Practice Test Geeks(HERS) Home Energy Rater Certification Practice Test
← All HERS Flashcard Decks

Energy Modeling Software 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 Energy Modeling Software flashcards as text

  1. Which RESNET standard governs the accreditation of HERS rating software tools?

    Answer: RESNET/ICC Standard 301

    RESNET/ICC Standard 301 defines the procedures and calculation methods that accredited HERS rating software tools must follow.

  2. A home has a conditioned floor area of 2,400 sq ft and an unconditioned garage. How should the garage be modeled in HERS software?

    Answer: Model the garage as an unconditioned adjacent space with the shared wall as part of the thermal envelope

    An unconditioned garage is modeled as an adjacent unconditioned space, with the shared wall, ceiling, or floor treated as part of the home's thermal boundary.

  3. What software input is used to model a whole-house dehumidifier in REM/Rate?

    Answer: It is entered under miscellaneous electric loads with its rated capacity and efficiency

    Standalone dehumidifiers are typically entered as miscellaneous electric loads in REM/Rate, since they are not integrated HVAC components.

  4. When a rater updates a preliminary 'design rating' to a final 'confirmed rating' in HERS software, which values typically change?

    Answer: Inputs are updated to reflect as-built conditions, including tested blower door and duct leakage results

    A confirmed rating replaces estimated design values with field-verified data including measured air leakage, duct leakage, and verified insulation levels.

  5. In HERS modeling software, what is the impact of selecting 'sealed combustion' versus 'atmospheric' for a gas furnace?

    Answer: Sealed combustion units draw combustion air from outside, reducing indoor air infiltration and improving IAQ

    Sealed combustion furnaces use dedicated outdoor air supply, which prevents depressurization and does not draw on conditioned indoor air for combustion.

  6. What is the role of climate data (TMY files) in HERS energy simulation software?

    Answer: They provide hourly weather data (temperature, solar, humidity) that drives the annual energy simulation

    Typical Meteorological Year (TMY) files provide the 8,760-hour annual weather dataset the simulation engine uses to calculate hourly heating, cooling, and solar interactions.

  7. A rater is rating a home with a mini-split heat pump. Which efficiency rating should be entered in the HERS software for the cooling mode?

    Answer: SEER or SEER2 (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) as listed on the AHRI certificate

    HERS software uses the SEER or SEER2 rating from the AHRI certificate to model seasonal cooling efficiency of mini-split and ducted heat pump systems.