NATE Heat Pump Specialty Certification
Exam With Actual Questions & Verified
Answers, Plus Explained
Rationales/Expert Verified For
Guaranteed Pass 2026/Latest
Updated/Instant Download Pdf
1. Which component reverses the flow of refrigerant in a heat pump
system?
A) Compressor
B) Expansion valve
C) Reversing valve
D) Condenser coil
C) Reversing valve
The reversing valve changes the direction of refrigerant flow,
allowing the heat pump to switch between heating and cooling
modes.
2. What is the main purpose of the accumulator in a heat pump?
A) Store refrigerant
B) Prevent liquid refrigerant from entering the compressor
C) Increase system pressure
D) Control airflow
B) Prevent liquid refrigerant from entering the compressor
The accumulator protects the compressor by ensuring that only
, vapor refrigerant enters it, preventing damage from liquid
slugging.
3. In heating mode, the indoor coil of a heat pump acts as:
A) Evaporator
B) Condenser
C) Expansion device
D) Compressor
B) Condenser
During heating, the indoor coil releases heat to the indoor air,
functioning as the condenser where refrigerant condenses and
releases heat.
4. What type of thermostat is required for most heat pump systems?
A) Single-stage
B) Two-stage
C) Heat pump-compatible
D) Electric-only
C) Heat pump-compatible
Heat pump systems require thermostats designed to manage
both heating and cooling modes, including auxiliary/emergency
heat control.
5. Which component controls the flow of refrigerant to the
evaporator?
A) Expansion valve
B) Compressor
C) Reversing valve
D) Condenser coil
A) Expansion valve
The expansion valve reduces refrigerant pressure and regulates
flow into the evaporator, allowing proper heat absorption.
,6. What is the typical function of auxiliary heat in a heat pump
system?
A) Backup heating during extreme cold
B) Primary heat source
C) Cooling enhancement
D) Refrigerant control
A) Backup heating during extreme cold
Auxiliary heat, often electric resistance, supplements the heat
pump when outdoor temperatures are too low for efficient
operation.
7. Which refrigerant is commonly used in residential heat pumps?
A) R-22
B) R-410A
C) R-134a
D) R-404A
B) R-410A
R-410A is widely used in modern residential heat pumps due to
its efficiency and environmental compliance.
8. What indicates a heat pump is in defrost mode?
A) Indoor fan turns off
B) Outdoor unit stops running
C) The reversing valve is energized to cooling mode
D) Compressor shuts down
C) The reversing valve is energized to cooling mode
During defrost, the heat pump temporarily reverses to cooling
mode to warm the outdoor coil and remove frost accumulation.
9. What is the purpose of a crankcase heater on a heat pump
compressor?
A) Improve cooling efficiency
, B) Prevent refrigerant migration and oil slugging
C) Increase system pressure
D) Protect the reversing valve
B) Prevent refrigerant migration and oil slugging
The crankcase heater keeps oil warm, preventing refrigerant
from condensing in the compressor during off cycles.
10. If a heat pump is producing insufficient heat, what is a
common first step in troubleshooting?
A) Replace the reversing valve
B) Check for dirty air filters
C) Replace the compressor
D) Add refrigerant without measuring
B) Check for dirty air filters
Restricted airflow due to dirty filters reduces heat transfer,
which is a common and simple cause of heating issues.
11. In cooling mode, the outdoor coil functions as:
A) Evaporator
B) Condenser
C) Expansion device
D) Compressor
B) Condenser
In cooling mode, the outdoor coil releases heat absorbed from
indoor air, functioning as the condenser.
12. What does SEER measure in a heat pump system?
A) Heating capacity
B) Energy efficiency for cooling
C) Refrigerant pressure
D) Electrical resistance
B) Energy efficiency for cooling
Exam With Actual Questions & Verified
Answers, Plus Explained
Rationales/Expert Verified For
Guaranteed Pass 2026/Latest
Updated/Instant Download Pdf
1. Which component reverses the flow of refrigerant in a heat pump
system?
A) Compressor
B) Expansion valve
C) Reversing valve
D) Condenser coil
C) Reversing valve
The reversing valve changes the direction of refrigerant flow,
allowing the heat pump to switch between heating and cooling
modes.
2. What is the main purpose of the accumulator in a heat pump?
A) Store refrigerant
B) Prevent liquid refrigerant from entering the compressor
C) Increase system pressure
D) Control airflow
B) Prevent liquid refrigerant from entering the compressor
The accumulator protects the compressor by ensuring that only
, vapor refrigerant enters it, preventing damage from liquid
slugging.
3. In heating mode, the indoor coil of a heat pump acts as:
A) Evaporator
B) Condenser
C) Expansion device
D) Compressor
B) Condenser
During heating, the indoor coil releases heat to the indoor air,
functioning as the condenser where refrigerant condenses and
releases heat.
4. What type of thermostat is required for most heat pump systems?
A) Single-stage
B) Two-stage
C) Heat pump-compatible
D) Electric-only
C) Heat pump-compatible
Heat pump systems require thermostats designed to manage
both heating and cooling modes, including auxiliary/emergency
heat control.
5. Which component controls the flow of refrigerant to the
evaporator?
A) Expansion valve
B) Compressor
C) Reversing valve
D) Condenser coil
A) Expansion valve
The expansion valve reduces refrigerant pressure and regulates
flow into the evaporator, allowing proper heat absorption.
,6. What is the typical function of auxiliary heat in a heat pump
system?
A) Backup heating during extreme cold
B) Primary heat source
C) Cooling enhancement
D) Refrigerant control
A) Backup heating during extreme cold
Auxiliary heat, often electric resistance, supplements the heat
pump when outdoor temperatures are too low for efficient
operation.
7. Which refrigerant is commonly used in residential heat pumps?
A) R-22
B) R-410A
C) R-134a
D) R-404A
B) R-410A
R-410A is widely used in modern residential heat pumps due to
its efficiency and environmental compliance.
8. What indicates a heat pump is in defrost mode?
A) Indoor fan turns off
B) Outdoor unit stops running
C) The reversing valve is energized to cooling mode
D) Compressor shuts down
C) The reversing valve is energized to cooling mode
During defrost, the heat pump temporarily reverses to cooling
mode to warm the outdoor coil and remove frost accumulation.
9. What is the purpose of a crankcase heater on a heat pump
compressor?
A) Improve cooling efficiency
, B) Prevent refrigerant migration and oil slugging
C) Increase system pressure
D) Protect the reversing valve
B) Prevent refrigerant migration and oil slugging
The crankcase heater keeps oil warm, preventing refrigerant
from condensing in the compressor during off cycles.
10. If a heat pump is producing insufficient heat, what is a
common first step in troubleshooting?
A) Replace the reversing valve
B) Check for dirty air filters
C) Replace the compressor
D) Add refrigerant without measuring
B) Check for dirty air filters
Restricted airflow due to dirty filters reduces heat transfer,
which is a common and simple cause of heating issues.
11. In cooling mode, the outdoor coil functions as:
A) Evaporator
B) Condenser
C) Expansion device
D) Compressor
B) Condenser
In cooling mode, the outdoor coil releases heat absorbed from
indoor air, functioning as the condenser.
12. What does SEER measure in a heat pump system?
A) Heating capacity
B) Energy efficiency for cooling
C) Refrigerant pressure
D) Electrical resistance
B) Energy efficiency for cooling
