ARE 5.0 PROJECT PLANNING &
DESIGN EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
Decoupling - ....ANSWER ...-Process of mechanically separating components to
reduce the transmission of vibrations, sound, or other forces. In soundproofing,
decoupling is used to isolate walls or floors to prevent sound waves from traveling
through solid connections like studs or joists.
Contour lines represent a valley when - ....ANSWER ...-pointing toward higher
elevations
Contour lines represent a ridge when - ....ANSWER ...-pointing toward lower
elevations
In a compressor you are - ....ANSWER ...-increasing movement of the air
molecules (movement > heat > energry)
The refrigeration cycles does not produce coolth, it... - ....ANSWER ...-removes
heat
Refrigerant - ....ANSWER ...-Fluid that circulates between the cooling cool
(evaporator coil) and condenser coils and creates the refrigeration cycle in air condition
systems and heat pumps.
....FOR STUDY PURPOSES...©️2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED... 1
,Refrigeration Cycle meaning - ....ANSWER ...-During this cycle between tow ends
of the air conditiong system (the evaporation coiils and condenser coils), the refrigeratn
fluid undergoes a repeated change of state from a liquid to a gas and back again.
Basially takes the heat where it is not required (indoor) and dumps it out where it
doesn't matter (outside)
Refrigeration Cycle 4 Components in order - ....ANSWER ...-1. Compressor 2.
Condenser Coil 3. Expansion Valve 4. Evaporator Coil
Refrigeration Cycle is undirectional. Refrigeration Cycles only cool. -
....ANSWER ...-Heat Pumps are bidirection (reversible). Heat Pumps can heat and
cool.
Single-Package Heat Pumps - ....ANSWER ...-Typically located on the roof, one-
piece units that house the units of the heat pump, they are heavy and noisy so they are
typically placed outside.
Split Heat Pump Systems (type of mini split) - ....ANSWER ...-Outdoor and indoor
units of the heat pump are separated, flexibility for zoning, they are ductless and easy to
install
A heat recovery ventilator does not... - ....ANSWER ...-does not introduce new heat
energy into the building
The lower the entropy, the _____ the quality of energy - ....ANSWER ...-higher the
quality of energy
Entropy - ....ANSWER ...-Can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of heat transfer
processes within an HVAC system. For example, a high entropy value indicates a greater
....FOR STUDY PURPOSES...©️2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED... 2
,level of energy dispersion and infficiency, while a lower entropy value suggests better
energy utilization and a more efficient system.
Ways to ensure entropy is reduced - ....ANSWER ...-Use efficient equipment,
properly insulating buildings, optimizing airflow, and implementing automated control
systems
When are mechanical spaces size determined? - ....ANSWER ...-Typically
specificed later during Design Documentation phase however it is best to bring out the
HVAC consultant as EARLY as possible to ensure coordination
When is a boiler most efficient - ....ANSWER ...-when running at a full rate
Modular boilers - ....ANSWER ...-A series of independent boilers that are designed
to work at the full rate all the time, and when ONE is not enoguth, the rest of the boilers
kick in gradually.
If the volume of a container of gas molecules is compressed to half its size what factors
are increased? - ....ANSWER ...-The molecule speed is increased, the temperate
inside is increased, and the pressure inside is increased
Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) - ....ANSWER ...-primary function is to
exhcange stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air. Uses a heat exchanger to transfer heat
between the two air streams. This process allows for the recovery of energy that would
otherwise be lost during ventilation. Used to improve indoor air quality while
minimizing energy loss. Provides continous supply of fresh air while retaining the heat
or coolness of exhausted air. Don't directly contriubte to humidity control but can
indirectly. Common in colder climates where heating energy is priority.
....FOR STUDY PURPOSES...©️2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED... 3
, Energy Recovery Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) - ....ANSWER ...-can recover
BOTH heat and moisture (humidity) from the exhaust air. They have a moisture
transder core or a membrance that allows the transfer of water vapor between the
incomking and outgoing air streams. Beneficial in high humiditiy climates because they
help to reduce the moisture load on the cooling system by transferring some of the
moisture from the incoming air to the outgoing air. Reduce heating and cooling loads
resulting in energy savings.
Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) ideal climate - ....ANSWER ...-Cold Climate
because they are effective in reducing heat loss from the building while maintain fresh
indoor air.
Energy Recovery Ventilators (HRV) ideal climate - ....ANSWER ...-Hot and
Humid Climates because moisture control is crucial for indoor comfort and energy
efficiency.
Water as Heat delivery device types - ....ANSWER ...-Hydronic Baseboard,
Hydronic Panel Radiator, Hydronic Convector, Hydronic Unit Heaters (industrial),
Hydronoic Radiant Panels (rope system under floor, very efficient, not instant, hard to
access for maintenance), chilled beams
Where should the raditor be located in a room in a cold climate? - ....ANSWER ...-
Locate the raditor under the window. Because the window is where the room
experiences the most heat loss, the cold indoor air by the window can immediately be
met with heat energy and be compensated so the room stays warm.
Chilled Beams - ....ANSWER ...-Common in commercial and institutional
buildings to provide cooling and sometimes heatings. They are typically installed in the
....FOR STUDY PURPOSES...©️2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED... 4
DESIGN EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS
Decoupling - ....ANSWER ...-Process of mechanically separating components to
reduce the transmission of vibrations, sound, or other forces. In soundproofing,
decoupling is used to isolate walls or floors to prevent sound waves from traveling
through solid connections like studs or joists.
Contour lines represent a valley when - ....ANSWER ...-pointing toward higher
elevations
Contour lines represent a ridge when - ....ANSWER ...-pointing toward lower
elevations
In a compressor you are - ....ANSWER ...-increasing movement of the air
molecules (movement > heat > energry)
The refrigeration cycles does not produce coolth, it... - ....ANSWER ...-removes
heat
Refrigerant - ....ANSWER ...-Fluid that circulates between the cooling cool
(evaporator coil) and condenser coils and creates the refrigeration cycle in air condition
systems and heat pumps.
....FOR STUDY PURPOSES...©️2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED... 1
,Refrigeration Cycle meaning - ....ANSWER ...-During this cycle between tow ends
of the air conditiong system (the evaporation coiils and condenser coils), the refrigeratn
fluid undergoes a repeated change of state from a liquid to a gas and back again.
Basially takes the heat where it is not required (indoor) and dumps it out where it
doesn't matter (outside)
Refrigeration Cycle 4 Components in order - ....ANSWER ...-1. Compressor 2.
Condenser Coil 3. Expansion Valve 4. Evaporator Coil
Refrigeration Cycle is undirectional. Refrigeration Cycles only cool. -
....ANSWER ...-Heat Pumps are bidirection (reversible). Heat Pumps can heat and
cool.
Single-Package Heat Pumps - ....ANSWER ...-Typically located on the roof, one-
piece units that house the units of the heat pump, they are heavy and noisy so they are
typically placed outside.
Split Heat Pump Systems (type of mini split) - ....ANSWER ...-Outdoor and indoor
units of the heat pump are separated, flexibility for zoning, they are ductless and easy to
install
A heat recovery ventilator does not... - ....ANSWER ...-does not introduce new heat
energy into the building
The lower the entropy, the _____ the quality of energy - ....ANSWER ...-higher the
quality of energy
Entropy - ....ANSWER ...-Can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of heat transfer
processes within an HVAC system. For example, a high entropy value indicates a greater
....FOR STUDY PURPOSES...©️2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED... 2
,level of energy dispersion and infficiency, while a lower entropy value suggests better
energy utilization and a more efficient system.
Ways to ensure entropy is reduced - ....ANSWER ...-Use efficient equipment,
properly insulating buildings, optimizing airflow, and implementing automated control
systems
When are mechanical spaces size determined? - ....ANSWER ...-Typically
specificed later during Design Documentation phase however it is best to bring out the
HVAC consultant as EARLY as possible to ensure coordination
When is a boiler most efficient - ....ANSWER ...-when running at a full rate
Modular boilers - ....ANSWER ...-A series of independent boilers that are designed
to work at the full rate all the time, and when ONE is not enoguth, the rest of the boilers
kick in gradually.
If the volume of a container of gas molecules is compressed to half its size what factors
are increased? - ....ANSWER ...-The molecule speed is increased, the temperate
inside is increased, and the pressure inside is increased
Heat Recovery Ventilators (HRVs) - ....ANSWER ...-primary function is to
exhcange stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air. Uses a heat exchanger to transfer heat
between the two air streams. This process allows for the recovery of energy that would
otherwise be lost during ventilation. Used to improve indoor air quality while
minimizing energy loss. Provides continous supply of fresh air while retaining the heat
or coolness of exhausted air. Don't directly contriubte to humidity control but can
indirectly. Common in colder climates where heating energy is priority.
....FOR STUDY PURPOSES...©️2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED... 3
, Energy Recovery Recovery Ventilators (ERVs) - ....ANSWER ...-can recover
BOTH heat and moisture (humidity) from the exhaust air. They have a moisture
transder core or a membrance that allows the transfer of water vapor between the
incomking and outgoing air streams. Beneficial in high humiditiy climates because they
help to reduce the moisture load on the cooling system by transferring some of the
moisture from the incoming air to the outgoing air. Reduce heating and cooling loads
resulting in energy savings.
Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV) ideal climate - ....ANSWER ...-Cold Climate
because they are effective in reducing heat loss from the building while maintain fresh
indoor air.
Energy Recovery Ventilators (HRV) ideal climate - ....ANSWER ...-Hot and
Humid Climates because moisture control is crucial for indoor comfort and energy
efficiency.
Water as Heat delivery device types - ....ANSWER ...-Hydronic Baseboard,
Hydronic Panel Radiator, Hydronic Convector, Hydronic Unit Heaters (industrial),
Hydronoic Radiant Panels (rope system under floor, very efficient, not instant, hard to
access for maintenance), chilled beams
Where should the raditor be located in a room in a cold climate? - ....ANSWER ...-
Locate the raditor under the window. Because the window is where the room
experiences the most heat loss, the cold indoor air by the window can immediately be
met with heat energy and be compensated so the room stays warm.
Chilled Beams - ....ANSWER ...-Common in commercial and institutional
buildings to provide cooling and sometimes heatings. They are typically installed in the
....FOR STUDY PURPOSES...©️2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED... 4
