Practice Exam Questions And Correct

Geothermal Technician Certification Practice Exam Questions And Correct Answers (Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf

• Which type of geothermal system uses underground loops to transfer

heat to and from the earth?

• Air-source heat pump
• Ground-source heat pump
• Solar thermal system
• Biomass heating system

Rationale: Ground-source heat pumps utilize the relatively constant

temperature of the earth through buried loops for heating and cooling. 1 / 4

• What is the primary working fluid used in most closed-loop

geothermal heat pump systems?

• Ammonia
• Ethanol
• Water or water-antifreeze mixture
• Propane

Rationale: Closed-loop systems circulate water or a water-antifreeze

mixture through buried pipes to transfer heat.

• What does the “COP” of a geothermal heat pump stand for?
• Coefficient of Performance
• Cost of Operation
• Coefficient of Performance
• Capacity of Pressure

Rationale: COP measures the efficiency of a heat pump, calculated as

the ratio of heating or cooling provided to electrical energy consumed.

• Which geothermal system configuration is most suitable for small

residential applications?

• Open-loop
• Closed-loop
• Enhanced geothermal system
• Dry steam system 2 / 4

Rationale: Closed-loop systems are more common for residential use

due to their reliability and minimal environmental impact.

• Which of the following is a common antifreeze used in geothermal

loop systems?

• Ethylene glycol
• Diesel
• Mineral oil
• Propylene glycol

Rationale: Propylene glycol is often used because it is less toxic than

ethylene glycol and prevents freezing in the loop.

• In vertical closed-loop systems, boreholes are typically drilled to a

depth of:

• 10–50 ft
• 50–100 ft
• 150–500 ft
• 500–1000 ft

Rationale: Vertical boreholes reach deeper to access consistent

ground temperatures, often 150–500 feet deep.

7. The primary source of geothermal energy is:

• Solar radiation
• Wind energy
• Heat from the Earth’s core
• Hydropower 3 / 4

Rationale: Geothermal energy originates from heat stored in the

Earth, including radioactive decay and residual formation heat.

8. Open-loop geothermal systems require:

• No water
• A constant supply of groundwater
• Underground coils only
• Solar panels

Rationale: Open-loop systems pump water from a well or surface

source to transfer heat before discharging it.

• Which material is commonly used for geothermal loop piping?
• Copper
• Steel
• High-density polyethylene (HDPE)

D. PVC

Rationale: HDPE is flexible, durable, and resistant to corrosion,

making it ideal for geothermal loops.

• What is the main environmental concern with open-loop

geothermal systems?

• Noise pollution
• Groundwater contamination
• Air pollution
• Electromagnetic interference
• / 4