Certified Energy Auditor Certification Building Envelope Assessment 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In Climate Zone 6 per ASHRAE 90.1, what is the primary reason exterior continuous insulation is placed outside the sheathing rather than inside the stud cavity?
- Interior placement violates fire code
- Exterior placement keeps the sheathing warm and above the dew point (Correct answer)
- Interior rigid foam reduces usable floor area more than exterior
- Exterior placement improves visible transmittance of windows
Correct answer: Exterior placement keeps the sheathing warm and above the dew point
Placing continuous insulation on the exterior keeps the sheathing temperature above the dew point of interior air in cold climates, reducing condensation risk within the wall assembly.
Question 2: Which metric is used to evaluate the energy performance of skylights in commercial buildings under ASHRAE 90.1?
- Effective aperture
- Daylight factor
- U-factor and SHGC per the fenestration schedule (Correct answer)
- Glazing area as a percent of floor area only
Correct answer: U-factor and SHGC per the fenestration schedule
ASHRAE 90.1 evaluates skylight performance through prescribed maximum U-factor and SHGC values based on climate zone, listed in fenestration tables.
Question 3: An auditor measures R-19 batt insulation compressed into a 3.5-inch cavity. What is the likely actual performance?
- R-19 — compression does not affect performance
- Approximately R-15 due to compression loss
- R-13 or less — compression significantly reduces R-value (Correct answer)
- R-21 — compression increases density and R-value
Correct answer: R-13 or less — compression significantly reduces R-value
Compressing fiberglass batt insulation significantly reduces its R-value; an R-19 batt compressed to a 3.5-inch space may perform at R-13 or below.
Question 4: Which type of window frame material has the highest thermal conductance (worst thermal performance)?
- Vinyl (PVC)
- Wood
- Aluminum without a thermal break (Correct answer)
- Fiberglass
Correct answer: Aluminum without a thermal break
Aluminum is a highly conductive metal; without a thermal break (an insulating separator), aluminum frames conduct heat rapidly, resulting in poor thermal performance.
Question 5: What is the function of a drainage plane (weather-resistive barrier) behind cladding on an exterior wall?
- Primary air barrier for envelope tightness
- Secondary water control layer that drains bulk water away from the sheathing (Correct answer)
- Vapor retarder to prevent diffusion
- Structural backup for the cladding system
Correct answer: Secondary water control layer that drains bulk water away from the sheathing
The drainage plane, such as housewrap or building paper, acts as a secondary water control layer that directs any bulk water that penetrates the cladding away from moisture-sensitive materials.
Question 6: During a duct pressurization test, a technician measures 15% duct leakage to outside. What is the primary energy impact of this finding?
- Reduced filtration efficiency
- Conditioned air is lost directly to the exterior, increasing heating and cooling loads (Correct answer)
- Increased static pressure improving airflow
- Higher humidity levels inside the duct system
Correct answer: Conditioned air is lost directly to the exterior, increasing heating and cooling loads
Duct leakage to outside means conditioned air is delivered to unconditioned space (attic, crawlspace) rather than living areas, directly wasting heating and cooling energy.
Question 7: Which building envelope detail is most critical for preventing ice dams on sloped roofs in cold climates?
- Using dark-colored roofing shingles to melt snow
- Installing continuous air and thermal barrier at the ceiling plane with adequate attic ventilation (Correct answer)
- Applying waterproof membrane only at eaves
- Increasing roof slope to encourage snow shedding
Correct answer: Installing continuous air and thermal barrier at the ceiling plane with adequate attic ventilation
Ice dams form when heat escaping through the ceiling warms the roof deck and melts snow, which refreezes at the cold eaves; a continuous air and thermal barrier stops this heat loss.
Certified Energy Auditor Certification Building Envelope Assessment 4
In Climate Zone 6 per ASHRAE 90.1, what is the primary reason exterior continuous insulation is placed outside the sheathing rather than inside the stud cavity?