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About This Quiz
If you have an older home, you may appreciate some troubleshooting tips for hot water and steam distribution systems. Understanding the basic operation of these systems may help you to better maintain them. Take this quiz to see if you are steamed up about how to troubleshoot hot water and steam distribution systems.
Where may you find hot water and steam distribution systems?
new homes
existing homes
New homes do not typically have these systems installed, but existing homes may.
new commercial properties
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Which is a hot water system?
gravity system
hydronic system
both answers
The gravity system and the hydronic system are both hot water systems.
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What fuel is used to power hot water heating systems?
gas, coal or wood
gas, oil or electric
Gas, oil or electric are use to power hot water heating systems.
wood, gas or oil
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Gravity systems heat water _________ degrees Fahrenheit.
120
150
180
Gravity systems heat water to 180 degrees Fahrenheit.
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A hydronic hot water system uses what mechanism to move the water?
motor-driven circulating pump
A motor-driven circulating pump is used to move water. Because of the pump, the water moves faster than with a gravity system and less heat is lost in the process.
fan
neither answer
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What is indicated by hammering noises and a failure to heat?
broken pump
broken fan
incorrect slope
The incorrect slope of the pipes or radiators is indicated by hammering noises and a failure to heat.
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What is the suggested water level of a system's boiler?
half full
The boiler should be kept half full.
three quarter full
full
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What will too little water in the boiler cause?
boiler malfunction
insufficient heating
Too little water may cause insufficient heating.
hammering noise
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What mechanism keeps the boiler around half full?
automatic filling system
An automatic filling system maintains the boiler at the proper water level.
manual filling system
neither answer
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How can you check the expansion tank's water level?
by feel
If the tank feels hot all over, it has too much water and must be drained to allow room for air.
by weight
by indicator
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After draining the expansion tank, how much water should you refill it with?
none
Do not refill the expansion tank; it will fill up with normal system operation.
one to two gallons
two to three gallons
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For proper radiator operation, how should the radiator's inlet valve be set?
one quarter open
half open
fully open
The valve should be opened all the way.
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What is the purpose of a circulator?
pump
A circulator is a pump that pushes hot water towards the home's radiators.
fan
blower
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How often should hot water and steam systems be flushed?
every month
every year
Flush the systems annually.
every two years
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What should you do during a long winter power failure?
drain the system
If pipes are in danger of freezing, drain the hot water system.
turn off the boiler
let the water run
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If some home radiators are hotter than others, what may be the problem?
vents need adjustment
The vents may need adjustment. The vents farthest from the boiler should be opened the most.
boiler needs service
radiator malfunction
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If the circulator pump leaks water, what may be the problem?
damaged seal
The seal may be damaged. A professional is required for this type of repair.
damages coupler
stem packing deterioration
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When the boiler is shut off, what happens to the water in the radiators?
The water will flow back to the boiler.
As the system cools, the water will flow out of the radiators back to the boiler.
The water in radiators stay at a steady level.
Neither answer is correct.
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In older systems, where may the expansion tank be housed?
attic
Older systems may house the expansion tank in the attic, while newer systems hang the tank from the basement ceiling .
basement
close to the boiler
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For hot water and steam systems, what direction will the pipes slope?
toward the boiler
The pipes must slope back toward the boiler.
away from the boiler
neither answer
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You Got:
/20
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