CPACE Efficiency Improvements 2

Question 1

Under CPACE financing, which building system upgrade typically delivers the fastest simple payback period?

Accepted Answer

Lighting retrofit to LED

Answer

LED lighting retrofits typically achieve payback periods of 2–4 years due to large wattage reductions and low installation costs.

Question 2

A commercial building owner uses CPACE to finance a Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) on HVAC fans. The primary energy benefit of a VFD is:

Accepted Answer

It reduces motor energy use by matching speed to actual load demand

Answer

VFDs reduce energy consumption by slowing motor speed when full airflow isn't needed, following the affinity law where power drops with the cube of speed reduction.

Question 3

Which CPACE-eligible measure directly reduces a building's peak demand charge on its utility bill?

Accepted Answer

Battery energy storage systems (BESS)

Answer

Battery storage systems discharge during peak demand periods, reducing the measured peak kW that drives demand charges on commercial utility bills.

Question 4

An energy audit for a CPACE project identifies 'plug loads' as a significant waste source. Which measure addresses plug load efficiency?

Accepted Answer

Installing smart power strips and advanced power management

Answer

Smart power strips eliminate phantom loads from equipment in standby mode, directly reducing plug load energy waste.

Question 5

In a CPACE efficiency project, what does 'commissioning' refer to?

Accepted Answer

The process of verifying installed systems operate as designed to achieve projected savings

Answer

Commissioning (Cx) is a quality-assurance process ensuring that energy systems are installed, tested, and operating per design specifications to deliver projected savings.

(CPACE) Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Practice Test

(CPACE) Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Practice Test

CPACE Efficiency Improvements 2