1. What does HVAC stand for?
ANSWER : Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
2. What is the primary purpose of a thermostat?
ANSWER : To control and regulate the temperature in a building by signaling the
heating or cooling system to turn on or off
3. What is the difference between central air conditioning and a window unit?
ANSWER : Central air conditioning cools the entire building through ductwork,
while a window unit cools only a single room
4. What is a heat pump?
ANSWER : A device that transfers heat from one location to another and can
provide both heating and cooling
5. What is the purpose of an air filter in an HVAC system?
ANSWER : To remove dust, pollen, and other airborne particles from the air to
improve indoor air quality and protect equipment
6. What is a BTU?
ANSWER : British Thermal Unit - a measure of heat energy, defined as the
amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one
degree Fahrenheit
7. What does SEER stand for?
ANSWER : Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio - a measure of air conditioning
efficiency
8. What is a furnace?
ANSWER : A heating appliance that heats air and distributes it throughout a
building via ductwork
,9. What is a boiler?
ANSWER : A heating appliance that heats water or produces steam for distribution
through pipes to radiators or heating coils
10. What is the purpose of a condensate drain line?
ANSWER : To remove moisture condensation from the air conditioning system
11. What is refrigerant?
ANSWER : A chemical compound that absorbs and releases heat in a cooling
system, enabling heat transfer
12. What is the compressor's function in an AC system?
ANSWER : To compress refrigerant gas, raising its pressure and temperature
before it enters the condenser
13. What is an evaporator coil?
ANSWER : The component where refrigerant absorbs heat from indoor air,
causing the air to cool
14. What is a condenser coil?
ANSWER : The component where refrigerant releases absorbed heat to the outdoor
environment
15. What is the purpose of ductwork?
ANSWER : To distribute conditioned air throughout a building
16. What is a damper in HVAC systems?
ANSWER : A movable plate in ductwork that controls airflow to different areas
17. What is zone control?
ANSWER : A system that allows different areas of a building to be heated or
cooled to different temperatures
18. What is static pressure in HVAC?
ANSWER : The resistance to airflow in ductwork and components, measured in
inches of water column
19. What is CFM?
ANSWER : Cubic Feet per Minute - a measurement of airflow volume
20. What is the difference between sensible and latent heat?
ANSWER : Sensible heat changes temperature without changing state; latent heat
changes state (liquid to gas) without changing temperature
21. What is superheat?
, ANSWER : The amount of heat added to refrigerant vapor above its saturation
temperature
22. What is subcooling?
ANSWER : The amount of heat removed from liquid refrigerant below its
saturation temperature
23. What is the expansion valve's purpose?
ANSWER : To reduce refrigerant pressure and temperature before it enters the
evaporator coil
24. What is a heat exchanger?
ANSWER : A device that transfers heat between two fluids without allowing them
to mix
25. What is the difference between split systems and package units?
ANSWER : Split systems have components separated between indoor and outdoor
units; package units have all components in one cabinet
, Wisconsin HVAC Codes and Regulations
26. Which code governs HVAC installations in Wisconsin?
ANSWER : The Wisconsin Commercial Building Code (Comm chapters) and
Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code (SPS chapters)
27. What is the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services
(DSPS)?
ANSWER : The state agency responsible for licensing and regulating HVAC
contractors and ensuring code compliance
28. What type of license is required to install HVAC systems in Wisconsin?
ANSWER : A Master HVAC or Journeyman HVAC license, depending on the
scope of work
29. Are permits required for HVAC installations in Wisconsin?
ANSWER : Yes, permits are generally required for new installations,
replacements, and major modifications
30. What is the minimum SEER rating required for new air conditioners in
Wisconsin?
ANSWER : Currently 14 SEER or higher as per federal regulations (Wisconsin
follows federal minimums)
31. Are inspections required after HVAC installation?
ANSWER : Yes, inspections by local building officials are typically required
32. What is Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 364?
ANSWER : The code chapter governing HVAC and refrigeration systems
33. What clearance is required around outdoor condensing units?
ANSWER : Typically a minimum of 12 inches on the service side and adequate
clearance for proper airflow
34. What is required for combustion air supply in Wisconsin?
ANSWER : Adequate combustion air must be provided according to code
requirements, typically 50 cubic feet per 1000 BTU/hr for confined spaces
35. What is the minimum R-value for duct insulation in unconditioned spaces
in Wisconsin?
ANSWER : Typically R-6 for supply ducts and R-4.2 for return ducts in
unconditioned spaces
36. Are carbon monoxide detectors required in Wisconsin homes with fuel-
burning appliances?
ANSWER : Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
2. What is the primary purpose of a thermostat?
ANSWER : To control and regulate the temperature in a building by signaling the
heating or cooling system to turn on or off
3. What is the difference between central air conditioning and a window unit?
ANSWER : Central air conditioning cools the entire building through ductwork,
while a window unit cools only a single room
4. What is a heat pump?
ANSWER : A device that transfers heat from one location to another and can
provide both heating and cooling
5. What is the purpose of an air filter in an HVAC system?
ANSWER : To remove dust, pollen, and other airborne particles from the air to
improve indoor air quality and protect equipment
6. What is a BTU?
ANSWER : British Thermal Unit - a measure of heat energy, defined as the
amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one
degree Fahrenheit
7. What does SEER stand for?
ANSWER : Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio - a measure of air conditioning
efficiency
8. What is a furnace?
ANSWER : A heating appliance that heats air and distributes it throughout a
building via ductwork
,9. What is a boiler?
ANSWER : A heating appliance that heats water or produces steam for distribution
through pipes to radiators or heating coils
10. What is the purpose of a condensate drain line?
ANSWER : To remove moisture condensation from the air conditioning system
11. What is refrigerant?
ANSWER : A chemical compound that absorbs and releases heat in a cooling
system, enabling heat transfer
12. What is the compressor's function in an AC system?
ANSWER : To compress refrigerant gas, raising its pressure and temperature
before it enters the condenser
13. What is an evaporator coil?
ANSWER : The component where refrigerant absorbs heat from indoor air,
causing the air to cool
14. What is a condenser coil?
ANSWER : The component where refrigerant releases absorbed heat to the outdoor
environment
15. What is the purpose of ductwork?
ANSWER : To distribute conditioned air throughout a building
16. What is a damper in HVAC systems?
ANSWER : A movable plate in ductwork that controls airflow to different areas
17. What is zone control?
ANSWER : A system that allows different areas of a building to be heated or
cooled to different temperatures
18. What is static pressure in HVAC?
ANSWER : The resistance to airflow in ductwork and components, measured in
inches of water column
19. What is CFM?
ANSWER : Cubic Feet per Minute - a measurement of airflow volume
20. What is the difference between sensible and latent heat?
ANSWER : Sensible heat changes temperature without changing state; latent heat
changes state (liquid to gas) without changing temperature
21. What is superheat?
, ANSWER : The amount of heat added to refrigerant vapor above its saturation
temperature
22. What is subcooling?
ANSWER : The amount of heat removed from liquid refrigerant below its
saturation temperature
23. What is the expansion valve's purpose?
ANSWER : To reduce refrigerant pressure and temperature before it enters the
evaporator coil
24. What is a heat exchanger?
ANSWER : A device that transfers heat between two fluids without allowing them
to mix
25. What is the difference between split systems and package units?
ANSWER : Split systems have components separated between indoor and outdoor
units; package units have all components in one cabinet
, Wisconsin HVAC Codes and Regulations
26. Which code governs HVAC installations in Wisconsin?
ANSWER : The Wisconsin Commercial Building Code (Comm chapters) and
Wisconsin Uniform Dwelling Code (SPS chapters)
27. What is the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services
(DSPS)?
ANSWER : The state agency responsible for licensing and regulating HVAC
contractors and ensuring code compliance
28. What type of license is required to install HVAC systems in Wisconsin?
ANSWER : A Master HVAC or Journeyman HVAC license, depending on the
scope of work
29. Are permits required for HVAC installations in Wisconsin?
ANSWER : Yes, permits are generally required for new installations,
replacements, and major modifications
30. What is the minimum SEER rating required for new air conditioners in
Wisconsin?
ANSWER : Currently 14 SEER or higher as per federal regulations (Wisconsin
follows federal minimums)
31. Are inspections required after HVAC installation?
ANSWER : Yes, inspections by local building officials are typically required
32. What is Wisconsin Administrative Code SPS 364?
ANSWER : The code chapter governing HVAC and refrigeration systems
33. What clearance is required around outdoor condensing units?
ANSWER : Typically a minimum of 12 inches on the service side and adequate
clearance for proper airflow
34. What is required for combustion air supply in Wisconsin?
ANSWER : Adequate combustion air must be provided according to code
requirements, typically 50 cubic feet per 1000 BTU/hr for confined spaces
35. What is the minimum R-value for duct insulation in unconditioned spaces
in Wisconsin?
ANSWER : Typically R-6 for supply ducts and R-4.2 for return ducts in
unconditioned spaces
36. Are carbon monoxide detectors required in Wisconsin homes with fuel-
burning appliances?
