CRD Residential Energy Efficiency & Load Calculations 4

Question 1

A geothermal designer notes that a home has a high window-to-wall ratio on the south facade. How should this affect load calculation?

Accepted Answer

Increase both heating and cooling loads due to greater conductive and solar gain area

Answer

Large south-facing window area increases winter conductive heat loss and summer solar heat gain, raising both heating and cooling loads.

Question 2

The 'balance point' of a building is best defined as:

Accepted Answer

The outdoor temperature at which internal gains equal heat losses, requiring no heating or cooling

Answer

The building balance point is the outdoor temperature at which internal heat gains exactly offset envelope losses, requiring no mechanical heating.

Question 3

Which of the following insulation locations has the greatest impact on reducing heating loads in a cold climate home?

Accepted Answer

Ceiling/attic insulation

Answer

Ceiling/attic insulation addresses the largest area of heat loss in most homes and benefits from stack effect and the large temperature differential at the top of the thermal envelope.

Question 4

In hot-humid climates, latent loads typically represent what approximate percentage of total cooling load?

Accepted Answer

30–50%

Answer

In hot-humid climates like the southeastern US, latent (moisture) loads commonly represent 30–50% of total cooling load, making dehumidification a critical design factor.

Question 5

Which factor is NOT typically included in the internal heat gain component of a residential cooling load?

Accepted Answer

Ground loop pump heat rejection

Answer

Ground loop pump heat is a system efficiency parameter, not an internal building heat gain source used in Manual J cooling load calculations.

(CRD) Certified Residential Geothermal Designer Practice Test

(CRD) Certified Residential Geothermal Designer Practice Test

CRD Residential Energy Efficiency & Load Calculations 4