AFE Energy Management & Sustainability 5

Question 1

A facility's boiler stack temperature has increased by 50°F over the past year with no change in load. What is the most probable cause?

Accepted Answer

Fouled heat transfer surfaces (soot or scale) reducing heat absorption

Answer

Fouled boiler tubes act as insulators, preventing heat transfer to the water/steam and allowing more heat to escape up the stack, raising flue gas temperature and reducing efficiency.

Question 2

In a retro-commissioning (RCx) project, what distinguishes it from a standard energy audit?

Accepted Answer

RCx identifies and corrects operational deficiencies in existing systems without major capital investment

Answer

Retro-commissioning systematically investigates and corrects how existing building systems are operating—such as control sequences, scheduling, and setpoints—typically with low-cost operational improvements.

Question 3

Which federal program provides a voluntary energy performance certification specifically for industrial manufacturing plants in the US?

Accepted Answer

ENERGY STAR for Industry / Superior Energy Performance (SEP)

Answer

The Superior Energy Performance (SEP) program, aligned with ISO 50001, offers third-party certified recognition for industrial facilities that demonstrate measured energy performance improvements.

Question 4

What is the primary purpose of 'submetering' in a large commercial facility?

Accepted Answer

To measure energy consumption at the system or tenant level for accountability and targeting of savings

Answer

Submetering breaks total facility consumption into component parts (by floor, tenant, or system), enabling identification of energy waste, tenant billing, and targeting of conservation measures.

Question 5

A rooftop photovoltaic (PV) array generates AC power that exceeds the facility's instantaneous load. What happens under a net metering agreement?

Accepted Answer

Excess generation is exported to the grid and credited against future utility bills

Answer

Under net metering, excess PV generation flows back to the grid and the facility receives a credit (typically at retail rate) that offsets future electricity charges.

(AFE) Association for Facilities Engineering Certification Practice Test

(AFE) Association for Facilities Engineering Certification Practice Test

AFE Energy Management & Sustainability 5