Practice Test Geeks(CEA) Certified Energy Analyst Practice Test
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Building Systems & Energy Efficiency Flashcards

7 cards from real CEA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Building Systems & Energy Efficiency flashcards as text

  1. What is the primary function of an economizer cycle in an HVAC system?

    Answer: Use outdoor air for free cooling when conditions allow

    An economizer uses cool outdoor air directly for space cooling when ambient conditions are favorable, reducing mechanical refrigeration energy.

  2. A building's chiller plant has a COP of 4.5. How many kW of cooling are delivered per kW of electrical input?

    Answer: 4.5 kW

    COP (Coefficient of Performance) directly equals the ratio of cooling output to electrical input, so COP 4.5 means 4.5 kW cooling per 1 kW electricity.

  3. Which metric best describes the seasonal cooling efficiency of a residential air conditioner in the US?

    Answer: SEER

    SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) accounts for varying temperature conditions across a cooling season, making it the standard US residential efficiency metric.

  4. In a variable air volume (VAV) system, energy savings over a constant volume system come primarily from:

    Answer: Reduced fan power at part load via cube law

    Fan power follows the affinity laws — reducing airflow by 50% reduces fan power by approximately 87.5% (cube law), yielding substantial energy savings at part load.

  5. What is the purpose of a thermal break in a window frame or curtain wall assembly?

    Answer: Prevent conductive heat transfer through the frame

    A thermal break is a low-conductivity material inserted between interior and exterior frame elements to interrupt conductive heat flow and reduce U-factor.

  6. A lighting system has a connected load of 3.2 W/ft². What is the lighting power density (LPD) if 20% of fixtures are on occupancy sensors that reduce load by 60% during unoccupied hours?

    Answer: 3.2 W/ft²

    Lighting power density is a connected-load metric (W/ft²) and does not account for controls; LPD remains 3.2 W/ft² regardless of sensor operation.

  7. Which building envelope component typically has the greatest impact on heating energy in a cold climate commercial building?

    Answer: Window-to-wall ratio and glazing U-factor

    Windows have far higher U-factors than opaque walls, and in commercial buildings the large glazed area combined with high heat loss makes glazing the dominant envelope heat loss driver.