CPACE Efficiency Improvements 5

Question 1

A CPACE program requires projects to meet an 'energy savings threshold' for approval. What is the typical minimum ratio of projected savings to assessment payments?

Accepted Answer

Savings must equal or exceed 100% of annual assessment payments (savings-positive requirement)

Answer

Most CPACE programs require that projected annual energy savings meet or exceed annual assessment payments, ensuring the project is cash-flow positive from day one.

Question 2

Which insulation material installed via CPACE financing offers the highest R-value per inch for tight commercial spaces?

Accepted Answer

Closed-cell spray polyurethane foam (SPF)

Answer

Closed-cell spray polyurethane foam delivers approximately R-6 to R-7 per inch, the highest available R-value per inch of any commonly used insulation material.

Question 3

A CPACE-financed energy project at a grocery store focuses on refrigeration efficiency. Which measure offers the largest single energy-saving opportunity in refrigerated display cases?

Accepted Answer

Installing LED lighting inside cases combined with anti-sweat heater controls

Answer

LED lighting reduces heat load inside cases (lowering compressor work) while anti-sweat heater controls prevent over-heating of door frames, together delivering significant refrigeration energy savings.

Question 4

During CPACE project underwriting, an engineer calculates 'avoided cost' to project savings. 'Avoided cost' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The cost of energy that will no longer need to be purchased after efficiency improvements

Answer

Avoided cost represents the future energy expenditures eliminated by the efficiency project, calculated using projected energy rates over the CPACE assessment term.

Question 5

A CPACE program allows 'bundled projects' that combine multiple efficiency measures. The primary advantage of bundling is:

Accepted Answer

It allows lower-SIR measures to be financed alongside higher-SIR measures when the combined project meets program thresholds

Answer

Bundling permits measures with individually borderline economics (e.g., envelope improvements) to qualify when combined with higher-return measures like HVAC or lighting that bring the overall project SIR above the required threshold.

(CPACE) Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Practice Test

(CPACE) Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy Practice Test

CPACE Efficiency Improvements 5