Energy Efficiency Flashcards
7 cards from real CPACE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Energy Efficiency flashcards as text
A PACE lender requires a 'technical review' of an energy efficiency project proposal. What does this review primarily assess?
Answer: Whether projected energy savings are reasonable and the measures are sound
Technical review validates that the proposed measures will deliver projected savings and that the project scope and cost are appropriate for the claimed benefits.
What is the primary role of a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) in a commercial HVAC system?
Answer: To modulate motor speed to match actual load, reducing energy consumption
VFDs allow pumps and fans to operate at partial speed when full capacity is not needed, dramatically reducing energy use since power scales with the cube of speed.
In commercial lighting retrofits, what does 'lighting power density' (LPD) measure?
Answer: Watts of lighting per square foot of floor area
LPD (W/sq ft) is the key metric used in energy codes to limit how much power a building's lighting system can consume.
A commercial property installs a cool roof coating. Which mechanism primarily reduces building cooling loads?
Answer: Higher solar reflectance reduces heat absorbed by the roof surface
Cool roofs reflect more sunlight (high solar reflectance), keeping the roof cooler and reducing heat conducted into the building.
Which of the following best describes 'retro-commissioning' as a PACE-eligible energy efficiency measure?
Answer: Systematic process to optimize existing building systems to their intended performance
Retro-commissioning identifies and corrects operational deficiencies in existing systems—such as HVAC scheduling errors or sensor drift—to restore optimal energy performance.
A grocery store replaces open refrigeration cases with doors. What is the primary energy benefit of this PACE measure?
Answer: Doors prevent warm store air from mixing with cold case air, reducing compressor work
Open cases constantly draw in warm, humid store air, forcing compressors to work harder; doors create a thermal barrier that dramatically cuts refrigeration energy use.
What is the significance of a building's 'baseline energy consumption' in a PACE project?
Answer: It establishes pre-retrofit energy use to calculate projected savings from improvements
The baseline captures current energy consumption so that post-installation measurements can quantify the actual savings achieved by PACE-funded improvements.