ICE Residential HVAC Practice Exam
100 Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary function of the evaporator coil in a residential air
conditioning system?
A) Reject heat to the outdoors
B) Absorb heat from the indoor air
C) Compress refrigerant vapor
D) Meter refrigerant flow
Rationale: The evaporator coil is located indoors and absorbs heat and
moisture from the conditioned space as refrigerant evaporates inside the coil.
2. Which refrigerant is commonly used in new residential air conditioning
systems as of 2025?
A) R-22
B) R-410A
C) R-12
D) R-502
Rationale: R-410A is a common HFC blend used in residential systems, though
newer lower-GWP refrigerants are also entering the market as R-22 is phased
out.
3. What does SEER stand for?
A) Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio
B) Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating
C) Standard Energy Efficiency Ratio
D) System Energy Efficiency Rating
Rationale: SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, which measures
cooling efficiency over a typical cooling season.
,4. What is the acceptable superheat range for a fixed orifice metering device?
A) 2–5°F
B) 8–12°F
C) 15–20°F
D) 20–25°F
Rationale: Fixed orifice systems typically operate with 8–12°F superheat at
the evaporator outlet under normal conditions.
5. What is the typical subcooling range for a TXV system?
A) 2–5°F
B) 8–12°F
C) 15–20°F
D) 20–25°F
Rationale: TXV systems are charged to 8–12°F subcooling at the condenser
outlet.
6. A thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) maintains constant:
A) Condenser pressure
B) Evaporator superheat
C) Compressor amperage
D) Subcooling
Rationale: The TXV modulates refrigerant flow to maintain a constant
superheat at the evaporator outlet.
7. What is the purpose of a compressor in a refrigeration cycle?
A) Absorb heat
B) Raise refrigerant pressure and temperature
C) Reject heat
D) Meter refrigerant
Rationale: The compressor raises the pressure and temperature of refrigerant
vapor so it can reject heat in the condenser.
8. Which component separates liquid refrigerant from vapor before it enters
the compressor?
A) Condenser
B) Accumulator
C) Evaporator
, D) Metering device
Rationale: An accumulator is used on the suction line to prevent liquid
refrigerant from reaching the compressor.
9. What is the primary purpose of a condenser in a residential HVAC system?
A) Absorb heat from indoor air
B) Reject heat to outdoor air
C) Compress refrigerant
D) Meter refrigerant
Rationale: The condenser rejects heat absorbed from the indoor space to the
outdoor air.
10. What is the dew point temperature?
A) The temperature at which air becomes saturated
B) The temperature at which water vapor begins to condense
C) The temperature at which ice forms
D) The temperature at which air is fully dry
Rationale: Dew point is the temperature at which air must be cooled for
water vapor to condense into liquid.
11. A customer complains of low airflow. Which of the following is the most
likely cause?
A) Overcharged system
B) Clogged air filter
C) Low refrigerant charge
D) Bad compressor
Rationale: A clogged air filter is a common cause of restricted airflow in
residential systems.
12. What is the function of a blower motor in a furnace?
A) Ignite the burners
B) Circulate air through the ductwork
C) Compress refrigerant
D) Control gas flow
Rationale: The blower motor moves conditioned air through the duct system.
13. What is the purpose of a heat exchanger in a gas furnace?
A) Cool the air
100 Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2026 Q&A Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary function of the evaporator coil in a residential air
conditioning system?
A) Reject heat to the outdoors
B) Absorb heat from the indoor air
C) Compress refrigerant vapor
D) Meter refrigerant flow
Rationale: The evaporator coil is located indoors and absorbs heat and
moisture from the conditioned space as refrigerant evaporates inside the coil.
2. Which refrigerant is commonly used in new residential air conditioning
systems as of 2025?
A) R-22
B) R-410A
C) R-12
D) R-502
Rationale: R-410A is a common HFC blend used in residential systems, though
newer lower-GWP refrigerants are also entering the market as R-22 is phased
out.
3. What does SEER stand for?
A) Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio
B) Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating
C) Standard Energy Efficiency Ratio
D) System Energy Efficiency Rating
Rationale: SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, which measures
cooling efficiency over a typical cooling season.
,4. What is the acceptable superheat range for a fixed orifice metering device?
A) 2–5°F
B) 8–12°F
C) 15–20°F
D) 20–25°F
Rationale: Fixed orifice systems typically operate with 8–12°F superheat at
the evaporator outlet under normal conditions.
5. What is the typical subcooling range for a TXV system?
A) 2–5°F
B) 8–12°F
C) 15–20°F
D) 20–25°F
Rationale: TXV systems are charged to 8–12°F subcooling at the condenser
outlet.
6. A thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) maintains constant:
A) Condenser pressure
B) Evaporator superheat
C) Compressor amperage
D) Subcooling
Rationale: The TXV modulates refrigerant flow to maintain a constant
superheat at the evaporator outlet.
7. What is the purpose of a compressor in a refrigeration cycle?
A) Absorb heat
B) Raise refrigerant pressure and temperature
C) Reject heat
D) Meter refrigerant
Rationale: The compressor raises the pressure and temperature of refrigerant
vapor so it can reject heat in the condenser.
8. Which component separates liquid refrigerant from vapor before it enters
the compressor?
A) Condenser
B) Accumulator
C) Evaporator
, D) Metering device
Rationale: An accumulator is used on the suction line to prevent liquid
refrigerant from reaching the compressor.
9. What is the primary purpose of a condenser in a residential HVAC system?
A) Absorb heat from indoor air
B) Reject heat to outdoor air
C) Compress refrigerant
D) Meter refrigerant
Rationale: The condenser rejects heat absorbed from the indoor space to the
outdoor air.
10. What is the dew point temperature?
A) The temperature at which air becomes saturated
B) The temperature at which water vapor begins to condense
C) The temperature at which ice forms
D) The temperature at which air is fully dry
Rationale: Dew point is the temperature at which air must be cooled for
water vapor to condense into liquid.
11. A customer complains of low airflow. Which of the following is the most
likely cause?
A) Overcharged system
B) Clogged air filter
C) Low refrigerant charge
D) Bad compressor
Rationale: A clogged air filter is a common cause of restricted airflow in
residential systems.
12. What is the function of a blower motor in a furnace?
A) Ignite the burners
B) Circulate air through the ductwork
C) Compress refrigerant
D) Control gas flow
Rationale: The blower motor moves conditioned air through the duct system.
13. What is the purpose of a heat exchanger in a gas furnace?
A) Cool the air
