National Home Inspector Examination (NHIE) — Practice Exam
Insulation and ventilation: practice questions
Our Home Inspector (NHIE) bank has 18 questions on this topic. Here are 5 of them with answers; the full mock exam draws from every topic, like the real one.
Question 1
What does high indoor relative humidity in winter often cause?
- Dry skin, static electricity and cracking in wood floors
- Lower heating bills
- Condensation on windows and mold growth
- Cracking wood floors
Show the answer
C. Condensation on windows and mold growth — Moisture movement and its effects are outline topics.
Question 2
Which way do heat and moisture usually move through walls in winter in cold climates?
- They don't move
- From the cold exterior toward the warm interior, driven by the wind
- From outside in
- From the warm, humid interior toward the cold exterior
Show the answer
D. From the warm, humid interior toward the cold exterior — That is why vapor retarders go on the warm-in-winter side.
Question 3
Why are plastic or vinyl flexible dryer ducts a defect?
- They are too stiff to bend around corners
- Code requires them
- They are too expensive
- They are a fire hazard and trap lint
Show the answer
D. They are a fire hazard and trap lint — Listed as a typical exhaust defect.
Question 4
Why should insulation not block soffit vents?
- It meets fire code
- It prevents ice dams
- It makes the insulation work better
- It stops airflow into the attic
Show the answer
D. It stops airflow into the attic — Baffles keep a channel open at the eaves.
Question 5
On which side of the insulation should a vapor retarder usually be installed in cold climates?
- The warm-in-winter (interior) side
- The exterior side, under the siding or roof sheathing
- It doesn't matter
- Neither side
Show the answer
A. The warm-in-winter (interior) side — Improper vapor retarder installation is a typical defect.