Energy Management & Sustainability Flashcards
7 cards from real AFE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Energy Management & Sustainability flashcards as text
What is the primary function of a Building Automation System (BAS) in energy management?
Answer: To centrally monitor and control building systems to optimize energy use and comfort
A BAS integrates control of HVAC, lighting, and other building systems, enabling centralized monitoring and automated optimization to reduce energy waste and maintain comfort.
In M&V (Measurement & Verification) per IPMVP, what is the purpose of 'Option C: Whole Facility'?
Answer: Determining savings by analyzing utility meter data before and after ECM installation
IPMVP Option C uses whole-facility utility meter data with statistical regression analysis to determine aggregate savings from all ECMs implemented at a site.
A cooling tower's 'cycles of concentration' (COC) has dropped from 6 to 3. What is the most likely operational consequence?
Answer: Increased makeup water consumption and higher water treatment chemical costs
Lower COC means more frequent blowdown is occurring, requiring more makeup water to replace it, increasing both water consumption and chemical treatment costs.
Which of the following is a direct benefit of installing variable frequency drives (VFDs) on centrifugal pump motors?
Answer: Reducing motor energy consumption significantly at partial flow conditions using the affinity laws
The affinity laws state that pump power varies with the cube of speed, so a small reduction in speed yields large energy savings—a 20% speed reduction produces approximately 49% power reduction.
What does LEED 'Platinum' certification indicate about a building?
Answer: The building has achieved the highest tier of LEED green building credits (80+ points)
LEED Platinum is the highest certification level, awarded when a project earns 80 or more points across all credit categories under the USGBC's LEED rating system.
A facility implements an occupancy-based HVAC setback strategy. Which scenario would yield the greatest energy savings?
Answer: A single-shift manufacturing plant with no weekend operations
A single-shift manufacturing plant with no weekend operations has the longest unoccupied periods, providing maximum opportunity for HVAC setback and consequently the greatest energy savings.
When conducting a Type II energy audit (per ASHRAE Procedures for Commercial Building Energy Audits), what deliverable is expected beyond what a Type I provides?
Answer: Detailed engineering analysis of ECMs with energy, demand, and cost savings calculations
A Type II audit includes detailed engineering calculations for each identified ECM with estimated energy savings, demand savings, implementation costs, and simple payback periods.