ICC Commercial Energy Plans Examiner - 78 Exam Prep Guide

The ICC Commercial Energy Plans Examiner - 78 examination is designed for plans examiners, energy-code officials, building department personnel, architects, engineers, designers, contractors, commissioning professionals, and other individuals who review commercial construction documents for energy-code compliance.

The examination focuses on the information shown in plans, specifications, schedules, calculations, compliance reports, and equipment documentation. Major subjects include the building thermal envelope, insulation, fenestration, air barriers, mechanical equipment, HVAC controls, service water heating, electrical power, interior and exterior lighting, lighting controls, additional efficiency requirements, and existing-building work.

The ICC Commercial Energy Plans Examiner - 78 exam prep collection includes a books and courses rental package, a highlighted and tabbed book package, online exam preparation, and an exam book package.

Available ICC 78 Exam Prep Packages

• ICC Commercial Energy Plans Examiner - 78 - Books & Courses Rental Package: $540.00 sale price, reduced from $840.00
• ICC Commercial Energy Plans Examiner - 78 Highlighted & Tabbed Book Package: $245.00 sale price, reduced from $445.00
• ICC Commercial Energy Plans Examiner - 78 - Online Exam Prep: $295.00 sale price, reduced from $395.00
• ICC Commercial Energy Plans Examiner - 78 Exam Book Package: $129.00 sale price, reduced from $229.00

The rental package combines temporary book access with online training. The highlighted and tabbed package supports faster code navigation. Online exam prep is suitable for candidates who already own the correct reference, while the exam book package supports independent study and permanent book ownership.

Books & Courses Rental Package

The ICC Commercial Energy Plans Examiner - 78 Books & Courses Rental Package combines access to the listed energy-code reference with structured online preparation.

The package is listed at a sale price of $540.00, reduced from the regular price of $840.00.

This option may be appropriate for candidates who:

• Need the code book and online course together
• Do not currently own the listed reference
• Want an organized commercial energy plan-review study plan
• Need help navigating energy-code tables and exceptions
• Want practice applying requirements to construction documents
• Prefer temporary access rather than permanent book ownership

Candidates should review the current product listing for rental duration, course-access terms, shipping information, deposit requirements, and book-return instructions.

Highlighted & Tabbed Book Package

The ICC Commercial Energy Plans Examiner - 78 Highlighted & Tabbed Book Package provides a professionally organized energy-code reference for candidates who want to begin studying without locating and marking every major section themselves.

The package is listed at a sale price of $245.00, reduced from the regular price of $445.00.

The prepared book may help candidates locate:

• Administration and plan-submittal requirements
• Definitions and climate-zone provisions
• Building-envelope tables
• Insulation and fenestration requirements
• Air-barrier and air-leakage provisions
• Mechanical equipment and control requirements
• Service water heating provisions
• Electrical power and lighting requirements
• Additional efficiency options
• Existing-building provisions

Highlights and tabs can improve navigation, but candidates must still understand definitions, exceptions, table notes, compliance paths, and how requirements apply to submitted plans.

Online Exam Prep

The ICC Commercial Energy Plans Examiner - 78 Online Exam Prep course provides flexible preparation for candidates who already own the correct International Energy Conservation Code or plan to obtain it separately.

The course is listed at a sale price of $295.00, reduced from the regular price of $395.00.

Online preparation may help candidates:

• Review commercial energy subjects in a logical order
• Practice navigating the IECC
• Apply code provisions to plan-review situations
• Evaluate envelope, mechanical, and lighting documents
• Practice using climate-zone and efficiency tables
• Identify weak knowledge areas
• Complete exam-style practice questions
• Build speed for timed open-book testing

The course is most effective when candidates work directly from the same code edition used for their scheduled examination.

Exam Book Package

The ICC Commercial Energy Plans Examiner - 78 Exam Book Package provides the printed reference associated with the current exam-prep collection.

The package is listed at a sale price of $129.00, reduced from the regular price of $229.00.

This option may be suitable for candidates who:

• Prefer independent book-based preparation
• Want permanent ownership of the reference
• Already have energy-code or plan-review experience
• Want to create a personalized tab and highlighting system
• Already have separate training or practice exams
• Need the energy code for continued professional use

What Is the ICC Commercial Energy Plans Examiner - 78 Exam?

The ICC 78 examination is a national certification exam that evaluates whether a candidate can review commercial construction documents and determine whether a proposed building design complies with the applicable energy code.

Current official exam information lists:

• 70 multiple-choice questions
• Three-hour-and-30-minute time limit
• National certification examination
• Scaled passing score of 75

A scaled score of 75 is not the same as answering exactly 75% of the questions correctly. ICC converts examination performance to a standardized scale.

Current product information describes the exam as open book. Candidates should verify the selected code cycle, reference policy, testing method, and technical details in the current ICC Exam Catalog before registering.

ICC 78 Exam Reference

The current 2021 study materials identify the following publication:

• International Energy Conservation Code, 2021 Edition

The 2021 IECC contains both residential and commercial provisions. ICC 78 candidates should focus on the commercial sections used to evaluate construction documents, envelope assemblies, mechanical systems, service water heating, electrical power, lighting, additional efficiency measures, and existing-building work.

ICC may offer the examination under multiple code cycles. Candidates should confirm that the book included with their package matches the exact exam version selected during registration.

Major ICC 78 Study Areas

ICC study materials emphasize the following areas:

• General plan-review issues
• Building thermal envelope
• Mechanical systems
• Electrical power and lighting systems
• Building service water heating systems and equipment

Candidates should also review climate zones, compliance paths, additional efficiency requirements, commissioning documents, existing buildings, and referenced standards.

What Does a Commercial Energy Plans Examiner Do?

A commercial energy plans examiner evaluates proposed building designs before permits are issued or construction is approved.

Common responsibilities may include:

• Reviewing energy-code compliance reports
• Confirming the applicable climate zone
• Checking roof, wall, floor, and slab assemblies
• Reviewing insulation values and assembly performance
• Evaluating windows, doors, curtain walls, and skylights
• Checking air-barrier details and envelope transitions
• Reviewing HVAC equipment schedules and controls
• Evaluating service water heating systems
• Checking lighting power and lighting controls
• Reviewing additional efficiency selections
• Preparing plan-review correction comments
• Verifying corrections during resubmittal review

The exact authority of a plans examiner depends on the jurisdiction, employer, adopted code, and applicable certification requirements.

Exam 77 Versus Exam 78

• Exam 77 Commercial Energy Inspector: Focuses on evaluating installed commercial building components and systems in the field.
• Exam 78 Commercial Energy Plans Examiner: Focuses on reviewing proposed commercial designs, calculations, schedules, specifications, and compliance documents.

An energy inspector confirms that construction matches the approved documents and energy code. A plans examiner determines whether the proposed design demonstrates compliance before or during the permitting process.

Commercial Energy Construction Documents

A complete energy-code submittal should provide enough information to evaluate the proposed building and its systems.

Documents may include:

• Energy-code compliance reports
• Architectural plans
• Wall and roof assembly details
• Window, door, and skylight schedules
• Mechanical plans and equipment schedules
• Mechanical control sequences
• Service water heating plans
• Interior and exterior lighting plans
• Lighting fixture schedules
• Lighting control diagrams
• Commissioning information
• Approved performance calculations

Missing assembly values, equipment efficiencies, control information, lighting wattage, or compliance documentation may prevent a complete review.

Climate Zones and Definitions

Commercial energy requirements frequently depend on climate zone and defined terminology.

Important terms may include:

• Building thermal envelope
• Conditioned space
• Semihheated space
• Continuous insulation
• Air barrier
• Fenestration
• Skylight
• U-factor
• R-value
• Solar heat gain coefficient
• Lighting power density
• Daylight zone

Candidates should use the code definition rather than relying only on general construction terminology. National ICC exams can include climate conditions from different regions of the United States.

Commercial Energy Compliance Paths

Commercial projects may demonstrate compliance through different methods permitted by the adopted code.

Candidates should understand:

• Mandatory energy provisions
• Prescriptive compliance
• Total building performance
• Approved energy-compliance software
• Required supporting calculations
• Construction-document requirements
• Additional efficiency selections
• How approved compliance paths affect plan review

The plans examiner should identify the approved compliance method before applying envelope, mechanical, or lighting requirements.

Building Thermal Envelope

The building thermal envelope separates conditioned spaces from the exterior and from unconditioned spaces.

Major envelope components include:

• Roofs and ceilings
• Above-grade walls
• Below-grade walls
• Floors
• Slab-on-grade floors
• Opaque doors
• Windows and glazed doors
• Curtain-wall systems
• Skylights
• Air barriers

Plans should clearly identify proposed assemblies, insulation values, fenestration performance, air-barrier locations, and transitions between envelope components.

Insulation and Assembly Performance

Insulation compliance may be demonstrated using R-values or complete assembly performance values such as U-factors, C-factors, and F-factors.

Study subjects may include:

• Roof insulation
• Wood-framed walls
• Metal-framed walls
• Mass walls
• Metal building assemblies
• Continuous insulation
• Floor insulation
• Slab-edge insulation
• Below-grade wall insulation
• Insulation installation and identification

Candidates should distinguish insulation installed between framing members from continuous insulation installed across structural components.

Fenestration and Skylights

Fenestration includes windows, glazed doors, storefronts, curtain walls, and skylights.

Plan-review subjects may include:

• Maximum fenestration area
• Maximum skylight area
• U-factor requirements
• Solar heat gain coefficient
• Projection factors
• Dynamic glazing
• Daylight zones
• Fenestration labels
• Air-leakage requirements
• Site-built fenestration

The proposed product ratings should match the values used in the approved compliance documents.

Air Barriers and Air Leakage

Air-barrier details should demonstrate continuity around the complete building thermal envelope.

Candidates should review:

• Air-barrier materials and assemblies
• Roof-to-wall transitions
• Wall-to-foundation transitions
• Fenestration interfaces
• Joints and seams
• Utility penetrations
• Doors and access openings
• Recessed equipment
• Envelope testing requirements
• Required documentation

Plan details should show how different air-barrier materials connect at corners, penetrations, openings, and changes in construction.

Mechanical Systems

Mechanical energy provisions address equipment efficiency, controls, economizers, ventilation-related energy use, ducts, piping, fans, pumps, and commissioning.

Study subjects may include:

• Heating and cooling equipment efficiency
• Equipment schedules
• Thermostatic controls
• Off-hour controls
• Zone controls
• Demand-controlled ventilation
• Economizers
• Energy recovery
• Duct insulation and sealing
• Mechanical pipe insulation
• Fan and pump controls
• System balancing and commissioning

Mechanical Equipment and Controls

Plans should identify equipment type, capacity, efficiency, fuel, controls, and operating sequences.

A plans examiner may review:

• Minimum equipment efficiency
• Rated heating and cooling capacity
• Part-load performance
• Thermostatic control zones
• Deadband requirements
• Automatic shutdown
• Optimum start controls
• Temperature reset controls
• Fan and pump controls
• Equipment interlocks

Equipment models and efficiencies shown in the schedules should match the energy-compliance documentation.

Economizers and Energy Recovery

Economizers and energy-recovery systems can reduce mechanical heating and cooling energy.

Candidates should review:

• When economizers are required
• Equipment-capacity thresholds
• Climate-zone requirements
• Air and water economizers
• High-limit shutoff controls
• Integrated economizer operation
• Energy-recovery thresholds
• System effectiveness
• Permitted exceptions
• Functional testing requirements

Duct and Pipe Insulation

Plans should identify required insulation for ducts and mechanical piping.

Plan-review considerations may include:

• Duct location
• Supply and return air systems
• Duct insulation values
• Duct sealing requirements
• Duct leakage testing
• Hydronic piping
• Refrigerant piping
• Steam piping
• Fluid operating temperatures
• Insulation thickness and conductivity

Service Water Heating

Service water heating provisions address equipment efficiency, piping, circulation systems, temperature maintenance, controls, pools, and spas.

Study subjects may include:

• Water heater efficiency
• Equipment sizing documentation
• Hot-water pipe insulation
• Circulation-system controls
• Demand recirculation
• Heat trace controls
• Temperature maintenance systems
• Heat recovery
• Pool and spa heating
• Time-switch controls

Plans should identify the proposed equipment, distribution arrangement, controls, and required pipe insulation.

Electrical Power and Lighting

Commercial energy plan review includes electrical power, interior lighting, exterior lighting, lighting power allowances, receptacle controls, and automatic controls.

Important subjects include:

• Interior lighting power density
• Whole-building compliance
• Space-by-space compliance
• Exterior lighting power
• Automatic shutoff controls
• Occupancy and vacancy sensors
• Time-switch controls
• Daylight-responsive controls
• Manual lighting controls
• Exterior lighting controls
• Controlled receptacles where applicable

Lighting Power Calculations

A practical lighting review may include:

• Identify the approved calculation method
• Determine the applicable building or space type
• Calculate the area
• Select the correct lighting power density
• Calculate the permitted lighting wattage
• Total the proposed installed wattage
• Identify exempt or additional lighting
• Confirm control requirements
• Compare the plans with the compliance report

Candidates should review all table notes, allowances, and conditions before selecting an answer.

Lighting Controls

Lighting plans should identify the controls serving each space and lighting load.

Plan-review considerations may include:

• Manual controls
• Occupancy sensors
• Vacancy sensors
• Automatic time-switch controls
• Partial automatic shutoff
• Daylight-responsive controls
• Control zoning
• Display and accent-lighting controls
• Exterior lighting controls
• Functional testing

Additional Efficiency Requirements

Qualifying commercial projects may be required to select one or more additional efficiency measures.

Options may involve:

• Higher-efficiency mechanical equipment
• Reduced lighting power
• Enhanced lighting controls
• Improved building-envelope performance
• Renewable energy systems
• Dedicated outdoor-air systems
• Energy recovery
• Enhanced service water heating
• Other approved energy-saving measures

The plans examiner should verify which option was selected and whether the drawings, schedules, and calculations demonstrate compliance.

Existing Buildings

Energy-code requirements can apply differently to additions, alterations, repairs, and changes in occupancy or conditioning.

Candidates should review:

• Building additions
• Alterations
• Repairs
• Changes in occupancy
• Changes in space conditioning
• Replacement fenestration
• Roof replacement
• Replacement mechanical equipment
• Lighting alterations
• Historic buildings
• Permitted exceptions

Before applying a requirement, determine whether the question involves new construction or work in an existing building.

Commissioning and Compliance Documentation

Commercial projects may require testing, balancing, commissioning, or functional performance verification.

Submitted documents may include:

• Commissioning plans
• Mechanical balancing reports
• Functional performance test procedures
• Lighting control test reports
• Air-barrier test reports
• Duct leakage test results
• Equipment efficiency documentation
• Operation and maintenance information
• Record drawings
• Final compliance certificates

Candidates should understand when documents must be shown on the plans, submitted before permit approval, or provided before final approval.

Practical Commercial Energy Plan-Review Process

• Confirm the project scope and applicable code cycle
• Identify the climate zone
• Determine the approved compliance path
• Review the energy-code compliance report
• Check envelope assemblies and insulation values
• Review fenestration and air-barrier details
• Check mechanical equipment and control schedules
• Review service water heating information
• Check lighting power and control plans
• Verify additional efficiency requirements
• Review testing and commissioning requirements
• Prepare correction comments with code references
• Verify corrections during resubmittal review

Common Commercial Energy Plan Deficiencies

• Missing climate-zone information
• Incomplete energy-compliance reports
• Envelope assemblies that do not match the report
• Missing continuous insulation
• Incomplete air-barrier details
• Incorrect fenestration performance values
• Mechanical equipment that does not meet required efficiency
• Missing economizer or energy-recovery information
• Incomplete duct or pipe insulation details
• Lighting wattage above the permitted allowance
• Missing occupancy or daylight controls
• Unidentified additional efficiency measures
• Incomplete testing or commissioning requirements
• Conflicts among plans, schedules, and calculations

Open-Book Exam Navigation

With 70 questions and a three-hour-and-30-minute limit, candidates have an average of approximately three minutes per question.

A practical lookup process includes:

• Read the complete question
• Identify the building system involved
• Determine whether the issue concerns plans, calculations, or documentation
• Use the index or table of contents
• Locate the complete section or table
• Confirm the applicable climate zone
• Review definitions, exceptions, and footnotes
• Apply the requirement to the submitted design
• Move on when one question is taking too much time

Organizing the ICC 78 Reference

A practical tab system may include:

• Administration
• Definitions
• Climate zones
• Construction documents
• Building envelope
• Opaque assemblies
• Fenestration
• Air barriers
• Mechanical systems
• Economizers
• Duct and pipe insulation
• Service water heating
• Electrical power
• Interior lighting
• Exterior lighting
• Lighting controls
• Additional efficiency
• Existing buildings

Candidates should verify current ICC rules before adding tabs, highlighting, handwritten notes, or inserted material.

Recommended ICC 78 Study Plan

• Confirm the correct exam code cycle and reference
• Learn the organization of the commercial IECC provisions
• Review administration, definitions, and climate zones
• Study commercial compliance paths
• Review roof, wall, floor, and slab assemblies
• Study fenestration and air barriers
• Review mechanical equipment and controls
• Study economizers, energy recovery, ducts, and piping
• Review service water heating
• Practice lighting power calculations
• Study interior and exterior lighting controls
• Review additional efficiency requirements
• Study existing-building provisions
• Practice complete plan-review scenarios
• Complete timed code-navigation exercises

Which ICC 78 Package Should You Choose?

• Choose the Books & Courses Rental Package for temporary book access combined with structured online training.
• Choose the Highlighted & Tabbed Book Package for a professionally organized commercial energy reference.
• Choose Online Exam Prep when you already own the correct IECC edition and want guided preparation.
• Choose the Exam Book Package for independent study and permanent ownership of the reference.

FAQ

Q. What is the ICC Commercial Energy Plans Examiner - 78 exam?

A. It is an ICC national certification examination that evaluates a candidate’s ability to review commercial construction documents for energy-code compliance.

Q. How much does the Books & Courses Rental Package cost?

A. The sale price is $540.00, reduced from the regular price of $840.00.

Q. How much does the Highlighted & Tabbed Book Package cost?

A. The sale price is $245.00, reduced from the regular price of $445.00.

Q. How much does the Online Exam Prep course cost?

A. The sale price is $295.00, reduced from the regular price of $395.00.

Q. How much does the Exam Book Package cost?

A. The sale price is $129.00, reduced from the regular price of $229.00.

Q. What reference is used for the 2021 exam?

A. ICC’s 2021 study materials identify the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code.

Q. How many questions are on exam 78?

A. Official ICC information currently lists 70 questions.

Q. How much time is allowed?

A. Official ICC information currently lists a three-hour-and-30-minute time limit.

Q. Is exam 78 open book?

A. Current product information describes the examination as open book. Candidates should verify the current reference and exam-day rules before testing.

Q. What score is required to pass?

A. ICC national certification examinations use a scaled passing score of 75. This is not the same as a raw score of 75%.

Q. What subjects should I study?

A. Study general plan review, the building envelope, mechanical systems, service water heating, electrical power, lighting, additional efficiency requirements, and existing buildings.

Q. What is the difference between exams 77 and 78?

A. Exam 77 focuses on field inspection, while exam 78 focuses on reviewing proposed commercial energy designs and construction documents.

Q. Should I study climate zones?

A. Yes. Envelope, fenestration, insulation, mechanical, and other requirements can change according to climate zone.

Q. Should I practice lighting calculations?

A. Yes. Candidates should practice whole-building and space-by-space lighting power methods, installed wattage, allowances, and required controls.

Q. Should I study HVAC controls?

A. Yes. Review thermostatic controls, automatic shutdown, zone controls, economizers, energy recovery, fan controls, pump controls, and commissioning.

Q. Does passing exam 78 automatically authorize me to work as a plans examiner?

A. No. A jurisdiction or employer may also require experience, appointment, additional certifications, state approval, or other qualifications.

Q. Where can I purchase the ICC 78 exam prep packages?

A. The available options can be found in the ICC Commercial Energy Plans Examiner - 78 exam prep collection.

Conclusion

The ICC Commercial Energy Plans Examiner - 78 examination requires candidates to combine energy-code knowledge with accurate review of drawings, schedules, calculations, specifications, and compliance documents.

Important preparation subjects include climate zones, insulation, fenestration, air barriers, mechanical equipment, controls, economizers, service water heating, electrical power, lighting, additional efficiency measures, existing buildings, and commissioning documentation.

1 Exam Prep offers rental books with course access, a highlighted and tabbed reference, online exam preparation, and an exam book package for different preparation needs and budgets.

Shop ICC Commercial Energy Plans Examiner - 78 Exam Prep

Key Takeaways

• Exam 78 is the ICC Commercial Energy Plans Examiner national certification examination.
• The Books & Courses Rental Package sale price is $540.00.
• The Highlighted & Tabbed Book Package sale price is $245.00.
• The Online Exam Prep sale price is $295.00.
• The Exam Book Package sale price is $129.00.
• Official ICC information lists 70 questions and a three-hour-and-30-minute limit.
• The current product information describes the exam as open book.
• The listed 2021 reference is the International Energy Conservation Code.
• ICC national certification exams use a scaled passing score of 75.
• Major topics include the envelope, mechanical systems, water heating, electrical power, and lighting.
• Exam 78 focuses on construction-document review rather than field inspection.
• Passing the exam does not automatically provide plan-review authority in every jurisdiction.
• Candidates should verify the current code cycle and local qualification requirements before registering.