ASHE Sustainability & Energy Efficiency 3

Question 1

Which type of lighting control strategy offers the greatest energy savings in low-occupancy healthcare corridors?

Accepted Answer

Occupancy sensors with bi-level switching

Answer

Occupancy sensors with bi-level switching reduce light levels to a minimum when no occupants are detected while maintaining required egress illumination levels.

Question 2

A healthcare facility's cooling tower uses drift eliminators. What environmental benefit do drift eliminators primarily provide?

Accepted Answer

Prevent water droplets containing Legionella from being discharged to the atmosphere

Answer

Drift eliminators trap entrained water droplets before they exit the cooling tower, reducing both water loss and the risk of Legionella aerosolization.

Question 3

In healthcare, 'plug load management' refers to controlling energy used by:

Accepted Answer

Electrical equipment plugged into standard receptacles

Answer

Plug loads from computers, monitors, medical devices, and appliances can account for 25–40% of a hospital's electricity use and are managed through smart strips and power management policies.

Question 4

Which water-side economizer strategy can save significant chiller energy in cooler climates?

Accepted Answer

Waterside economizer (free cooling) using the cooling tower in winter

Answer

Waterside economizers use the cooling tower to directly cool chilled water when outdoor temperatures allow, bypassing or unloading the chiller entirely.

Question 5

A hospital's steam system has significant condensate return losses. What is the most direct sustainability impact of poor condensate return?

Accepted Answer

Wasted energy, treated water, and chemicals since condensate must be replaced with cold makeup water

Answer

Condensate returned to the boiler is hot, treated, and demineralized water; losing it wastes the energy it contains and requires chemically treating cold replacement water.

(ASHE) American Society for Health Care Engineering Certified Practice Test

(ASHE) American Society for Health Care Engineering Certified Practice Test

ASHE Sustainability & Energy Efficiency 3