BPI Test Questions and Answers
1st Law of Thermodynamics - ANSWER-energy moves from place to place; energy
changes form one form to another; energy cannot be created or destroyed
Energy moves around and changes form.
2nd Law of Thermodynamics - ANSWER-energy flows naturally from high
concentrations to low concentrations
HEAT moves from warmer to cooler; AIR moves from higher pressure to lower
pressure; MOISTURE moves from wetter to drier
Active solar or Solar Thermal - ANSWER-uses solar energy to heat water
AFUE applies to - ANSWER-furnaces and boilers
AFUE ratings range from - ANSWER-68% to 72% on old, low-efficiency appliance all
the way up to 97% on high-efficiency models
Air conditioner refrigerant - ANSWER-readily changes form from a liquid to a gas, and
vice versa. The refrigerant transfers heat from indoor air to out door air
Air exchange Rate - ANSWER-the number of time the interior volume of air changes
over in one hour (air changes per hour, or ACH).
Formula: ACH = CFM x 60 / volume
air flow - ANSWER-the movement of air; air transfer
airborne moisture - ANSWER-as heat moves through air (convection), so too does
moisture. it's the fastest and easiest way moisture moves around the home
Annual Fuel Utiliztion Efficiency (AFUE) - ANSWER-the efficiency of a furnace or boiler
is most commonly expressed
This is a measure of how efficiently the appliance converts fuel to heat, on average,
over typical year
expressed as a percentage; it is the ratio between the appliance's output capacity
compared to it's input capacity
Assessing Existing Insulation - ANSWER-Good: no gaps or imperfections are present
Fair: there are gaps in over 2.5% of the insulated area; this equals a 3/8-inch space
along a 14.5-inch batt
,Poor: there are gaps in over 5% of the insulated area; this equals a 3/4-inch space
along a 14.5-inch batt.
Atmospheric Vent - ANSWER-combustion by-products exhaust from the house up
through a chimney by the stack effect due to natural buoyancy of hot gases
Attached garage - ANSWER-BPI first priority for air sealing between the garage and
house bc of occupant health and safety
average R-value - ANSWER-you must convert the $-value to a U-value. R-values and
U-values are inversely proportional to one another: as $-values increase, U-values
decrease and vice versa.
U=1/R (and R= 1/U)
balloon framing - ANSWER-has continuous wall cavities from the basement to the attic
baseload - ANSWER-home's electricity and water demand
baseloads can be reduced by - ANSWER-energy-efficient lighting appliances and
electronics
water-saving measures such as low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators
Bay - ANSWER-the space between and the size of the wood influence the cavity or bay
(indicates the amount of insulation)
Before attempting any of the air sealing work, it is important to: - ANSWER-Walk
through the home and map out the sites as you discover t hem
Move aside existing insulation
Clean the area; otherwise, the foam or chalk will not adhere to the surfaces
boiler systems - ANSWER-heats water to produce either steam or hot water fro heating.
Steam is distributed through pipes to steam radiators; hot water can be distributed
through baseboard radiators or radiant floor systems, or can heat air via a coil
BPI approved national standards include - ANSWER-Air Conditioning And Heat Pump
Professional
envelope Professional
building Analyst Professional
Heating Professional
BPI is accredited by - ANSWER-the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
BTU - ANSWER-1 BTU is equal to the amount of heat required to raise the temperature
of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit (sensible heat)
, building envelope - ANSWER-any part of the building assembly that creates a boundary
between indoor and outdoor space including:
foundation
roof exterior walls attached porch
attached garage
exterior doors and windows
Building Envelope: - ANSWER-Foundation
Walls
Roof
Windows
Doors
Building Science - ANSWER-taken from physics chemistry and thermodynamics
bulk moisture - ANSWER-water can be pulled down by gravity into the home. water
entering through a leaking roof, into the attic then into tan interior wall, and ultimately,
into the basement.
by-products from combustion - ANSWER-NO
NO2
SO2
CO2
H2Ov
Capacity - ANSWER-related to power; it is the maximum amount of electric power that a
piece of electrical equipment can accommodate
Cathedral ceiling - ANSWER-Has the same pitch as a roof
Cellulose Insulation - ANSWER-Made of ground-up newspaper that has been treated
with fire retardants
central air components - ANSWER-condenser coil
compressor
evaporator coil
Chases - ANSWER-openings through the attic floor to accommodate pipes, ducts,
chimneys and flues
Combustion fuel - ANSWER-Natural gas
Liquid propane (LP) stored in tanks
common ductwork issues include - ANSWER-blockages
long runs
excessive turns
1st Law of Thermodynamics - ANSWER-energy moves from place to place; energy
changes form one form to another; energy cannot be created or destroyed
Energy moves around and changes form.
2nd Law of Thermodynamics - ANSWER-energy flows naturally from high
concentrations to low concentrations
HEAT moves from warmer to cooler; AIR moves from higher pressure to lower
pressure; MOISTURE moves from wetter to drier
Active solar or Solar Thermal - ANSWER-uses solar energy to heat water
AFUE applies to - ANSWER-furnaces and boilers
AFUE ratings range from - ANSWER-68% to 72% on old, low-efficiency appliance all
the way up to 97% on high-efficiency models
Air conditioner refrigerant - ANSWER-readily changes form from a liquid to a gas, and
vice versa. The refrigerant transfers heat from indoor air to out door air
Air exchange Rate - ANSWER-the number of time the interior volume of air changes
over in one hour (air changes per hour, or ACH).
Formula: ACH = CFM x 60 / volume
air flow - ANSWER-the movement of air; air transfer
airborne moisture - ANSWER-as heat moves through air (convection), so too does
moisture. it's the fastest and easiest way moisture moves around the home
Annual Fuel Utiliztion Efficiency (AFUE) - ANSWER-the efficiency of a furnace or boiler
is most commonly expressed
This is a measure of how efficiently the appliance converts fuel to heat, on average,
over typical year
expressed as a percentage; it is the ratio between the appliance's output capacity
compared to it's input capacity
Assessing Existing Insulation - ANSWER-Good: no gaps or imperfections are present
Fair: there are gaps in over 2.5% of the insulated area; this equals a 3/8-inch space
along a 14.5-inch batt
,Poor: there are gaps in over 5% of the insulated area; this equals a 3/4-inch space
along a 14.5-inch batt.
Atmospheric Vent - ANSWER-combustion by-products exhaust from the house up
through a chimney by the stack effect due to natural buoyancy of hot gases
Attached garage - ANSWER-BPI first priority for air sealing between the garage and
house bc of occupant health and safety
average R-value - ANSWER-you must convert the $-value to a U-value. R-values and
U-values are inversely proportional to one another: as $-values increase, U-values
decrease and vice versa.
U=1/R (and R= 1/U)
balloon framing - ANSWER-has continuous wall cavities from the basement to the attic
baseload - ANSWER-home's electricity and water demand
baseloads can be reduced by - ANSWER-energy-efficient lighting appliances and
electronics
water-saving measures such as low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators
Bay - ANSWER-the space between and the size of the wood influence the cavity or bay
(indicates the amount of insulation)
Before attempting any of the air sealing work, it is important to: - ANSWER-Walk
through the home and map out the sites as you discover t hem
Move aside existing insulation
Clean the area; otherwise, the foam or chalk will not adhere to the surfaces
boiler systems - ANSWER-heats water to produce either steam or hot water fro heating.
Steam is distributed through pipes to steam radiators; hot water can be distributed
through baseboard radiators or radiant floor systems, or can heat air via a coil
BPI approved national standards include - ANSWER-Air Conditioning And Heat Pump
Professional
envelope Professional
building Analyst Professional
Heating Professional
BPI is accredited by - ANSWER-the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
BTU - ANSWER-1 BTU is equal to the amount of heat required to raise the temperature
of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit (sensible heat)
, building envelope - ANSWER-any part of the building assembly that creates a boundary
between indoor and outdoor space including:
foundation
roof exterior walls attached porch
attached garage
exterior doors and windows
Building Envelope: - ANSWER-Foundation
Walls
Roof
Windows
Doors
Building Science - ANSWER-taken from physics chemistry and thermodynamics
bulk moisture - ANSWER-water can be pulled down by gravity into the home. water
entering through a leaking roof, into the attic then into tan interior wall, and ultimately,
into the basement.
by-products from combustion - ANSWER-NO
NO2
SO2
CO2
H2Ov
Capacity - ANSWER-related to power; it is the maximum amount of electric power that a
piece of electrical equipment can accommodate
Cathedral ceiling - ANSWER-Has the same pitch as a roof
Cellulose Insulation - ANSWER-Made of ground-up newspaper that has been treated
with fire retardants
central air components - ANSWER-condenser coil
compressor
evaporator coil
Chases - ANSWER-openings through the attic floor to accommodate pipes, ducts,
chimneys and flues
Combustion fuel - ANSWER-Natural gas
Liquid propane (LP) stored in tanks
common ductwork issues include - ANSWER-blockages
long runs
excessive turns
