BOMA BOMA Energy Management & Sustainability 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the ENERGY STAR score used to measure in commercial buildings?
- The building's structural integrity rating
- A 1-100 score benchmarking a building's energy performance against similar buildings nationally (Correct answer)
- The number of energy-efficient appliances installed in the building
- Annual carbon dioxide emissions in metric tons
Correct answer: A 1-100 score benchmarking a building's energy performance against similar buildings nationally
ENERGY STAR scores rate building energy performance on a 1-100 scale, with 50 representing median performance and 75+ qualifying for ENERGY STAR certification, comparing buildings of similar type and climate.
Question 2: What does LEED certification assess in commercial buildings?
- Legal compliance with local building codes and fire safety standards
- Sustainable design and construction practices across energy, water, materials, and indoor environment quality (Correct answer)
- Building security systems and access control effectiveness
- Lease administration compliance with BOMA measurement standards
Correct answer: Sustainable design and construction practices across energy, water, materials, and indoor environment quality
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a green building rating system that evaluates sustainability across multiple categories including energy efficiency, water use, materials, and occupant health.
Question 3: In building energy management, what is an 'energy audit' designed to accomplish?
- Verify compliance with utility billing accuracy
- Systematically identify energy waste, inefficiencies, and cost-saving opportunities in building systems (Correct answer)
- Calculate a building's carbon offset requirements
- Assess occupant behavior related to energy consumption
Correct answer: Systematically identify energy waste, inefficiencies, and cost-saving opportunities in building systems
An energy audit systematically examines all building systems and operations to identify where energy is being wasted and prioritize improvements based on potential savings and payback periods.
Question 4: What is a 'building automation system' (BAS) primarily used for in commercial buildings?
- Automating tenant lease renewal notifications
- Centralized monitoring and control of HVAC, lighting, and other building systems to optimize performance and energy use (Correct answer)
- Automating accounts payable processes for building expenses
- Managing automated parking access and billing systems
Correct answer: Centralized monitoring and control of HVAC, lighting, and other building systems to optimize performance and energy use
A BAS (also called a building management system or BMS) provides centralized control of HVAC, lighting, fire safety, and other systems, enabling automated energy optimization and remote monitoring.
Question 5: What does 'energy use intensity' (EUI) measure in commercial buildings?
- The peak electrical demand during the hottest summer day
- Annual energy consumption per square foot of floor area, expressed in kBtu/sq ft/year (Correct answer)
- The ratio of renewable to non-renewable energy sources used
- Monthly utility cost per occupied tenant
Correct answer: Annual energy consumption per square foot of floor area, expressed in kBtu/sq ft/year
EUI normalizes energy consumption by building size, allowing meaningful comparison of energy performance across buildings of different sizes by measuring kBtu (or kWh) consumed per square foot annually.
Question 6: Which BOMA initiative specifically helps building owners reduce energy consumption through benchmarking and best practices sharing?
- BOMA 360 Performance Program (Correct answer)
- BOMA TOBY Awards
- BOMA Foundation Grants
- BOMA International Conference
Correct answer: BOMA 360 Performance Program
The BOMA 360 Performance Program is a building designation that recognizes commercial properties operating at the highest standards across six major areas including energy management and sustainability.
BOMA BOMA Energy Management & Sustainability 1
What is the ENERGY STAR score used to measure in commercial buildings?