Georgia HVAC Contractor Exam 2026 – 190 Practice Questions with
Answers & Detailed Rationales, Load Calculations, Refrigeration,
Electrical Controls, Duct Design, Mechanical Codes, EPA 608, Safety
& Georgia Licensing Law
LOAD CALCULATIONS
Question 1
A Manual J load calculation for a 2,200 sq ft residence in Atlanta yields a total cooling load of
36,000 Btu/h and a heating load of 58,000 Btu/h. The homeowner wants a single system.
What is the most critical consideration when selecting equipment?
A. The cooling capacity should be selected first, then heating capacity added as a
supplement.
B. Equipment must be selected to meet both loads without significant oversizing for cooling.
C. Heating capacity is irrelevant in Georgia because winters are mild.
D. The system should be oversized by 20% to account for future additions.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Equipment must satisfy both heating and cooling loads; oversizing cooling
causes humidity and efficiency problems. Manual S guides selection.
Question 2
A contractor performs a Manual J calculation and obtains a cooling load of 24,000 Btu/h. The
available equipment sizes are 24,000 Btu/h and 30,000 Btu/h. The next step should be to:
A. Select the 30,000 Btu/h unit because contractors should always add 25% capacity.
,B. Select the 24,000 Btu/h unit only if the sensible and latent capacities match the load.
C. Select the 30,000 Btu/h unit and adjust airflow to reduce capacity.
D. Recalculate the load because 24,000 Btu/h is too small for any residence.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Equipment selection requires matching both total and sensible/latent capacities
to the calculated load, not simply choosing the next size up.
Question 3
Which factor has the greatest impact on the heating load calculation for a home in north
Georgia?
A. Internal gains from occupants and appliances.
B. Solar radiation through south-facing windows.
C. Temperature difference between indoor and outdoor design conditions.
D. Latent heat from infiltration.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Heating load is driven by sensible heat loss through the envelope; ΔT is the
primary multiplier in U × A × ΔT.
Question 4
A Manual J calculation shows a total cooling load of 30,000 Btu/h with a sensible load of
24,000 Btu/h. The selected equipment has a total capacity of 30,000 Btu/h and a sensible
capacity of 22,000 Btu/h at design conditions. What is the most likely outcome?
,A. The system will maintain the desired temperature but with poor humidity control.
B. The system will not maintain the desired temperature on design days.
C. The system will short-cycle and remove excess moisture.
D. The system will operate at reduced efficiency but maintain comfort.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Sensible capacity must meet or exceed sensible load; a deficit means the
system cannot maintain temperature at design conditions.
Question 5
When performing a load calculation, which of the following is NOT typically included as an
internal gain?
A. Body heat from occupants.
B. Heat from kitchen appliances.
C. Heat gain through ductwork located in unconditioned space.
D. Lighting heat.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Duct gains are system loads, not internal gains; internal gains originate within
the conditioned space.
Question 6
, A Manual J calculation uses an outdoor design temperature of 92°F for cooling. The indoor
design temperature is 75°F. What is the temperature difference (ΔT) used for envelope heat
gain calculations?
A. 75°F
B. 92°F
C. 17°F
D. 167°F
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: ΔT is outdoor design temperature minus indoor design temperature: 92 − 75 =
17°F.
Question 7
A contractor is calculating the heat loss for a slab-on-grade floor. Which factor is most
important in determining the heat loss through the slab edge?
A. The R-value of the slab itself.
B. The perimeter length and insulation of the slab edge.
C. The color of the slab surface.
D. The total floor area.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Slab heat loss occurs primarily at the perimeter; edge insulation and perimeter
length dominate the calculation.
Answers & Detailed Rationales, Load Calculations, Refrigeration,
Electrical Controls, Duct Design, Mechanical Codes, EPA 608, Safety
& Georgia Licensing Law
LOAD CALCULATIONS
Question 1
A Manual J load calculation for a 2,200 sq ft residence in Atlanta yields a total cooling load of
36,000 Btu/h and a heating load of 58,000 Btu/h. The homeowner wants a single system.
What is the most critical consideration when selecting equipment?
A. The cooling capacity should be selected first, then heating capacity added as a
supplement.
B. Equipment must be selected to meet both loads without significant oversizing for cooling.
C. Heating capacity is irrelevant in Georgia because winters are mild.
D. The system should be oversized by 20% to account for future additions.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Equipment must satisfy both heating and cooling loads; oversizing cooling
causes humidity and efficiency problems. Manual S guides selection.
Question 2
A contractor performs a Manual J calculation and obtains a cooling load of 24,000 Btu/h. The
available equipment sizes are 24,000 Btu/h and 30,000 Btu/h. The next step should be to:
A. Select the 30,000 Btu/h unit because contractors should always add 25% capacity.
,B. Select the 24,000 Btu/h unit only if the sensible and latent capacities match the load.
C. Select the 30,000 Btu/h unit and adjust airflow to reduce capacity.
D. Recalculate the load because 24,000 Btu/h is too small for any residence.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Equipment selection requires matching both total and sensible/latent capacities
to the calculated load, not simply choosing the next size up.
Question 3
Which factor has the greatest impact on the heating load calculation for a home in north
Georgia?
A. Internal gains from occupants and appliances.
B. Solar radiation through south-facing windows.
C. Temperature difference between indoor and outdoor design conditions.
D. Latent heat from infiltration.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Heating load is driven by sensible heat loss through the envelope; ΔT is the
primary multiplier in U × A × ΔT.
Question 4
A Manual J calculation shows a total cooling load of 30,000 Btu/h with a sensible load of
24,000 Btu/h. The selected equipment has a total capacity of 30,000 Btu/h and a sensible
capacity of 22,000 Btu/h at design conditions. What is the most likely outcome?
,A. The system will maintain the desired temperature but with poor humidity control.
B. The system will not maintain the desired temperature on design days.
C. The system will short-cycle and remove excess moisture.
D. The system will operate at reduced efficiency but maintain comfort.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Sensible capacity must meet or exceed sensible load; a deficit means the
system cannot maintain temperature at design conditions.
Question 5
When performing a load calculation, which of the following is NOT typically included as an
internal gain?
A. Body heat from occupants.
B. Heat from kitchen appliances.
C. Heat gain through ductwork located in unconditioned space.
D. Lighting heat.
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: Duct gains are system loads, not internal gains; internal gains originate within
the conditioned space.
Question 6
, A Manual J calculation uses an outdoor design temperature of 92°F for cooling. The indoor
design temperature is 75°F. What is the temperature difference (ΔT) used for envelope heat
gain calculations?
A. 75°F
B. 92°F
C. 17°F
D. 167°F
Correct Answer: C
Explanation: ΔT is outdoor design temperature minus indoor design temperature: 92 − 75 =
17°F.
Question 7
A contractor is calculating the heat loss for a slab-on-grade floor. Which factor is most
important in determining the heat loss through the slab edge?
A. The R-value of the slab itself.
B. The perimeter length and insulation of the slab edge.
C. The color of the slab surface.
D. The total floor area.
Correct Answer: B
Explanation: Slab heat loss occurs primarily at the perimeter; edge insulation and perimeter
length dominate the calculation.
