Energy Efficiency and Conservation Flashcards
6 cards from real Energy and Utilities practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Energy Efficiency and Conservation flashcards as text
What does ENERGY STAR certification on an appliance indicate?
Answer: The appliance meets EPA energy efficiency standards, using significantly less energy than standard models
ENERGY STAR is a joint EPA/DOE program that certifies products meeting specific energy efficiency criteria, typically 10–50% more efficient than minimum standards.
What is 'phantom load' or 'vampire power'?
Answer: Electricity consumed by devices while in standby or turned off
Phantom load is the electricity continuously drawn by electronics and appliances when plugged in but not actively in use.
What does 'R-value' measure in building insulation?
Answer: Thermal resistance — how well insulation resists heat flow
R-value is a measure of thermal resistance; higher R-values indicate better insulating performance and less heat transfer through the material.
What is a 'demand charge' on a commercial electric utility bill?
Answer: A charge based on the customer's peak power demand during the billing period
Demand charges are billed based on a customer's highest measured power draw (kW) during the billing period, covering the utility's cost to keep capacity available.
What is a 'heat pump' and why is it considered energy efficient?
Answer: A device that moves heat rather than generating it, providing 2–4 units of heating/cooling per unit of electricity
Heat pumps move thermal energy from one place to another using refrigerant cycles, achieving efficiencies (COP) of 2–4, far exceeding the 1.0 limit of resistive heating.
What is the purpose of an energy audit for a commercial building?
Answer: Systematically identifying opportunities to reduce energy consumption and costs
An energy audit analyzes a building's energy use patterns and systems to identify cost-effective efficiency improvements and reduce operating costs.