CHFM - Certified Healthcare Facility Manager Energy Management and Sustainability Questions and Answers Flashcards

In a hospital combined heat and power (CHP) system, what is the primary advantage over grid-supplied electricity?

Answer: CHP captures waste heat from power generation, increasing overall efficiency

CHP systems achieve overall efficiencies of 70–90% by using heat that would otherwise be wasted, compared to ~33% for grid power alone.

Which metric is used to measure the overall carbon footprint of a healthcare facility's energy use?

Answer: Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in metric tons CO₂ equivalent

GHG emissions in metric tons CO₂ equivalent is the standard metric for quantifying a facility's contribution to climate change from energy use.

A hospital's energy use intensity (EUI) is 250 kBtu/sq ft/year. To benchmark this, a facility manager would BEST use:

Answer: EPA ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager national median data

EPA ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager provides national median EUI data for healthcare facilities, enabling meaningful benchmarking.

What is the purpose of a 'demand response' program that a hospital may participate in?

Answer: To voluntarily reduce electricity use during grid stress events in exchange for financial incentives

Demand response programs allow hospitals to earn credits or payments by temporarily reducing electricity load when the utility grid is strained.

Which area of a hospital typically accounts for the LARGEST portion of total energy consumption?

Answer: HVAC systems (heating, cooling, and ventilation)

HVAC systems account for approximately 40–60% of total hospital energy use due to stringent ventilation, temperature, and humidity requirements.

Submetering in a healthcare facility is used primarily to:

Answer: Track energy consumption by department or system for accountability and optimization

Submetering breaks down energy use by area or system, enabling targeted conservation efforts and holding departments accountable for consumption.