Practice Test Geeks(HERS) Certified Home Energy Rating System Rater Practice Test
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Building Science Principles Flashcards

7 cards from real HERS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Building Science Principles flashcards as text

  1. How does wind-driven rain most commonly enter a wall assembly in a climate with high wind exposure?

    Answer: Forced water entry through gaps and cracks under pressure

    Wind pressure forces liquid water through gaps, cracks, and penetrations in the cladding and air barrier under positive pressure.

  2. What is 'interstitial condensation' in a building assembly?

    Answer: Condensation forming within the layers of a wall, roof, or floor assembly

    Interstitial condensation occurs inside the building assembly layers when vapor migrates to a surface that is at or below the dew point.

  3. A building with tight construction and mechanical ventilation exemplifies which principle from ASHRAE 62.2?

    Answer: Build tight, ventilate right

    ASHRAE 62.2 embraces the 'build tight, ventilate right' approach, using controlled mechanical ventilation instead of uncontrolled air leakage.

  4. Which type of foundation is most susceptible to ground moisture intrusion by capillary action?

    Answer: Slab-on-grade without capillary break

    Concrete slabs placed directly on soil without a capillary break (gravel layer or poly film) allow moisture to wick upward continuously.

  5. In whole-building energy modeling, what does the term 'internal gains' refer to?

    Answer: Heat generated inside the building by occupants, lighting, and appliances

    Internal gains are heat sources within the conditioned space—occupants, lights, cooking, and plug loads—that contribute to the cooling load.

  6. What is the function of a 'drain plane' or 'drainage plane' in a wall assembly?

    Answer: To channel any water that gets past the cladding back out of the assembly

    A drainage plane (housewrap, building paper, or similar) sheds water that penetrates the cladding and directs it out of the wall system.

  7. Which metric is used to quantify the airtightness of a building in a blower door test?

    Answer: CFM50 or ACH50

    Blower door results are reported as CFM50 (cubic feet per minute at 50 Pa) or ACH50 (air changes per hour at 50 Pa depressurization.