NYC Health + Hospitals HVAC
Technician Exam Practice Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant
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1. A central air-conditioning system in a hospital uses a chilled-water
loop to cool supply air. Which component is primarily responsible for
transferring heat from the chilled water to the air passing through the
air handling unit?
A. Compressor
B. Condenser
C. Cooling coil
D. Expansion valve
Correct Answer: C. Cooling coil
The cooling coil transfers heat from the air stream to the chilled water
flowing through the coil. In a hospital HVAC system, this process removes
sensible and latent heat from supply air before it is distributed throughout
the building.
2. In a refrigeration system, the compressor performs which primary
function?
,A. Removes moisture from the evaporator
B. Raises refrigerant pressure and temperature
C. Reduces refrigerant pressure before entering the evaporator
D. Transfers heat directly into the conditioned space
Correct Answer: B. Raises refrigerant pressure and temperature
The compressor pumps refrigerant through the system by compressing
low-pressure vapor into a high-pressure, high-temperature vapor that can
release heat in the condenser.
3. A hospital HVAC technician measures voltage across a contactor coil
and finds zero volts when the thermostat calls for cooling. What is the
most likely problem?
A. The compressor has failed mechanically
B. The refrigerant charge is too high
C. The control circuit is not supplying power to the coil
D. The condenser fan blade is damaged
Correct Answer: C. The control circuit is not supplying power to the coil
A contactor coil requires control voltage to energize. If no voltage is
present during a cooling call, the technician should troubleshoot the
thermostat, wiring, safety controls, and transformer circuit.
4. Which refrigerant component changes a high-pressure liquid into a
low-pressure mixture before entering the evaporator?
A. Condenser
B. Expansion valve
C. Receiver
D. Accumulator
Correct Answer: B. Expansion valve
,The expansion valve reduces refrigerant pressure, allowing the refrigerant
to absorb heat efficiently as it enters the evaporator.
5. The main purpose of an HVAC preventive maintenance program in a
healthcare facility is to:
A. Eliminate all equipment replacement costs
B. Increase equipment failures for testing purposes
C. Maintain reliability, efficiency, and patient comfort
D. Reduce the need for trained technicians
Correct Answer: C. Maintain reliability, efficiency, and patient comfort
Preventive maintenance reduces unexpected failures, improves system
efficiency, and supports the strict temperature, humidity, and air-quality
requirements of healthcare environments.
6. Which instrument is used to measure electrical current flowing
through an HVAC component?
A. Manometer
B. Clamp meter
C. Psychrometer
D. Micrometer
Correct Answer: B. Clamp meter
A clamp meter measures electrical current by clamping around a conductor
without disconnecting the circuit, making it useful for HVAC
troubleshooting.
7. In a forced-air HVAC system, the blower motor’s primary purpose is
to:
A. Compress refrigerant
B. Move conditioned air through ductwork
, C. Heat refrigerant vapor
D. Remove contaminants from refrigerant
Correct Answer: B. Move conditioned air through ductwork
The blower motor drives the fan that circulates air through filters, coils,
ducts, and occupied spaces.
8. A dirty air filter in an air handling unit will most likely cause:
A. Increased airflow
B. Reduced static pressure
C. Reduced airflow and increased energy use
D. Lower motor operating temperature
Correct Answer: C. Reduced airflow and increased energy use
A clogged filter restricts airflow, forcing fans and motors to work harder
while reducing HVAC performance and occupant comfort.
9. Which type of motor is commonly used for HVAC blower applications
because of its efficiency and variable-speed capability?
A. ECM motor
B. Universal motor
C. Stepper motor
D. Hydraulic motor
Correct Answer: A. ECM motor
Electronically commutated motors provide improved efficiency and allow
precise speed control in modern HVAC equipment.
10. A thermostat in a basic HVAC system functions primarily as a:
A. Refrigerant storage device
B. Temperature sensing and control device
Technician Exam Practice Questions
And Correct Answers (Verified Answers)
Plus Rationale 2026 Q&A| Instant
Download Pdf
1. A central air-conditioning system in a hospital uses a chilled-water
loop to cool supply air. Which component is primarily responsible for
transferring heat from the chilled water to the air passing through the
air handling unit?
A. Compressor
B. Condenser
C. Cooling coil
D. Expansion valve
Correct Answer: C. Cooling coil
The cooling coil transfers heat from the air stream to the chilled water
flowing through the coil. In a hospital HVAC system, this process removes
sensible and latent heat from supply air before it is distributed throughout
the building.
2. In a refrigeration system, the compressor performs which primary
function?
,A. Removes moisture from the evaporator
B. Raises refrigerant pressure and temperature
C. Reduces refrigerant pressure before entering the evaporator
D. Transfers heat directly into the conditioned space
Correct Answer: B. Raises refrigerant pressure and temperature
The compressor pumps refrigerant through the system by compressing
low-pressure vapor into a high-pressure, high-temperature vapor that can
release heat in the condenser.
3. A hospital HVAC technician measures voltage across a contactor coil
and finds zero volts when the thermostat calls for cooling. What is the
most likely problem?
A. The compressor has failed mechanically
B. The refrigerant charge is too high
C. The control circuit is not supplying power to the coil
D. The condenser fan blade is damaged
Correct Answer: C. The control circuit is not supplying power to the coil
A contactor coil requires control voltage to energize. If no voltage is
present during a cooling call, the technician should troubleshoot the
thermostat, wiring, safety controls, and transformer circuit.
4. Which refrigerant component changes a high-pressure liquid into a
low-pressure mixture before entering the evaporator?
A. Condenser
B. Expansion valve
C. Receiver
D. Accumulator
Correct Answer: B. Expansion valve
,The expansion valve reduces refrigerant pressure, allowing the refrigerant
to absorb heat efficiently as it enters the evaporator.
5. The main purpose of an HVAC preventive maintenance program in a
healthcare facility is to:
A. Eliminate all equipment replacement costs
B. Increase equipment failures for testing purposes
C. Maintain reliability, efficiency, and patient comfort
D. Reduce the need for trained technicians
Correct Answer: C. Maintain reliability, efficiency, and patient comfort
Preventive maintenance reduces unexpected failures, improves system
efficiency, and supports the strict temperature, humidity, and air-quality
requirements of healthcare environments.
6. Which instrument is used to measure electrical current flowing
through an HVAC component?
A. Manometer
B. Clamp meter
C. Psychrometer
D. Micrometer
Correct Answer: B. Clamp meter
A clamp meter measures electrical current by clamping around a conductor
without disconnecting the circuit, making it useful for HVAC
troubleshooting.
7. In a forced-air HVAC system, the blower motor’s primary purpose is
to:
A. Compress refrigerant
B. Move conditioned air through ductwork
, C. Heat refrigerant vapor
D. Remove contaminants from refrigerant
Correct Answer: B. Move conditioned air through ductwork
The blower motor drives the fan that circulates air through filters, coils,
ducts, and occupied spaces.
8. A dirty air filter in an air handling unit will most likely cause:
A. Increased airflow
B. Reduced static pressure
C. Reduced airflow and increased energy use
D. Lower motor operating temperature
Correct Answer: C. Reduced airflow and increased energy use
A clogged filter restricts airflow, forcing fans and motors to work harder
while reducing HVAC performance and occupant comfort.
9. Which type of motor is commonly used for HVAC blower applications
because of its efficiency and variable-speed capability?
A. ECM motor
B. Universal motor
C. Stepper motor
D. Hydraulic motor
Correct Answer: A. ECM motor
Electronically commutated motors provide improved efficiency and allow
precise speed control in modern HVAC equipment.
10. A thermostat in a basic HVAC system functions primarily as a:
A. Refrigerant storage device
B. Temperature sensing and control device
