BPI HOME ENERGY PROFESSIONAL
(HEP)
ENERGY AUDITOR PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
SOLUTIONS WITH RATIONALES
1. A safety concern with closed combustion appliances:
A. They lack exhaust systems
B. They use indoor air for combustion
C. They can still malfunction and leak CO
D. They discharge combustion gases indoors
Answer: C. They can still malfunction and leak CO
Page 7 of 65
Rationale: Sealed systems reduce but don’t eliminate CO risks.
Page 8 of 65
2. Proper attic insulation must include:
A. Ventilation baffles
B. Metal vapor barriers
Page 1 of 50
,C. White spray paint
D. Recessed lighting upgrades
Answer: A. Ventilation baffles
Rationale: Baffles maintain airflow from soffits preventing moisture.
3. Which indoor pollutant is associated with soil gas infiltration?
A. Ozone
B. Carbon monoxide
C. Radon
D. Sulfur dioxide
Answer: C. Radon
Rationale: Radon migrates from soil into basements and crawl spaces.
4. What determines attic ventilation needs?
A. Color of shingles
B. Ratio of vent area to attic area
C. Age of home
D. Type of insulation
Page 2 of 50
,Answer: B. Ratio of vent area to attic area
Rationale: Codes specify minimum venting per square footage.
5. The best method for insulating rim joists:
A. Fiberglass batts only
B. Rigid foam board sealed at edges
C. Loose-fill cellulose
D. No insulation required
Answer: B. Rigid foam board sealed at edges
Rationale: Combines air barrier + insulation in critical leakage area.
6. A missing door sweep leads to:
A. Degraded roof shingles
B. Infiltration at bottom of envelope
C. Poor HVAC control
D. Lower attic temperatures
Page 3 of 50
, Answer: B. Infiltration at bottom of envelope
Rationale: Openings allow cold air entry enhancing stack effect.
7. Heat moves from:
A. Cold to hot
B. High pressure to low pressure only
C. Hot to cold
D. Lower floors to upper floors only
Answer: C. Hot to cold
Rationale: Heat always seeks cooler areas through transfer.
8. A high-efficiency furnace typically vents using:
A. Masonry chimney
B. Atmospheric draft
C. Plastic (PVC) piping
D. Single-wall metal pipe
Answer: C. Plastic (PVC) piping
Rationale: Condensing furnaces use low-temp exhaust via PVC.
Page 4 of 50
(HEP)
ENERGY AUDITOR PRACTICE EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED
SOLUTIONS WITH RATIONALES
1. A safety concern with closed combustion appliances:
A. They lack exhaust systems
B. They use indoor air for combustion
C. They can still malfunction and leak CO
D. They discharge combustion gases indoors
Answer: C. They can still malfunction and leak CO
Page 7 of 65
Rationale: Sealed systems reduce but don’t eliminate CO risks.
Page 8 of 65
2. Proper attic insulation must include:
A. Ventilation baffles
B. Metal vapor barriers
Page 1 of 50
,C. White spray paint
D. Recessed lighting upgrades
Answer: A. Ventilation baffles
Rationale: Baffles maintain airflow from soffits preventing moisture.
3. Which indoor pollutant is associated with soil gas infiltration?
A. Ozone
B. Carbon monoxide
C. Radon
D. Sulfur dioxide
Answer: C. Radon
Rationale: Radon migrates from soil into basements and crawl spaces.
4. What determines attic ventilation needs?
A. Color of shingles
B. Ratio of vent area to attic area
C. Age of home
D. Type of insulation
Page 2 of 50
,Answer: B. Ratio of vent area to attic area
Rationale: Codes specify minimum venting per square footage.
5. The best method for insulating rim joists:
A. Fiberglass batts only
B. Rigid foam board sealed at edges
C. Loose-fill cellulose
D. No insulation required
Answer: B. Rigid foam board sealed at edges
Rationale: Combines air barrier + insulation in critical leakage area.
6. A missing door sweep leads to:
A. Degraded roof shingles
B. Infiltration at bottom of envelope
C. Poor HVAC control
D. Lower attic temperatures
Page 3 of 50
, Answer: B. Infiltration at bottom of envelope
Rationale: Openings allow cold air entry enhancing stack effect.
7. Heat moves from:
A. Cold to hot
B. High pressure to low pressure only
C. Hot to cold
D. Lower floors to upper floors only
Answer: C. Hot to cold
Rationale: Heat always seeks cooler areas through transfer.
8. A high-efficiency furnace typically vents using:
A. Masonry chimney
B. Atmospheric draft
C. Plastic (PVC) piping
D. Single-wall metal pipe
Answer: C. Plastic (PVC) piping
Rationale: Condensing furnaces use low-temp exhaust via PVC.
Page 4 of 50
