Sustainability & Energy Efficiency Flashcards
7 cards from real ASHE practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Sustainability & Energy Efficiency flashcards as text
A healthcare facility is performing a retro-commissioning (RCx) study. What distinguishes RCx from standard commissioning?
Answer: RCx optimizes existing building systems that were not originally commissioned or have drifted from optimal performance
Retro-commissioning investigates and corrects operational deficiencies in existing buildings, often achieving 5–15% energy savings with minimal capital investment.
Which green building rating system was developed specifically to address the unique requirements of healthcare facilities?
Answer: LEED BD+C: Healthcare
LEED BD+C: Healthcare was designed with modified credits and prerequisites recognizing 24/7 operations, infection control, and medical equipment loads unique to hospitals.
What is the role of a 'building automation system' (BAS) in healthcare energy management?
Answer: Centralizes monitoring and control of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems to optimize energy use
A BAS integrates control of HVAC, lighting, and other systems, enabling setpoint optimization, fault detection, and demand response strategies across the facility.
Under the EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program, which Scope applies to a hospital's purchased electricity consumption?
Answer: Scope 2 (indirect emissions from purchased energy)
Scope 2 emissions are indirect GHG emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heat, or cooling consumed by the organization.
In a healthcare facility, heat wheels (energy recovery wheels) in AHUs are periodically cleaned. Why is purge sector design important in healthcare applications?
Answer: To prevent cross-contamination of exhaust air back into supply air
A purge sector on a heat wheel flushes the wheel segment with supply air before it re-enters the supply stream, preventing carryover of pathogens or contaminants from exhaust.
A hospital wants to reduce domestic hot water energy consumption. Which strategy typically provides the greatest savings?
Answer: Installing heat pump water heaters to replace electric resistance heaters
Heat pump water heaters use refrigeration cycle to move heat from surrounding air rather than generating it directly, achieving 2–3× the efficiency of electric resistance heating.
Which type of on-site renewable energy system is most commonly feasible for large urban hospital campuses with limited land?
Answer: Rooftop solar PV panels
Rooftop solar PV systems utilize existing building surfaces without requiring additional land, making them the most practical renewable energy option for dense urban hospital campuses.