BPI Building Science Principles Actual Exam 2025

The fundamental scientific principles that govern home performance are collectively known as: a. physical laws b. building science c. diagnostics d. thermodynamics - Correct Answer-b. building science The components of a house can be said to fall into four general categories: building, mechanicals, environment, and: a. structure b. ventilations c. occupants d. energy - Correct Answer-c. occupants What type of foundation involves significant excavation, but adds a floor to a house and provides space for mechanical equipment, ductwork, and utilities? a. slab-on-grade b. crawlspace c. deep d. basement - Correct Answer-d. basement A sloping framing member that supports the roof is called a: a. rafter b. joist c. stud d. bay - Correct Answer-a. rafter A vertical framing member that supports an interior or exterior wall is called a: a. rafter b. joist c. stud d. bay - Correct Answer-c. stud An object at rest is said to possess why type of energy? a. thermal b. potential BPI BPI c. electromagnetic d. kinetic - Correct Answer-b. potential The transfer of heat through materials in contact is called: a. diffusion b. convection c. conduction d. radiation - Correct Answer-c. conduction The border between conditioned and unconditioned space in a house is called the: a. building envelope b. temperature gradiant c. thermal boundary d. convective loop - Correct Answer-c. thermal boundary Loose fiberglass can be held together with adhesive to create: a. pockets b. bays c. dense-pack d. batts - Correct Answer-d. batts Which of the following is a measure of how fast heat moves through a material? a. U-value b. overall R-value c. permeability d. delta T - Correct Answer-a. U-value Which of the following is the difference in measured air pressure between two areas? a. relative humidity b. steady-state efficiency (SSE) c. delta P d. delta T - Correct Answer-c. delta P Air unintentionally flowing out of a house is called: a. standby loss b. windwashing c. infiltration d. exfiltration - Correct Answer-d. exfiltratio What framing type is found in most houses built since the 1940's and involves building the floor before framing the walls? a. rafter b. balloon c. slab-on-grade d. platform - Correct Answer-d. platform BPI BPI When building a box over a recessed light in the attic, what is the best option for the top of the box? a. drywall b. EPS c. XPS d. polyisocyanurate - Correct Answer-a. drywall When dense-packing exterior walls in a balloon framed house, what should you install to avoid creating a mound of insulation in the basement? a. soffit vent chutes b. blocks c. knee walls d. thermal breaks - Correct Answer-b. blocks A family of four, through exhaling and sweating, can produce approximately how much moisture in a day? a. 2.5 cups b. 2.5 pints c. 2.5 quarts d. 2.5 galloons - Correct Answer-d. 2.5 gallons The 4-step moisture cycle consists of collection, evaporation, condensation, and: a. distribution b. exfiltration c. precipitation d. saturation - Correct Answer-c. precipitation Which device would you use if you wanted to reduce the relative humidity in a room? a. humidifier b. heat recovery ventilator c. sump pump d. dehumidifier - Correct Answer-d. dehumidifier What is the technical term for moisture movement in a house? a. moisture flow b. moisture transport c. moisture action d. moisture transfer - Correct Answer-b. moisture transport The rate at which water vapor passes through a material is measured in: a. perms b. therms c. CFM d. ACH - Correct Answer-a. perms What is the general term for systems that condition the air in certain parts of a house? BPI BPI a. space heating and cooling b. domestic hot water (DHW) c. mechanical ventilation d. photovoltaic (PV) - Correct Answer-a. space heating and cooling What are the highest efficiency or sealed combustion venting pipes made of? a. galvanized steel b. stainless steel c. polyvinyl chloride (PVC) d. double-wall metal (B-vent) - Correct Answer-c. PVC What is the most common way to measure the cooling efficiency of a heat pump? a. seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) b. steady-state efficiency (SSE) c. heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF) d. energy efficiency ratio (EER) - Correct Answer-a. SEER Which of the following cooling systems is the most efficient? a. SEER 11 b. SEER 12 c. SEER 13 d. SEER 14 - Correct Answer-d. SEER 14 For combustion to occur, what three elements must be present? a. heat, air, and moisture b. air, fuel, and heat c. carbon dioxide, water, and heat d. light, air, and fuel - Correct Answer-b. air, fuel, and heat A comprehensive assessment of a home's performance is called: a. a baseload b. an energy index c. an energy audit d. a heating setpoint - Correct Answer-c. an energy audit What is the unit of measure for light? a. Pascal b. lumen c. kilowatt d. perm - Correct Answer-b. lumen What home energy-labeling program is provided by the U.S. Green Building Council? a. HERS Index b. ENERGY STAR Homes c. LEED for Homes d. NAHBGreen - Correct Answer-c. LEED for Homes BPI BPI What inert gas is placed in the spaces between panes in a high-efficiency window to provide additional thermal resistance? a. argon b. neon c. nitrogen d. helium - Correct Answer-a. argon What rating on a National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) window label measures how well the window blocks radiant heat? a. U-factor b. visible transmittance (VT) c. condensation resistance d. solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) - Correct Answer-d. SHGC The Home Energy Score uses information about a house's __________ to rate its energy efficiency on a scale of 1 to 10. a. assets b. use c. construction d. location - Correct Answer-a. assets The Home Energy Score is determined by: a. 2009 International Energy Conservation Code b. 2012 International Energy Conservation Code c. ENERGY STAR Certified Homes, Version 3 d. An asset assessment that isn't tied to code - Correct Answer-d. an asset assessment that isn't tied to code Which of the following is eligible for a Home Energy Score? a. Multifamily building containing < 4 units. b. Multifamily building with <= 3 stories above grade. c. Single-family house or townhouse. d. Apartment-style condominium - Correct Answer-c. Single-family house or townhouse Which of the following is true about the result of a Home Energy Score? a. Scores can be directly compared for any houses in any part of the country. b. Scores can be directly compared to similar houses in any part of the country. c. The estimated annual savings will be the same for houses with similar assets. d. Two houses with the same score, regardless of their location, will use the same amount of energy. - Correct Answer-b. Score can be directly compared to similar houses in any part of the country. Home Energy Scores that are compared to each other will be most affected by... a. the time of year. b. location BPI c. orientation d. size - Correct Answer-d. size BPI