Data Collection and Analysis Flashcards
7 cards from real Certified Energy Auditor Certification practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Data Collection and Analysis flashcards as text
What is the purpose of a 'baseline period' in measurement and verification (M&V) under IPMVP Option B?
Answer: Establish pre-retrofit energy use for comparison against post-retrofit measured savings
The baseline period captures pre-retrofit energy performance so that actual post-retrofit savings can be calculated by comparison.
When reviewing compressed air system data, an auditor finds the compressor runs at 100% load continuously even during low-demand periods. What does this most likely indicate?
Answer: Significant air leaks in the distribution system consuming excess compressed air
A compressor running fully loaded even during low-demand periods typically indicates leakage is consuming capacity that should be unloaded.
An auditor uses a data logger to capture chiller runtime over 30 days. The logger records 720 hours of operation in a month with 720 total hours. What does this reveal?
Answer: The chiller ran continuously with no off-cycles, suggesting oversizing or controls issues
Continuous runtime with no cycling suggests the chiller cannot satisfy load demand, or controls are preventing it from shutting down during low-load periods.
Which ASHRAE standard defines the procedures and minimum requirements for commercial building energy audits at Levels 1, 2, and 3?
Answer: ASHRAE Standard 211
ASHRAE Standard 211 establishes the scope, deliverables, and data collection requirements for each level of commercial energy audit.
A natural gas utility bill shows consumption in therms. If an auditor needs to convert therms to MMBtu for an energy analysis, what conversion factor applies?
Answer: 1 therm = 0.1 MMBtu
One therm equals 100,000 Btu, which is 0.1 MMBtu, so dividing therm values by 10 yields MMBtu.
When analyzing lighting energy data collected via occupancy sensors and data loggers, what metric helps quantify the savings opportunity from reducing burn hours?
Answer: Annual operating hours multiplied by installed wattage versus occupied-only operating hours
Comparing actual burn hours against occupancy-only hours reveals how many hours lights run unnecessarily, which directly quantifies kWh savings potential.
An auditor performs an end-use disaggregation and finds that plug loads account for 35% of total electricity use. Which data collection method most accurately measures individual plug load consumption?
Answer: Portable plug-in power meters installed on individual circuits or devices
Plug-in power meters capture actual real-time power draw including part-load and standby conditions, which nameplate data significantly overestimates.