Assessment & Monitoring Methods Flashcards
7 cards from real EMP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Assessment & Monitoring Methods flashcards as text
Which type of energy audit provides the most detailed analysis, including engineering calculations, equipment specifications, and life-cycle cost analysis for identified ECMs?
Answer: Detailed analysis of capital-intensive modifications (Level 3)
An ASHRAE Level 3 audit provides detailed engineering analysis of capital-intensive projects, including accurate cost and savings estimates sufficient for investment-grade decision-making.
A facility manager reviews interval data and finds the building's peak demand occurs for only 15 minutes per month. What monitoring strategy would best help reduce demand charges?
Answer: Analyze 15-minute interval data to identify and reschedule loads that create the peak
Analyzing 15-minute interval data reveals which loads coincide during peak periods, enabling load scheduling or staggering strategies to reduce the brief demand spike driving high demand charges.
What is 'measurement uncertainty' in the context of energy M&V, and why does it matter?
Answer: The potential range of error in measured values that affects confidence in reported energy savings
Measurement uncertainty quantifies the accuracy limits of monitoring instruments and methods, directly affecting confidence in reported savings and the credibility of M&V results for financing purposes.
An energy auditor uses a combustion analyzer on a natural gas boiler and measures an O2 reading of 12%. What does this indicate?
Answer: The boiler has excess air, indicating potential efficiency loss
High O2 in flue gas (optimal is typically 2-4%) indicates excess combustion air, which carries away heat unnecessarily and reduces thermal efficiency of the boiler.
Which energy monitoring approach is described as 'Option D' under the IPMVP framework?
Answer: Calibrated simulation using energy modeling software validated against measured data
IPMVP Option D uses calibrated computer simulation models, validated against measured utility data, to estimate both baseline and post-retrofit energy consumption.
When monitoring chiller plant efficiency, which metric best expresses overall system performance including the chiller, pumps, and cooling tower?
Answer: Kilowatts per ton of the entire plant (kW/ton)
Whole-plant kW/ton accounts for all energy inputs (chiller, pumps, cooling tower fans) relative to cooling output, providing a true measure of the entire chilled water system efficiency.
A retrocommissioning study reveals that AHU supply air temperature setpoints are not being reset based on outdoor air temperature. What monitoring data would confirm the energy savings potential of implementing this reset strategy?
Answer: Continuous logging of supply air temperatures, outdoor air temperatures, and cooling/heating energy
Continuous logging across varying outdoor temperatures reveals how often reset opportunities exist and quantifies the heating and cooling energy currently wasted by static setpoints.