Energy Audit Process 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 Energy Audit Process flashcards as text
An energy auditor reviews a facility's demand charges and finds they represent 40% of the total electric bill. What strategy should be prioritized?
Answer: Implement peak demand management through load shifting and demand response
When demand charges are a large portion of utility costs, strategies that flatten peak demand — such as load shifting, storage, and demand response — provide the greatest bill savings.
What is the primary function of an energy model calibration during a detailed (Level III) energy audit?
Answer: To tune the simulation model so it matches actual measured utility data within accepted tolerances
Calibration adjusts model inputs until simulated energy use matches actual utility data (ASHRAE Guideline 14 requires ±15% NMBE and ±30% CV(RMSE)), ensuring reliable ECM savings predictions.
Which parameter does a duct pressurization test (duct blaster) specifically measure?
Answer: Airflow leakage from the duct system at a standardized pressure
A duct blaster pressurizes the duct system to 25 Pa and measures the airflow required to maintain that pressure, quantifying total duct leakage in CFM25.
An auditor identifies that a compressed air system has a system pressure of 120 psi, but end uses only require 90 psi. What ECM should be recommended?
Answer: Reduce system operating pressure to match actual end-use requirements
Compressor power increases with discharge pressure; reducing system pressure by 10 psi typically saves approximately 5% in compressor energy, so matching pressure to actual needs yields significant savings.
During an audit, an auditor finds that the building automation system (BAS) setback schedule is not functioning and the building is conditioned to occupied setpoints 24/7. Which action provides the most direct immediate energy savings recommendation?
Answer: Repair or reprogram the BAS to implement nighttime and weekend temperature setbacks
Restoring HVAC setback schedules during unoccupied periods is a no/low-cost operational measure that can reduce heating and cooling energy by 10–25% with immediate effect.
What is the significance of a building's 'plug load' in the energy audit process?
Answer: It represents the energy consumed by all equipment plugged into electrical outlets, which can be a major uncontrolled end-use
Plug loads from computers, monitors, appliances, and miscellaneous equipment often account for 20–50% of commercial building energy use and are a key audit target for behavioral and equipment ECMs.
An energy auditor is evaluating a chilled water system and finds the delta-T across the evaporator is only 4°F instead of the design 10°F. What does this low delta-T syndrome indicate?
Answer: Excessive chilled water flow rate reducing the temperature differential and increasing pump energy
Low delta-T syndrome means chillers must run longer, more chillers stage on unnecessarily, and chilled water pumps operate at higher-than-needed flow rates, all increasing system energy consumption.