EMP Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield EMP facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. An energy manager discovers that a boiler room lacks a clearly marked emergency shutoff. This is primarily a violation of which safety principle? → Emergency action planning
2. In energy data analysis, what is 'data normalization' primarily used for? → Adjusting energy data to account for varying operating conditions
3. An energy manager calculates the 'simple payback period' for an efficiency upgrade. Which formula is correct? → Project Cost ÷ Annual Energy Cost Savings
4. Which tool is commonly used during an energy audit? → Infrared camera
5. Which OSHA standard requires facilities with highly hazardous chemicals above threshold quantities to develop a written Process Safety Management (PSM) program? → 29 CFR 1910.119
6. Which data collection method is most appropriate for quickly assessing plug load energy consumption across an office floor? → Portable plug-in energy monitors (kill-a-watt meters)
7. What does HVAC stand for in building systems? → Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
8. What is the primary function of an economizer in an HVAC system? → Using cool outdoor air for free cooling when conditions allow
9. What is the Coefficient of Performance (COP) for a chiller or heat pump? → The ratio of cooling or heating output to electrical energy input
10. What is 'curtailment' in the context of renewable energy systems? → Intentional reduction of a renewable generator's output below its available capacity
11. Which of the following best describes a Measurement & Verification (M&V) report under IPMVP Option C? → Whole-facility utility meter analysis comparing pre- and post-retrofit consumption
12. Which performance ratio (PR) value would indicate a well-performing utility-scale PV system in a sunny US climate? → 0.75–0.85
13. A hospital energy manager is designing backup power tiers. Which load classification requires the shortest restoration time per NFPA 99? → Life safety branch
14. Which heat transfer mechanism is responsible for the majority of heat loss through a well-insulated opaque wall assembly? → Conduction through the solid materials
15. Which documentation element is MOST critical when establishing a baseline for an ISO 50001 energy management system? → Significant energy uses (SEUs) and their performance indicators
16. Which wind turbine configuration is most commonly used in utility-scale onshore wind farms? → Horizontal-axis upwind three-blade turbine
17. Which of the following best describes the purpose of an energy audit requirement in a state energy code? → To identify opportunities for reducing energy use and improving efficiency
18. What does the ENERGY STAR label indicate? → The product meets energy efficiency standards
19. An energy manager wants to identify thermal losses in a building envelope. Which assessment tool provides the most direct visualization of heat loss patterns? → Infrared thermography
20. Under the ISO 50001 framework, what is the primary output of an Energy Review? → Identification of significant energy uses and improvement opportunities
21. Which metering configuration allows a facility to separately track energy consumption for individual production lines or departments? → Sub-metering
22. During a grid outage, a facility's backup generator fails to start. What is the FIRST corrective action an energy manager should take? → Check fuel level and battery charge on the generator
23. Which standard defines the four options (A, B, C, D) for measurement and verification of energy savings? → IPMVP (International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol)
24. What does the term 'islanding' refer to in the context of distributed energy resources during emergencies? → Isolating a facility from the grid while continuing to generate power locally
25. Under OSHA's Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) standard, which step must be performed FIRST before applying lockout devices to energy-isolating equipment? → Identify all energy sources
26. Why is trend analysis valuable in monitoring? → It reveals patterns that predict future issues before they become critical
27. How should monitoring alerts be configured? → With meaningful thresholds that indicate actionable conditions
28. Which standard provides the recommended harmonic current and voltage distortion limits for electrical power systems in the United States? → IEEE 519 - Recommended Practices for Harmonic Control in Electrical Power Systems
29. What is the correct formula for calculating energy savings using the IPMVP Option A (Key Parameter Measurement) approach? → Savings = (Adjusted Baseline Energy) – (Reporting Period Energy)
30. Which of the following practices contributes to energy conservation? → Turning off lights when not in use