HVAC Contractor Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Test Prep

The term 'fresh air intake' in HVAC specifically refers to the introduction of outside air into the HVAC system for ventilation purposes. This is essential for maintaining indoor air quality by ensuring that there is an adequate supply of fresh air, which dilutes indoor pollutants, provides oxygen, and helps to maintain comfort levels within a building. Fresh air intake systems are designed to draw in external air, which is typically filtered and conditioned before being distributed throughout the indoor environment.

Utilizing fresh air is crucial because without it, indoor spaces can become stuffy and filled with pollutants from everyday activities, leading to poor air quality and potentially harmful health effects. Fresh air intakes are often integrated into HVAC systems to improve ventilation effectiveness and comply with building codes and occupancy requirements for fresh air flow.

In contrast, recycled air refers to air that has been previously circulated within a space and is returned to the system without being replaced by new outdoor air. Filtering air before circulation is an important function but does not inherently mean the introduction of fresh air, as it could involve conditioning recirculated air. Reducing indoor air pollution is an outcome of having effective fresh air intake, but the term itself specifically focuses on the actions of bringing in outdoor air.