CEA Benchmarking & Energy Star Certification 2

Question 1

Which metric does ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager use to normalize energy consumption for weather in commercial buildings?

Accepted Answer

Heating Degree Days (HDD) and Cooling Degree Days (CDD)

Answer

Annual solar radiation index

Answer

Wet-bulb temperature averages

Answer

Dew point deviation factor

Question 2

An office building scores 74 on the ENERGY STAR 1–100 scale. What does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

It performs better than 74% of similar buildings nationally

Answer

It uses 74% less energy than average

Answer

It fails ENERGY STAR certification by 1 point

Answer

It has a 74% renewable energy mix

Question 3

What is the primary purpose of 'source energy' normalization in Portfolio Manager benchmarking?

Accepted Answer

To account for transmission and generation losses and compare fuels on equal footing

Answer

To convert all energy to dollar costs for financial comparison

Answer

To measure only on-site renewable energy generation

Answer

To exclude purchased electricity from the total energy footprint

Question 4

Which building type requires 'weekly operating hours' as a use detail input in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager?

Accepted Answer

Office buildings

Answer

K–12 schools

Answer

Hospitals

Answer

Data centers

Question 5

A certified ENERGY STAR building must re-certify annually. What must be verified each year?

Accepted Answer

A licensed Professional Engineer or Registered Architect must verify the data

Answer

The building must install new high-efficiency equipment

Answer

Utility bills must show a 5% reduction from the prior year

Answer

The EPA must conduct an on-site energy audit

Question 6

In Portfolio Manager, what does the term 'gross floor area' exclude when calculating energy use intensity (EUI)?

Accepted Answer

Parking garages that are not conditioned

Answer

Conference rooms used less than 40 hours per week

Answer

Stairwells and elevator shafts

Answer

Mechanical penthouses

Question 7

Which federal executive order mandated that federal agencies benchmark their buildings in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager?

Accepted Answer

Executive Order 13693 (Planning for Federal Sustainability in the Next Decade)

Answer

Executive Order 12088 (Federal Compliance with Pollution Control Standards)

Answer

Executive Order 13514 (Federal Leadership in Environmental, Energy, and Economic Performance)

Answer

Executive Order 11988 (Floodplain Management)