Certified Energy Auditor Certification Building Envelope Assessment 2

Question 1

Which metric best describes the overall thermal resistance of a wall assembly including framing members?

Accepted Answer

Whole-wall R-value

Answer

Whole-wall R-value accounts for all thermal bridges including framing, corners, and interface details, giving a more realistic measure than center-of-cavity R-value.

Question 2

A blower door test shows 8 ACH50 in a home. Which energy code category does this typically fall into?

Accepted Answer

Leaky — exceeds the 2021 IECC limit

Answer

The 2021 IECC requires ≤3 ACH50 for most climate zones, so 8 ACH50 indicates a significantly leaky building.

Question 3

What is the primary concern with installing a vapor retarder on both sides of a wall cavity?

Accepted Answer

Moisture trapped inside cannot dry to either side

Answer

A double vapor retarder traps moisture within the cavity, preventing drying and promoting mold growth and structural decay.

Question 4

In a thermographic survey, which color in a standard palette typically indicates the coolest surface temperature on an exterior wall scan in heating season?

Accepted Answer

Blue or purple

Answer

In a standard thermal palette, blue and purple represent the lowest temperatures, which on an exterior wall in heating season indicate areas of heat loss or insulation deficiency.

Question 5

What does 'thermal mass' primarily contribute to in a building envelope?

Accepted Answer

Time-shifted peak heat gain or loss

Answer

Thermal mass stores heat energy and releases it slowly, shifting the timing of peak loads rather than directly increasing insulation resistance.

Certified Energy Auditor Certification Practice Test

Certified Energy Auditor Certification Practice Test

Certified Energy Auditor Certification Building Envelope Assessment 2