Arizona AZ L-97 Geothermal
Systems Contractor Practice
Exam | Questions, Verified
Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Complete
Contractor License Exam Prep
Study Guide | Updated 2026
1. What is the primary purpose of a geothermal heat
pump system?
A. To generate electricity from groundwater
B. To transfer heat between a building and the earth
C. To permanently cool the ground
D. To increase groundwater pressure
Correct answer: To transfer heat between a building and
the earth
Rationale: A geothermal heat pump uses the relatively
stable temperature of the earth as a heat source in
heating mode and a heat sink in cooling mode.
2. Which component transfers heat between the
refrigerant and the ground loop?
A. Compressor
B. Expansion valve
C. Ground heat exchanger
D. Accumulator
Correct answer: Ground heat exchanger
,Rationale: The ground heat exchanger, commonly
consisting of buried piping, transfers thermal energy
between the circulating fluid and the surrounding earth.
3. What is a common circulating fluid used in closed-
loop geothermal systems?
A. Motor oil
B. Water or an approved antifreeze solution
C. Compressed air
D. Refrigerant only
Correct answer: Water or an approved antifreeze
solution
Rationale: Closed-loop systems commonly circulate
water or a water-based antifreeze mixture to prevent
freezing and provide efficient heat transfer.
4. In heating mode, a geothermal heat pump generally
removes heat from the:
A. Building
B. Atmosphere only
C. Ground loop
D. Compressor
Correct answer: Ground loop
Rationale: During heating, the heat pump extracts heat
from the ground loop and transfers it into the building.
5. In cooling mode, the geothermal heat pump generally
rejects heat to the:
A. Ground loop
B. Compressor
C. Indoor air
D. Expansion valve
,Correct answer: Ground loop
Rationale: In cooling mode, heat extracted from the
building is rejected through the ground heat exchanger.
6. What is the function of the compressor in a heat
pump?
A. To filter the loop water
B. To circulate groundwater
C. To raise the pressure and temperature of refrigerant vapor
D. To measure loop flow
Correct answer: To raise the pressure and temperature
of refrigerant vapor
Rationale: The compressor increases refrigerant
pressure, which also increases its saturation and
discharge temperature, allowing heat rejection at the
condenser.
7. What is the primary function of an expansion device?
A. Increase refrigerant pressure
B. Reduce refrigerant pressure and control refrigerant flow
C. Increase water pressure
D. Remove air from the loop
Correct answer: Reduce refrigerant pressure and control
refrigerant flow
Rationale: The expansion device meters refrigerant into
the evaporator while reducing its pressure and
temperature.
8. What does COP stand for in geothermal heat pump
performance?
, A. Cooling Operating Pressure
B. Coefficient of Performance
C. Compressor Output Percentage
D. Circulation Operating Point
Correct answer: Coefficient of Performance
Rationale: COP is a ratio comparing useful heating or
cooling output to electrical energy input under specified
operating conditions.
9. A higher heating COP generally indicates:
A. Lower heating efficiency
B. Greater heating efficiency
C. Higher refrigerant leakage
D. Lower heat transfer
Correct answer: Greater heating efficiency
Rationale: A higher COP means the system delivers
more useful heating output for each unit of electrical
energy consumed.
10. What is a major advantage of horizontal ground
loops?
A. They require no excavation
B. They can often be installed where sufficient land area is
available
C. They require no circulating pump
D. They always have higher efficiency than vertical loops
Correct answer: They can often be installed where
sufficient land area is available
Rationale: Horizontal loops are commonly installed in
trenches and can be economical where adequate land is
available for excavation.
Systems Contractor Practice
Exam | Questions, Verified
Answers & Detailed
Rationales | Complete
Contractor License Exam Prep
Study Guide | Updated 2026
1. What is the primary purpose of a geothermal heat
pump system?
A. To generate electricity from groundwater
B. To transfer heat between a building and the earth
C. To permanently cool the ground
D. To increase groundwater pressure
Correct answer: To transfer heat between a building and
the earth
Rationale: A geothermal heat pump uses the relatively
stable temperature of the earth as a heat source in
heating mode and a heat sink in cooling mode.
2. Which component transfers heat between the
refrigerant and the ground loop?
A. Compressor
B. Expansion valve
C. Ground heat exchanger
D. Accumulator
Correct answer: Ground heat exchanger
,Rationale: The ground heat exchanger, commonly
consisting of buried piping, transfers thermal energy
between the circulating fluid and the surrounding earth.
3. What is a common circulating fluid used in closed-
loop geothermal systems?
A. Motor oil
B. Water or an approved antifreeze solution
C. Compressed air
D. Refrigerant only
Correct answer: Water or an approved antifreeze
solution
Rationale: Closed-loop systems commonly circulate
water or a water-based antifreeze mixture to prevent
freezing and provide efficient heat transfer.
4. In heating mode, a geothermal heat pump generally
removes heat from the:
A. Building
B. Atmosphere only
C. Ground loop
D. Compressor
Correct answer: Ground loop
Rationale: During heating, the heat pump extracts heat
from the ground loop and transfers it into the building.
5. In cooling mode, the geothermal heat pump generally
rejects heat to the:
A. Ground loop
B. Compressor
C. Indoor air
D. Expansion valve
,Correct answer: Ground loop
Rationale: In cooling mode, heat extracted from the
building is rejected through the ground heat exchanger.
6. What is the function of the compressor in a heat
pump?
A. To filter the loop water
B. To circulate groundwater
C. To raise the pressure and temperature of refrigerant vapor
D. To measure loop flow
Correct answer: To raise the pressure and temperature
of refrigerant vapor
Rationale: The compressor increases refrigerant
pressure, which also increases its saturation and
discharge temperature, allowing heat rejection at the
condenser.
7. What is the primary function of an expansion device?
A. Increase refrigerant pressure
B. Reduce refrigerant pressure and control refrigerant flow
C. Increase water pressure
D. Remove air from the loop
Correct answer: Reduce refrigerant pressure and control
refrigerant flow
Rationale: The expansion device meters refrigerant into
the evaporator while reducing its pressure and
temperature.
8. What does COP stand for in geothermal heat pump
performance?
, A. Cooling Operating Pressure
B. Coefficient of Performance
C. Compressor Output Percentage
D. Circulation Operating Point
Correct answer: Coefficient of Performance
Rationale: COP is a ratio comparing useful heating or
cooling output to electrical energy input under specified
operating conditions.
9. A higher heating COP generally indicates:
A. Lower heating efficiency
B. Greater heating efficiency
C. Higher refrigerant leakage
D. Lower heat transfer
Correct answer: Greater heating efficiency
Rationale: A higher COP means the system delivers
more useful heating output for each unit of electrical
energy consumed.
10. What is a major advantage of horizontal ground
loops?
A. They require no excavation
B. They can often be installed where sufficient land area is
available
C. They require no circulating pump
D. They always have higher efficiency than vertical loops
Correct answer: They can often be installed where
sufficient land area is available
Rationale: Horizontal loops are commonly installed in
trenches and can be economical where adequate land is
available for excavation.
