outside of a radiator
B. Heat flowing from a forced-air supply register
C. Heat flowing from a steam boiler inside pipes
D. Heat flowing from a floor furnace
Correct Answer: Heat flowing from the inside to the outside of a radiator
Feedback: Heat moves through solid objects. NHIEM15 pg327; NHIEM19V1 p. 254
https://o.quizlet.com/dEJENBK8zzy.c9JTEJ-aUg.png
What is the likely cause of the rust staining on this 92% efficient furnace?
A. Air conditioning condensate leakage from plenum
B. Plenum condensation due to excessively high humidity in the basement
C. Furnace condensate collection tray leakage
D. Frozen evaporator coil due to low refrigerant
Correct Answer: Furnace condensate collection tray leakage
Feedback: From personal experience I have found several with either a loose joint or a
cracked housing.General consensus of the group of Subject Matter Experts.
The flame from a properly adjusted oil burner should be what color?
A. Blue with red tips.
B. Red with blue tips.
,C. White with yellow tips.
D. Yellow with white tips.
Correct Answer: White with yellow tips. Feedback: NHIEM19V1 p. 202
A gas-fired furnace with a stamped metal clamshell heat exchanger most often fails from
A. Condensation from the evaporator coil
B. metal fatigue
C. Excessive gas pressure
D. lack use and age
B. metal fatigue
What is the minimum gap in a crawlspace soil floor to the bottom of a supply or return air
duct
A. Minimum of 4" above the floor in the crawlspace
B. Half the distance between the bottom of the floor joist and soil
C. Minimum of 8"above the floor in the crawlspace
D. Any distance above the potential flood water level likely to be present
A. Minimum of 4" above the floor in the crawlspace
What is the minimum distance between a furnace/air handler and a return air vent?
A. 6'
B. 8'
C. 10'
,D. 12'
C. 10'
While inspecting the furnace you detect very high levels of carbon monoxide at the supply
air registers. You should:
A. Advise that everyone run out the house for safety
B. Immediately shut off the main gas valve to disable the unit
C. Open windows, shut down systems, and advise immediate evaluation by an HVAC
contractor
D. Explain that the unit will need servicing in the future to prolong its life
C. Open windows, shut down systems, and advise immediate evaluation by an HVAC
contractor
When installing flexible supply air ducts under a floor joist space, the minimum
requirement for the proper strapping sequence is generally
A. 1 1/2" wide and at 4' spacing
B. 3/4" wide and 6' spacing
C. 1 1/2" wide and 6' spacing
D. 3/4" wide and 6' spacing
A. 1 1/2" wide and at 4' spacing
Which of the following locations would be best for the thermostat of a heat pump in the
cooling mode?
A. interior hallway
, B. kitchen near a supply vent
C. basement near the air handler
D. master bedroom
A. interior hallway
There is a crack at the upper corner on the lock side of an interior door. The crack gets wider
as it runs toward the ceiling. The door scrapes against the lock-side jamb. What is the BEST
recommendation in this situation?
A. Repair by a handyman.
B. Evaluation by a contractor.
C. Repair by a contractor.
D. Evaluation by an engineer.
Correct Answer: Evaluation by an engineer.
Feedback: NHIE19 V2 p. 411
Which of the following is the LEAST important to report when inspecting through the wall air
conditioning units?
A. Moisture leakage into the wall cavity
B. The fan is making a squealing noise
C. Excessive rust noted on components
D. There was only a 15 degree temperature spread
Correct Answer: There was only a 15 degree temperature spread
Feedback: 15 to 20 degree temperature spread is normal. The other three answers are
reportable defects. See NHIE Mechanical Manual page 240
Which is the best example of heat flow by conduction?
A. Heat flowing from the inside to the outside of a radiator
B. Heat flowing from a forced-air supply register
C. Heat flowing from a steam boiler inside pipes
D. Heat flowing from a floor furnace
Correct Answer: Heat flowing from the inside to the outside of a radiator
Feedback: Heat moves through solid objects. NHIEM15 pg327; NHIEM19V1 p. 254
https://o.quizlet.com/dEJENBK8zzy.c9JTEJ-aUg.png
What is the likely cause of the rust staining on this 92% efficient furnace?
A. Air conditioning condensate leakage from plenum
B. Plenum condensation due to excessively high humidity in the basement
C. Furnace condensate collection tray leakage
D. Frozen evaporator coil due to low refrigerant
Correct Answer: Furnace condensate collection tray leakage
Feedback: From personal experience I have found several with either a loose joint or a
cracked housing.General consensus of the group of Subject Matter Experts.
The flame from a properly adjusted oil burner should be what color?
A. Blue with red tips.
B. Red with blue tips.
,C. White with yellow tips.
D. Yellow with white tips.
Correct Answer: White with yellow tips. Feedback: NHIEM19V1 p. 202
A gas-fired furnace with a stamped metal clamshell heat exchanger most often fails from
A. Condensation from the evaporator coil
B. metal fatigue
C. Excessive gas pressure
D. lack use and age
B. metal fatigue
What is the minimum gap in a crawlspace soil floor to the bottom of a supply or return air
duct
A. Minimum of 4" above the floor in the crawlspace
B. Half the distance between the bottom of the floor joist and soil
C. Minimum of 8"above the floor in the crawlspace
D. Any distance above the potential flood water level likely to be present
A. Minimum of 4" above the floor in the crawlspace
What is the minimum distance between a furnace/air handler and a return air vent?
A. 6'
B. 8'
C. 10'
,D. 12'
C. 10'
While inspecting the furnace you detect very high levels of carbon monoxide at the supply
air registers. You should:
A. Advise that everyone run out the house for safety
B. Immediately shut off the main gas valve to disable the unit
C. Open windows, shut down systems, and advise immediate evaluation by an HVAC
contractor
D. Explain that the unit will need servicing in the future to prolong its life
C. Open windows, shut down systems, and advise immediate evaluation by an HVAC
contractor
When installing flexible supply air ducts under a floor joist space, the minimum
requirement for the proper strapping sequence is generally
A. 1 1/2" wide and at 4' spacing
B. 3/4" wide and 6' spacing
C. 1 1/2" wide and 6' spacing
D. 3/4" wide and 6' spacing
A. 1 1/2" wide and at 4' spacing
Which of the following locations would be best for the thermostat of a heat pump in the
cooling mode?
A. interior hallway
, B. kitchen near a supply vent
C. basement near the air handler
D. master bedroom
A. interior hallway
There is a crack at the upper corner on the lock side of an interior door. The crack gets wider
as it runs toward the ceiling. The door scrapes against the lock-side jamb. What is the BEST
recommendation in this situation?
A. Repair by a handyman.
B. Evaluation by a contractor.
C. Repair by a contractor.
D. Evaluation by an engineer.
Correct Answer: Evaluation by an engineer.
Feedback: NHIE19 V2 p. 411
Which of the following is the LEAST important to report when inspecting through the wall air
conditioning units?
A. Moisture leakage into the wall cavity
B. The fan is making a squealing noise
C. Excessive rust noted on components
D. There was only a 15 degree temperature spread
Correct Answer: There was only a 15 degree temperature spread
Feedback: 15 to 20 degree temperature spread is normal. The other three answers are
reportable defects. See NHIE Mechanical Manual page 240
