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NYC Health + Hospitals HVAC Technician
Examination Practice Exam 2026 | 100
Questions & Answers with Detailed
Rationales | Complete Exam Prep &
Study Guide
1. What is the primary purpose of an HVAC system in a healthcare facility?
A. To provide lighting
B. To control temperature, humidity, air movement, and indoor air quality
C. To supply domestic water
D. To operate elevators
Answer: To control temperature, humidity, air movement, and indoor air quality
Rationale: HVAC systems in healthcare facilities are essential for maintaining
thermal comfort, controlling humidity, supporting ventilation, and maintaining
appropriate indoor air quality.
2. Which refrigerant-side component removes heat from indoor air?
A. Condenser
B. Compressor
C. Evaporator
D. Receiver
Answer: Evaporator
,Rationale: The evaporator absorbs heat from the air or process fluid as
refrigerant changes from a liquid to a vapor.
3. What is the primary function of a compressor in a refrigeration system?
A. Reduce refrigerant pressure
B. Increase refrigerant pressure and circulate refrigerant
C. Remove moisture from air
D. Filter outdoor air
Answer: Increase refrigerant pressure and circulate refrigerant
Rationale: The compressor raises the pressure and temperature of refrigerant
vapor and drives refrigerant through the system.
4. Which component rejects heat from the refrigerant to the surrounding
environment?
A. Evaporator
B. Expansion valve
C. Condenser
D. Accumulator
Answer: Condenser
Rationale: The condenser removes heat from high-pressure refrigerant vapor
and converts it into a liquid.
5. What is the purpose of a thermostatic expansion valve (TXV)?
A. Increase compressor speed
B. Meter refrigerant into the evaporator
C. Remove contaminants from refrigerant
D. Increase condenser airflow
Answer: Meter refrigerant into the evaporator
,Rationale: A TXV regulates refrigerant flow into the evaporator based primarily
on evaporator superheat.
6. What does superheat describe?
A. Liquid refrigerant below its boiling point
B. Vapor refrigerant heated above its saturation temperature
C. Condenser temperature below ambient
D. Air temperature above room temperature
Answer: Vapor refrigerant heated above its saturation temperature
Rationale: Superheat is the temperature of a vapor above its saturation
temperature at a given pressure.
7. What does subcooling indicate?
A. Vapor heated above saturation
B. Liquid cooled below its saturation temperature
C. Air cooled below freezing
D. Compressor overheating
Answer: Liquid cooled below its saturation temperature
Rationale: Subcooling is the amount by which liquid refrigerant temperature is
below its saturation temperature at the measured pressure.
8. What instrument is commonly used to measure refrigerant pressure?
A. Psychrometer
B. Manifold gauge set
C. Megohmmeter
D. Tachometer
Answer: Manifold gauge set
, Rationale: Refrigeration manifold gauges allow technicians to measure system
suction and discharge pressures and connect service hoses for appropriate
service procedures.
9. What is the main purpose of an air filter in an air-handling system?
A. Increase refrigerant pressure
B. Remove airborne particles from the airstream
C. Heat refrigerant
D. Increase compressor capacity
Answer: Remove airborne particles from the airstream
Rationale: Filters capture dust, dirt, and other airborne particles before air
reaches occupied spaces or HVAC components.
10.Why is proper filter maintenance particularly important in a hospital?
A. It eliminates all electrical hazards
B. It helps maintain indoor air quality and protects HVAC equipment
C. It increases plumbing pressure
D. It replaces the need for ventilation
Answer: It helps maintain indoor air quality and protects HVAC equipment
Rationale: Clean filters support airflow and particle removal while reducing
contamination and protecting coils and other HVAC components.
11.What is the purpose of a cooling coil in an air-handling unit?
A. Heat air
B. Cool and often dehumidify air
C. Increase refrigerant pressure
D. Generate electricity
Answer: Cool and often dehumidify air
NYC Health + Hospitals HVAC Technician
Examination Practice Exam 2026 | 100
Questions & Answers with Detailed
Rationales | Complete Exam Prep &
Study Guide
1. What is the primary purpose of an HVAC system in a healthcare facility?
A. To provide lighting
B. To control temperature, humidity, air movement, and indoor air quality
C. To supply domestic water
D. To operate elevators
Answer: To control temperature, humidity, air movement, and indoor air quality
Rationale: HVAC systems in healthcare facilities are essential for maintaining
thermal comfort, controlling humidity, supporting ventilation, and maintaining
appropriate indoor air quality.
2. Which refrigerant-side component removes heat from indoor air?
A. Condenser
B. Compressor
C. Evaporator
D. Receiver
Answer: Evaporator
,Rationale: The evaporator absorbs heat from the air or process fluid as
refrigerant changes from a liquid to a vapor.
3. What is the primary function of a compressor in a refrigeration system?
A. Reduce refrigerant pressure
B. Increase refrigerant pressure and circulate refrigerant
C. Remove moisture from air
D. Filter outdoor air
Answer: Increase refrigerant pressure and circulate refrigerant
Rationale: The compressor raises the pressure and temperature of refrigerant
vapor and drives refrigerant through the system.
4. Which component rejects heat from the refrigerant to the surrounding
environment?
A. Evaporator
B. Expansion valve
C. Condenser
D. Accumulator
Answer: Condenser
Rationale: The condenser removes heat from high-pressure refrigerant vapor
and converts it into a liquid.
5. What is the purpose of a thermostatic expansion valve (TXV)?
A. Increase compressor speed
B. Meter refrigerant into the evaporator
C. Remove contaminants from refrigerant
D. Increase condenser airflow
Answer: Meter refrigerant into the evaporator
,Rationale: A TXV regulates refrigerant flow into the evaporator based primarily
on evaporator superheat.
6. What does superheat describe?
A. Liquid refrigerant below its boiling point
B. Vapor refrigerant heated above its saturation temperature
C. Condenser temperature below ambient
D. Air temperature above room temperature
Answer: Vapor refrigerant heated above its saturation temperature
Rationale: Superheat is the temperature of a vapor above its saturation
temperature at a given pressure.
7. What does subcooling indicate?
A. Vapor heated above saturation
B. Liquid cooled below its saturation temperature
C. Air cooled below freezing
D. Compressor overheating
Answer: Liquid cooled below its saturation temperature
Rationale: Subcooling is the amount by which liquid refrigerant temperature is
below its saturation temperature at the measured pressure.
8. What instrument is commonly used to measure refrigerant pressure?
A. Psychrometer
B. Manifold gauge set
C. Megohmmeter
D. Tachometer
Answer: Manifold gauge set
, Rationale: Refrigeration manifold gauges allow technicians to measure system
suction and discharge pressures and connect service hoses for appropriate
service procedures.
9. What is the main purpose of an air filter in an air-handling system?
A. Increase refrigerant pressure
B. Remove airborne particles from the airstream
C. Heat refrigerant
D. Increase compressor capacity
Answer: Remove airborne particles from the airstream
Rationale: Filters capture dust, dirt, and other airborne particles before air
reaches occupied spaces or HVAC components.
10.Why is proper filter maintenance particularly important in a hospital?
A. It eliminates all electrical hazards
B. It helps maintain indoor air quality and protects HVAC equipment
C. It increases plumbing pressure
D. It replaces the need for ventilation
Answer: It helps maintain indoor air quality and protects HVAC equipment
Rationale: Clean filters support airflow and particle removal while reducing
contamination and protecting coils and other HVAC components.
11.What is the purpose of a cooling coil in an air-handling unit?
A. Heat air
B. Cool and often dehumidify air
C. Increase refrigerant pressure
D. Generate electricity
Answer: Cool and often dehumidify air
