HVAC Excellence Heat Pump study plan

Draw the vapor-compression cycle from memory and label all four components, both pressure sides, and the state of refrigerant at each point

Define saturation temperature, superheat, subcooling, and glide, and state the numeric relationship between them for a fixed metering device

Compare heating COP, cooling EER, and HSPF, and compute each from a set of given capacity and power inputs

Explain reverse-cycle operation, including how the reversing valve swaps the roles of the indoor and outdoor coils in heating versus cooling

Identify each major component on a cutaway or schematic: compressor, reversing valve, accumulators, receivers, TXV or EEV, check valves, and defrost controls

Describe the operating sequence of a demand defrost board, including sensor inputs, initiation, termination, and the backup time limit

Trace the defrost cycle refrigerant and airflow path and explain why the auxiliary heat is energized during defrost

Distinguish scroll, reciprocating, and rotary compressor behavior under low-load and floodback conditions

Read a heat pump wiring diagram and trace the low-voltage call from thermostat through the defrost board to the contactor and auxiliary heat relay

Interpret the defrost board terminal designations (R, C, Y, O/B, W, and sensor inputs) and state the voltage expected at each terminal in each mode

Test a reversing valve solenoid, a defrost thermistor, and a contactor coil with a meter and state pass/fail criteria

Explain the difference between the O and B reversing-valve energization conventions and what happens if the thermostat is misconfigured

Size and select line sets and calculate equivalent length including fittings and filter-drier pressure drop

Apply the correct brazing procedure: nitrogen purge, heat control, and evacuation to a target micron level with a decay test

Verify airflow by measuring external static pressure and comparing it to the blower performance table

Calculate required airflow in cfm from nominal capacity and confirm it against the manufacturer's table for heating and cooling modes

Determine the correct charge method for a given system type: weigh-in, subcooling, superheat, or approach, and justify the choice

Calculate target superheat for a fixed-orifice system from indoor wet-bulb and outdoor dry-bulb using the manufacturer's chart

Compute subcooling and superheat from gauge and line-temperature readings and compare them to the manufacturer's target values

Interpret a performance curve to predict expected capacity and power at non-standard outdoor temperatures

Diagnose undercharge, overcharge, and restricted metering device from a set of superheat, subcooling, and pressure readings

Distinguish the symptoms of a restricted liquid line, a restricted suction line, and a failing compressor

Explain safe refrigerant handling: recovery requirements, cylinder filling limits, and leak detection before evacuation

Identify the electrical hazards specific to heat pumps, including dual power supplies and capacitor discharge

Diagnose a reversing valve that fails to shift, including the temperature-difference test across the valve ports

Troubleshoot a defrost system that ices the outdoor coil, distinguishing sensor, board, and reversing-valve causes

Test compressor windings, capacitors, and contactors with a meter and state the expected readings

Apply lockout/tagout and safe meter practices when working on energized low-voltage and de-energized line-voltage circuits

Review all five domains using a weighted checklist that matches the exam's 20 percent per-domain split

Re-drill the weakest two domains identified by prior practice scores until each reaches a consistent passing margin

Practice timed mixed-domain question sets and review every miss for the underlying concept, not just the answer

Rehearse the calculations most likely to appear: superheat, subcooling, target charge, airflow, and COP