CPACE Energy Efficiency 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which ASHRAE standard is most commonly referenced for energy audits in commercial buildings seeking PACE financing?
- ASHRAE 90.1 (Correct answer)
- ASHRAE 62.1
- ASHRAE 55
- ASHRAE 189.1
Correct answer: ASHRAE 90.1
ASHRAE 90.1 establishes minimum energy efficiency requirements for commercial buildings and is the primary benchmark for PACE energy audits.
Question 2: A commercial building owner replaces single-pane windows with double-pane low-e glass. What primary energy benefit does this provide?
- Reduced solar heat gain and conductive heat loss (Correct answer)
- Increased daylighting and reduced lighting loads
- Improved indoor air quality
- Reduced moisture infiltration only
Correct answer: Reduced solar heat gain and conductive heat loss
Low-e double-pane windows reduce both solar heat gain in summer and conductive heat transfer in winter, lowering HVAC loads.
Question 3: In a commercial PACE project, what does the term 'demand charge reduction' refer to?
- Lowering peak kilowatt draw to reduce utility billing surcharges (Correct answer)
- Reducing the total energy consumed over a billing period
- Negotiating a lower rate with the utility provider
- Eliminating reactive power penalties
Correct answer: Lowering peak kilowatt draw to reduce utility billing surcharges
Demand charges are billed based on peak kW usage during a billing period, and efficiency measures that flatten peak demand directly lower this cost.
Question 4: Which metric best measures the overall energy performance of a commercial building for PACE underwriting purposes?
- Energy Use Intensity (EUI) (Correct answer)
- Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE)
- Coefficient of Performance (COP)
- Energy Factor (EF)
Correct answer: Energy Use Intensity (EUI)
EUI expresses energy use per square foot per year and is the standard benchmark for comparing commercial building energy performance.
Question 5: A hotel installs occupancy-based HVAC controls in guest rooms. What PACE-eligible outcome does this primarily achieve?
- Reduced conditioning of unoccupied spaces, lowering energy waste (Correct answer)
- Improved indoor air quality through continuous ventilation
- Compliance with fire code requirements
- Reduced refrigerant usage
Correct answer: Reduced conditioning of unoccupied spaces, lowering energy waste
Occupancy sensors cut HVAC operation when rooms are empty, directly reducing energy consumption and qualifying the measure as a verifiable efficiency improvement.
Question 6: What is the purpose of a Measurement and Verification (M&V) plan in a PACE energy efficiency project?
- To document and confirm actual energy savings after installation (Correct answer)
- To estimate project costs before construction begins
- To certify contractor qualifications
- To calculate property tax assessment changes
Correct answer: To document and confirm actual energy savings after installation
M&V plans establish the methodology for measuring real energy savings post-installation, ensuring that projected savings are actually achieved.
Question 7: Which envelope improvement would provide the greatest energy savings for a large commercial warehouse with minimal insulation in a heating-dominated climate?
- Adding continuous roof insulation to meet or exceed code requirements (Correct answer)
- Installing reflective roof coating only
- Replacing dock doors with insulated versions only
- Adding window film to existing glazing
Correct answer: Adding continuous roof insulation to meet or exceed code requirements
Roofs represent the largest surface area in warehouses, and adding proper insulation addresses the dominant heat loss pathway in cold climates.
CPACE Energy Efficiency 2
Which ASHRAE standard is most commonly referenced for energy audits in commercial buildings seeking PACE financing?