Insulation and Ventilation

Question 1

An air leak in a supply duct located in an unconditioned attic will cause house air pressure to become ____, since ____ supply air will enter the house than return air that ____ the house.

Answer 1

negative/depressurized
less
exits

Question 2

An air leak in the return duct will ____ the house, since additional air is pulled from the ____ there will be ____ air pressure in the house.

Answer 2

pressurize
attic
positive

Question 3

Crawl space ____ ____ can bring in as much moisture as they remove. ____ crawl spaces are now recommended to reduce crawl space ____ problems.

Answer 3

ventilation openings
closed
moisture

Question 4

Attic ____ problems can sometimes be traced back to the crawl space.

Answer 4

moisture

Question 5

____ insulation comes in rolls and are either ____ ____, which have a ____ ____ such as Kraft paper, foil, or plastic on one side, or ____ ____ which do not have this component.

Answer 5

batt (blanket)
faced batts
vapor retarder
unfaced batts

Question 6

Fiberglass batts range between ____ (standard) to ____ (high density) per inch.

Answer 6

R-3 to R-4

Question 7

Mineral wool and cotton batt insulation are both rated at about ____ per inch of thickness.

Answer 7

R-3.7

Question 8

An unfaced batt does not contain an ____ ____ or ____ ____.

Answer 8

air barrier
vapor retarder

Question 9

____ insulation is made from recycled paper that is treated to become fire retardant. It is usually used as a ____ ____ insulation and has a R-Value of ____ per inch of thickness.

Answer 9

Cellulose
loose fill
R-3.5

Question 10

Cellulose and mineral wool are both ____ than fiberglass, which can cause issues when installed in attics with ___ inches on center framing and/or ___ inch thick drywall ceilings.

Answer 10

heavier
24”
1/2”

Question 11

Sheet and spray foam insulation may need protection from ____ because they are ____. Additionally, they create ____ ____ when burned.

Answer 11

ignition
flammable
toxic smoke

Question 12

Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) foam board has an R-value of about ___ per inch thickness. The permeability of 1” of EPS is about ___. It is therefore a ____ ____ ____. It is also an ____ ____ if the seams are sealed. EPS is also available in loose fill with a value of ___ per inch thickness.

Answer 12

R-4
5.0
Class III Vapor retarder
air barrier
R-2.5

Question 13

Extruded Polystyrene (XPS) foam board insulation is usually ____, ____, or ____ in color. It has an R-value of about ___ per inch thickness and a permeability of ___ per inch. It is therefore a ____ ____ ____. XPS is also an ____ ____ if the seams are sealed.

Answer 13

pink, blue, green
R-5
1.1
Class III Vapor retarder
air barrier

Question 14

Polyisocyanurate or polyurethane are either ____ or ____ in color. They have a layer of ____ ____ or ____ ____ on each side, which makes them ____ ____ ____. They begin with an R-value of ____, however they off-gas over time and this value is reduced to about ____ over time. They both are ____ ____ if the seams are sealed.

Answer 14

yellow or orange
foil paper or radiant barrier
Class I Vapor retarders
R-8
R-6
air barriers

Question 15

Closed cell spray foam, often called ___ lb foam, is an effective ____ ____ and ____ ____ which does not allow the passage of ____ ____. It also adds some ____ rigidity. It’s R-value is about ___ per inch.

Answer 15

2 lb
air barrier and vapor retarder
liquid water
structural
R-6

Question 16

Open cell spray foam, often referred to as ___ lb foam, allows the passage of ____ ____ and is not a ____ ____. It is an effective ____ ____. It’s R-value is about ___ per inch.

Answer 16

1/2 lb
liquid water
vapor retarder
air barrier
R-3.7

Question 17

_____ is a type of volcanic rock made of silica and oxygen. It can be used as insulation and has an R-value of about ____ per inch. It is ____ or ____ in color and has a gravel like appearance. Much of this material is contaminated with _____ and it’s presence should be reported and recommended for _____.

Answer 17

vermiculite
R-2.4
gray/brown or silver/gold
asbestos
testing

Question 18

_____ is similar to vermiculite and appears as a course white gravel. When used as loose fill it has an R-value of about ___ per inch. Unlike vermiculite, it is not contaminated with _____.

Answer 18

perlite
R-2.4
asbestos

Question 19

____ ____ ____ ____ is a type of spray foam used in the 70’s and 80’s that is no longer used in residential applications due to ____ ____ of ____. It is no longer a health concern since the ____ ____has already subsided over time.

Answer 19

Urea Formaldehyde Foam Insulation
off gassing of formaldehyde
off gassing

Question 20

Insulation should be in contact with any ____ ____ to a conditioned space including the ____ ____, ____ ____, or ____ ____.

Answer 20

air barrier
wall covering
attic floor
floor sheathing

Question 21

____ should be installed at ventilation openings to prevent insulation from ____ the openings.

Answer 21

baffles
blocking

Question 22

Insulation should be ____ to fit around obstructions or to fit in ____ between studs or joists that are not the same size. Insulation should never be ____ to fit in these areas.

Answer 22

cut
spaces/cavities
compressed

Question 23

Insulation should not contact ____ ____ ____ that are not listed for insulation contact. Examples include ____ ____, ____, and ____ ____.

Answer 23

heat generating components
appliance vents
chimneys
recessed lights

Question 24

____ ____ vapor retarder should not be exposed. It is a fire hazard. Vapor retarders also should not be installed facing ____ ____.

Answer 24

Kraft paper
unconditioned space

Question 25

Do not install ____ vapor retarders, or any at all unless prescribed. Exposed vapor retarders such as foam plastic may be a ____ ____.

Answer 25

multiple
fire hazard

Question 26

A ____ ____ ____ or ____ is required under all exterior wall cladding in new homes.

Answer 26

water resistive barrier or WRB

Question 27

Older homes may have ____ ____ ____ ____ (also called _____) or ____ ____ ____ to serve as a WRB.

Answer 27

asphalt saturated Kraft paper
grade D
asphalt saturated felt

Question 28

All WRB’s, including ____ ____, ____ ____, and ____, should have horizontal seams lapped top over bottom at least ___ inches, and vertical seams lapped at least ___ inches.

Answer 28

house wrap, tar/asphalt paper, felt
2”
6”

Question 29

____ ____ are not insulation and provide no R-value. They simply block infrared radiation so that it doesn’t enter the attic. It is usually a ____ ____ and works best when there is an ____ ____ between it and the surface above.

Answer 29

Radiant barriers
reflective foil
air space/gap

Question 30

_____ deals with heat loss that occurs at openings such as doors and windows. These areas require ____ and ____ to reduce water and air infiltration.

Answer 30

fenestration
flashing and air sealing

Question 31

New air sealing standards often cause new homes to require ____ ____ ____ ____. This may be achieved through ____ or ____ ventilation.

Answer 31

whole house mechanical ventilation
intermittent or continuous

Question 32

Intermittent whole house ventilation is usually achieved through a combination of connecting an ____ ____ ____ to the HVAC return and use of ____ ____ systems, such as in bathrooms and kitchens.

Answer 32

outside air duct
local exhaust

Question 33

When an outside air duct is installed in an HVAC return, an ____ ____ is required to close the system when HVAC is not operating.

Answer 33

automatic damper

Question 34

Continuous mechanical ventilation is achieved by using a ____ ____ ____ ____ (____) or ____ ____ ____ ____ (____). These systems can also be intermittent.

Answer 34

Heat Recovery Ventilation Systems
HRV
Energy Recovery Ventilation System ERV

Question 35

During the heating seasons, ERV’s and HRV’s transfer some of the ____ from ____ ___ to the ____ ____ entering the home.

Answer 35

heat from exhaust air
ventilation air

Question 36

During cooling seasons, ERV’s and HRV’s transfer some to the ____ from ventilation air ____ ____ ____ into the ____ ____ leaving the home.

Answer 36

heat
entering the home
exhaust air

Question 37

HRV’s only transfer ____ between incoming supply and outgoing exhaust air, while ERV’s transfer both ____ and ____, the latter of which has the added benefit of reducing the ____ ____ on the air conditioning system.

Answer 37

heat
heat and moisture
latent load

Question 38

____ ____ ventilation systems operate independently from the HVAC system.

Answer 38

fully ducted

Question 39

____ ____ ventilation systems use exhaust ducts such as those in bathrooms/kitchens to remove pollutants and provides ventilation air through the HVAC return duct.

Answer 39

partially ducted

Question 40

____ ____ ventilation systems draws pollutants through the HVAC return duct and then provides ventilation air further downstream in the HVAC return duct.

Answer 40

simplified ducted

Question 41

____ may be installed in any climate, however are recommended for cold climates. ____ are recommended for mild climates and not cold climates.

Answer 41

HRV’s
ERV’s

Question 42

Mechanical air intake openings should be at least ___ ft horizontally or ___ ft below a chimney, fuel burning appliance vent, plumbing vent, or exhaust termination, and ___ ft from the HRV/ERV exhaust termination.

Answer 42

10’
3’
6’

Question 43

Exterior exhaust openings should be at least ___ ft from a door, operable window, or property line. They should also be at least ___ ft horizontally or ___ ft above and a minimum ____ ft away from mechanical air intake openings.

Answer 43

3’
10’
3’
6’

Question 44

Exterior ventilation openings should be protected by a ____, ____, or ____.

Answer 44

screen, louvers, or grille

Question 45

Air intake for mechanical exhaust should have a ____ which must be ____ ____, as should the ____ ____ ____.

Answer 45

filter
maintained regularly
heat exchanger core

Question 46

A ____ ____ ____ is installed in the ceiling and traditionally, when activated ____ in the ceiling will open and it will pull air through open windows and exhaust air into the attic. Newer styles exhaust the air through an opening in the ____ or ____ ____ and use ____ to pull air from an opening in the ceiling.

Answer 46

whole house fan
louvers
roof or gable wall
ducts

Question 47

Whole house fans are effective in ____ and ____ climates and less effective in ____ and ____ climates.

Answer 47

cool and dry
warm and humid

Question 48

Whole house fans should not be used when a ____ ____ draws ____ air from inside the house. They should not be installed in homes in which the attic may have ____ containing substances such as ____ ____ or any other toxic substance.

Answer 48

combustion appliance
combustion
asbestos
vermiculite insulation

Question 49

Whole house fans that exhaust into the attic should have ____ ____. This usually requires the attic to have a ratio of ___ sq ft of net free ventilation area per ___ cubic ft per minute of fan air flow.

Answer 49

sufficient ventilation
1 sq ft
750 cu ft

Question 50

____ ____ ____ include those for the kitchen, bathrooms, laundry and clothes dryer. These should not be referred to of as ____, which refers to plumbing and fuel fired appliances.

Answer 50

Local exhaust systems
vents

Question 51

All air intake and exhaust terminations should have a ____ which should have openings between ___ and ___. It should also have a ____ that automatically closes when the system is not operating. If connected to HVAC, it should have a ____. Most of these requirements do not apply to ____ ____.

Answer 51

screen
1/4” and 1/2”
damper
filter
clothes dryers

Question 52

Clothes dryer exhaust ducts should be ___ inches in diameter, ___ gauge, and made of smooth wall ____. A ____ is not allowed. Ducts sections should be installed so the the small end inserts into the larger end in the ____ ____ ____. Sections should be fastened with rivets or ____ ____ not longer than ___ inch.

Answer 52

4”
28 ga
metal
screen
direction of flow
metal screws
1/8”

Question 53

Clothes dryer exhaust duct should be supported every ___ ft or ___ ft for gas dryers. Total developed length should not exceed ___ ft. In calculating developed length you must add ___ ft for 90° bends and ___ ft for 45° bends to the length of the straight sections. This does not include the length of the ____ ____, which may be up to ___ ft in length.

Answer 53

12’
4’
35’
5’
2.5’
transition duct
8’

Question 54

Transition duct is the ____ ____ between clothes dryer and ____ ____. It may not be more than ___ ft long and should be as ___ as possible to achieve its purpose. It may not pass through ____, ____, or ____ and may not be ____.

Answer 54

flexible duct
exhaust duct
8’
short
walls, ceilings, floors
concealed

Question 55

Clothes dryers and ____ ____ are out of scope of home inspections, however the ____ ____ is not and some inspectors may comment on the ____ ____ as well.

Answer 55

transition duct
exhaust duct
transition duct

Question 56

____ ____ located in a closet should be provided an ____ of at least 100 sq in to provide makeup ____.

Answer 56

gas dryers
opening
air

Question 57

Clothes dryer exhaust ducts should terminate to the ____not in ____ or ____ ____.

Answer 57

exterior
attics
crawl space

Question 58

Clothes dryer exhaust ducts should not terminate within ___ ft of a condenser.

Answer 58

3’

Question 59

An ____ ____ is not required in a kitchen, however if installed it should duct to the outdoors unless ____ ____ ____ is provided or there is an ____ ____ nearby.

Answer 59

exhaust fan
whole house ventilation
operable window

Question 60

Kitchen exhaust fans should operate at a rate of at least ___ cu ft per minute, and makeup air is required if the rate exceeds ___ cu ft per minute and there is a gas, liquid, or solid ____ ____ ____ inside the home. Exceptions exist for ____ vented and ____ draft appliances.

Answer 60

100
400
fuel burning appliance
direct
mechanical

Question 61

Kitchen exhaust ducts above ground should be made of ____ ____ ____ with a ____ ____ surface. Approved materials are _____, _____, and _____.

Answer 61

single wall metal
smooth interior
galvanized steel, stainless steel, copper

Question 62

Kitchen exhaust ducts should be equipped with a ____ and a ____ ____.

Answer 62

damper
grease filter

Question 63

Local exhaust fans are required in _____ if unless there is whole house mechanical ventilation or the room has an operable window. The fan should operate at a rate of at least ___ cu ft per minute when operated by switch

Answer 63

bathrooms
50

Question 64

Bathroom exhaust fans should be exhausted to the ____, however this is a new requirement and ____ homes that are exhausted elsewhere are not necessarily deficient.

Answer 64

exterior
older

Question 65

Bathroom exhaust should not be connected to _____ ____ or other ____.

Answer 65

plumbing vent
systems

Question 66

Adequate _____ is required in roof structures with or without an accessible attic. This includes ____ ceilings, ____ ____ roofs, and attics above ____ ____. The alternative to this requirement is to ____ the attic area and have it become a ____ ____.

Answer 66

ventilation
vaulted
low slope
unconditioned spaces
seal
conditioned space

Question 67

Attic ventilation prevents ____ ____ during ____, helps to remove ____ ____, and reduces attic ____ during ____.

Answer 67

ice dams during winter
water vapor
temperature during summer

Question 68

Ridge ventilation openings should not be installed with ____ ventilation openings, as these are competing systems. Instead, ridge vents should be paired with ____ ventilation openings.

Answer 68

gable
eave

Question 69

Recessed lights should be ____ ____ and rated for ____ ____ in order to maintain a proper seal and insulation between attic and conditioned space.

Answer 69

air sealed
insulation contact

Question 70

The default attic ventilation area requirement is ___ sq ft of net free area for ____ sq ft of attic floor area. This is reduced to ___ sq ft per ___ sq ft floor area in attics using prescribed ratio of ridge and eave openings.

Answer 70

1
150
1
300

Question 71

Screens covering ventilation openings should have a maximum opening size of ___ inch. Screens reduce opening area by at least ___ %. Louvers or grilles reduce by at least ___%.

Answer 71

1/4”
25%
50%

Question 72

Ridge openings should account for ___ to ___% of attic vent opening area with the remainder at the eaves. Ridge vents should be located at the ____ but may be located no more than ____ feet below the ridge.

Answer 72

40-50%
ridge
3’

Question 73

____ should be installed at the eaves or in any roof structure in which insulation may block ventilation air flow. At least a ___ inch space for air flow is required.

Answer 73

baffles
1”

Question 74

____ or ____ percentage of ridge vent openings to eave openings will create neutral or slightly pressurized attic, which helps reduce air leakage from the ____ ____.

Answer 74

equal or smaller
conditioned space

Question 75

____ should be installed in vaulted ceilings, and those with skylights should have a method of continuous ventilation such as ____ ____ above and below the skylight or ____ the trimmer rafters on each side.

Answer 75

Baffles
ventilation openings
notching

Question 76

____ ____ around skylights and recessed lighting in vaulted ceilings could be a sign of ____ caused by poor ventilation. The inspector should recommend evaluation by both a ____ and ____ contractor.

Answer 76

moisture/water staining
condensation
roofing and insulation

Question 77

____ ____ are allowed, however they do not vent well and are subject to water intrusion.

Answer 77

gable vents

Question 78

A ____ ____ is conditioned space even if there are no HVAC openings inside. ____ and ____ ____ should be installed above or below the roof sheathing, and at gable walls the same as in walls and ceilings in other conditioned spaces of the house.

Answer 78

closed attic
insulation
vapor retarders

Question 79

Essential details and improper installations of insulation and vapor retarders in closed attic systems may ____ ____ ____ and inspectors should report this ____ and recommend ____.

Answer 79

not be visible
limitation
evaluation

Question 80

Inspectors should confirm that some form of ____ exists under most roof coverings in closed attic systems or ____ that it could not be ____.

Answer 80

ventilation
report
confirmed

Question 81

A ____ ____ ____ should not be installed on the attic floor or at the ceiling above a closed attic space.

Answer 81

Class I Vapor retarder

Question 82

In cold climates, air impermeable insulation should be a ____ ____ ____ or should have ____ ____ ____ applied to attic ceiling side of the insulation.

Answer 82

class II vapor retarder
class III Vapor retarder

Question 83

When air-permeable insulation is used in closed attics in climate zones 1, 2, and 3 a ____ ____ ____ is required. Lack of this is a reportable defect, even in older homes since it can result in long term ____ problems in the attic

Answer 83

Vapor diffusion port
condensation

Question 84

Crawl spaces should be either ____ or ____ and inspectors should verify if either is done adequately and if ____ the inspector should advise the client of problems that could arise.

Answer 84

ventilated or closed
ventilated

Question 85

Crawl space net free ventilation area may be reduced to ___ sq ft per ___ sq ft of crawl space floor if a ____ ____ ____ is applied to the crawl space floor.

Answer 85

1
1500
Class I Vapor retarder

Question 86

It is recommended that most crawl spaces should be ____, except in ____ prone areas.

Answer 86

closed
flood

Question 87

The floor of a closed crawl space should have a vapor retarder installed with a minimum thickness of ___ mil, with seams lapped at least ___ inches, which should be ____ or ____ and turned up the crawl space ____ and ____ and ____ there as well. If radon mitigation is required, it should be installed ____ the vapor retarder.

Answer 87

6
6”
taped or sealed
walls and piers
sealed
below/before

Question 88

Closed crawl spaces should be provided with ____ ____ at a rate of ___ cu ft per minute per ___ sq ft of crawl space floor. This may be provided by a ____ ____ ____ that exhausts to the ____ or by providing ____ ____ to the crawl space.

Answer 88

ventilation air
1
50
continuously operating fan
exterior
conditioned air

Question 89

Conditioned crawl spaces require a ____ ____ ____ to the house interior or some other ____ to the house interior that should be covered by a ____. This component serves to equalize pressures but should not be connected to the ____ ____ ____.

Answer 89

pressure relief duct
opening
grille
HVAC return duct

Question 90

Crawl space walls, including framed walls and ____ ____ or ____ ____ should be ____ on either inside or outside of the wall. Access doors should be ____ ____ and ____ the same as other exterior doors. A ____ ____ in the insulation of about ____ inches is required in termite prone areas for termite tubes to be seen.

Answer 90

band joists or rim joists
insulated
weather stripped and insulated
small gap
2-3”

Question 91

Although still used by some contractors, ____ ____ with ____ ____ insulation is no longer a recommended method to insulate concrete or masonry foundation walls in any climate.

Answer 91

stud walls with fiberglass batt

Question 92

The current recommended method for insulating foundation walls is ____ ____ ____ on the ____ or ____ of the wall. New construction should utilize the ____ ____, since this can be integrated with the ____ system. Retrofitted homes will likely utilize the ____ wall and may use ____ ____ or ____ ____, the latter a better option since ____ ____ will not be necessary.

Answer 92

vapor impermeable insulation
interior or exterior
exterior wall
WRB (water resistive barrier)
interior
sheet insulation or spray foam
sealing seams

Question 93

A basement should not be insulated and finished unless there is reasonable certainty that all ____ ____ ____ has been stopped. Any problems with ____, ____, ____, and ____ ____ should be addressed first.

Answer 93

liquid water intrusion
grading, drainage, gutters, and landscape irrigation

Question 94

When inspecting finished basements, inspectors should report all evidence of ____ stains and ____ growth, ____, ____ smells, presence of ____, and stained or loose ____ ____.

Answer 94

water stains and fungal growth
Rust (drywall and trim nails, exposed metal)
Musty smells
dehumidifier
Stained/loose floor coverings

Question 95

When inspecting finished basements, inspectors should disclaim inspection of ____ ____, such as framing or exterior components, and recommend further ____ and possible ____ testing, which is out of scope for home inspections. Clients should be advised that all basements ____ ____ ____.

Answer 95

concealed components
evaluation
destructive
will eventually leak