Certified Energy Auditor Certification Audit Strategy and Planning 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a pre-audit questionnaire sent to a facility before an energy audit?
- To satisfy regulatory requirements
- To gather baseline data and identify focus areas before the site visit (Correct answer)
- To determine the audit fee
- To schedule equipment shutdowns
Correct answer: To gather baseline data and identify focus areas before the site visit
A pre-audit questionnaire collects utility bills, operational schedules, and equipment lists so the auditor can prioritize investigation areas before arriving on site.
Question 2: Which document formally defines the scope, objectives, and deliverables agreed upon between the client and auditor?
- Energy baseline report
- Statement of work (SOW) (Correct answer)
- Measurement and verification plan
- Facility energy intensity index
Correct answer: Statement of work (SOW)
The statement of work (SOW) is the contractual document that establishes scope, timeline, and expected deliverables for the audit engagement.
Question 3: An auditor is planning a Level II energy audit. Which activity distinguishes it from a Level I audit?
- Reviewing utility bills
- Walking through the facility
- Performing detailed energy use calculations and financial analysis for ECMs (Correct answer)
- Interviewing facility managers
Correct answer: Performing detailed energy use calculations and financial analysis for ECMs
A Level II audit goes beyond the walkthrough by conducting detailed engineering calculations and cost-benefit analyses for each identified energy conservation measure.
Question 4: When developing an audit work plan, what is the correct sequence for identifying energy conservation measures (ECMs)?
- Implement, measure, identify, report
- Identify, analyze, prioritize, report (Correct answer)
- Report, analyze, implement, verify
- Measure, implement, identify, prioritize
Correct answer: Identify, analyze, prioritize, report
The standard ECM workflow is to identify opportunities, analyze their savings potential, prioritize by cost-effectiveness, and then document findings in the audit report.
Question 5: Which metric is most useful for benchmarking a facility's energy performance against similar buildings during audit planning?
- Total annual energy cost
- Energy use intensity (EUI) in kBtu/sq ft/yr (Correct answer)
- Peak demand charge
- Power factor ratio
Correct answer: Energy use intensity (EUI) in kBtu/sq ft/yr
Energy use intensity (EUI) normalizes energy consumption by floor area, enabling meaningful comparison across similar building types and climates.
Question 6: A facility manager requests a quick assessment with no cost analysis. Which ASHRAE audit level is most appropriate?
- Level 0 (benchmarking only)
- Level I (walk-through assessment) (Correct answer)
- Level II (energy survey)
- Level III (detailed analysis)
Correct answer: Level I (walk-through assessment)
An ASHRAE Level I walk-through assessment provides a brief site visit and list of low-cost/no-cost measures without detailed financial analysis.
Question 7: What is the main reason an auditor should review a facility's maintenance logs during audit planning?
- To calculate depreciation of equipment
- To identify recurring equipment failures that may signal energy waste (Correct answer)
- To verify the facility's ISO certification
- To determine employee headcount
Correct answer: To identify recurring equipment failures that may signal energy waste
Maintenance logs reveal patterns of equipment malfunction, deferred repairs, and inefficiencies that directly contribute to excess energy consumption.
Certified Energy Auditor Certification Audit Strategy and Planning 2
What is the primary purpose of a pre-audit questionnaire sent to a facility before an energy audit?