CEM Building Envelope and Insulation

Question 1

What does the R-value of insulation measure?

Accepted Answer

Thermal resistance to heat flow in hr·ft²·°F/BTU

Answer

R-value measures the resistance of insulation to heat flow; higher R-values indicate better insulating performance.

Question 2

The U-factor of a window assembly represents:

Accepted Answer

Overall heat transfer coefficient in BTU/(hr·ft²·°F)

Answer

U-factor is the rate of heat transfer through a window assembly per unit area per degree of temperature difference, with lower values indicating better insulation.

Question 3

Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of a window measures:

Accepted Answer

The fraction of incident solar radiation admitted through the window

Answer

SHGC ranges from 0 to 1 and represents the fraction of solar energy that passes through the window as heat gain into the building.

Question 4

Air infiltration through a building envelope wastes energy primarily because:

Accepted Answer

Unconditioned outdoor air must be heated or cooled to maintain indoor comfort

Answer

Infiltrating outdoor air at different temperatures from indoor setpoints requires the HVAC system to expend energy conditioning that air, increasing heating and cooling costs.

Question 5

A blower door test is used to:

Accepted Answer

Quantify building envelope air leakage at a standardized pressure

Answer

A blower door depressurizes the building to 50 Pa and measures airflow required to maintain that pressure, quantifying total envelope leakage.

CEM - Certified Energy Manager Practice Test

CEM - Certified Energy Manager Practice Test

CEM Building Envelope and Insulation