Free Certified Energy Auditor Certification Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A lighting system's lumen depreciation factor is 0.85, and its dirt depreciation factor is 0.8. What is the total light loss percentage?
- 0.68 (Correct answer)
- 1.65
- 0.80
- 0.85
Correct answer: 0.68
The total light loss factor is calculated by multiplying the lumen depreciation factor by the dirt depreciation factor. In this case, 0.85 (lumen depreciation) multiplied by 0.8 (dirt depreciation) equals 0.68. This combined factor represents the proportion of initial light output that is maintained over time due to lamp aging and dirt accumulation.
Question 2: Which terminal unit is unable to supply ventilation at minimum fresh air flow rates?
- Induction system
- Fan Coil Unit (Correct answer)
- Unit ventilator
- VAV box
Correct answer: Fan Coil Unit
Fan Coil Units (FCUs) typically recirculate room air and are primarily designed for heating or cooling, not for introducing fresh outdoor ventilation air. While they can be part of a system that provides ventilation, the FCU itself does not inherently supply minimum fresh air flow rates. Other units like unit ventilators, VAV boxes, or induction systems are designed with provisions for outdoor air intake.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes an ideal start HVAC control strategy?
- Outside air is used to pretreat the building in the morning before it is occupied after night set-back
- Outside air is shut off during the start-up of a building
- HVAC equipment is started in stages to minimize peak demand charges
- Operation of HVAC equipment is delayed to the shortest time possible to condition the building before it is occupied based on outdoor and indoor air temperatures (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Operation of HVAC equipment is delayed to the shortest time possible to condition the building before it is occupied based on outdoor and indoor air temperatures
An ideal start HVAC control strategy optimizes the start-up time of HVAC equipment to ensure the building reaches comfortable conditions precisely when occupied, without wasting energy by starting too early. This is achieved by continuously calculating the latest possible start time based on current indoor and outdoor temperatures, as well as the building's thermal characteristics. This minimizes pre-occupancy energy consumption.
Question 4: A utility's electricity rate structure that differs according to the time of day is known as:
- Demand charge
- Time of use rate (Correct answer)
- Tiered rate
- Demand ratchet
Correct answer: Time of use rate
A 'Time of Use rate' (TOU) is an electricity pricing structure where the cost of electricity varies depending on the time of day, day of the week, and season. Electricity is typically more expensive during peak demand periods (e.g., weekday afternoons) and cheaper during off-peak hours (e.g., nights and weekends). This encourages consumers to shift their energy consumption to less expensive times.
Question 5: Which of the following could involve using an infrared camera?
- Determining areas of heat loss from a building
- Identifying mechanical faults such as excessive bearing friction
- Finding faulty electrical connections or overloaded circuits
- All of the above (Correct answer)
Correct answer: All of the above
An infrared camera, or thermal imager, detects infrared radiation emitted by objects, allowing it to visualize temperature differences. This makes it a versatile tool for energy audits, capable of identifying areas of heat loss from a building envelope, detecting excessive friction in mechanical components (indicating potential faults), and locating faulty electrical connections or overloaded circuits by observing their elevated temperatures. Therefore, all listed applications are valid.
Question 6: What would an anemometer be used for during an energy audit?
- Measure the air velocity from a vent (Correct answer)
- Measure the wet bulb temperature
- Measure the air pressure in a supply air duct
- Measure the humidity in the outside air supply
Correct answer: Measure the air velocity from a vent
An anemometer is an instrument specifically designed to measure wind speed or air velocity. During an energy audit, it is commonly used to measure the airflow from vents, ducts, or exhaust fans to assess ventilation rates, balance HVAC systems, or identify drafts and leaks in the building envelope. This helps in understanding air movement and potential energy losses.
Question 7: Which of the following techniques for economic analysis ignores the time value of money?
- Life Cycle Cost
- Simple Payback Period (Correct answer)
- Benefit Cost Ratio
- Present Worth Analysis
Correct answer: Simple Payback Period
The Simple Payback Period calculates the time it takes for the savings from an investment to recover its initial cost, without considering the value of money over time (inflation or interest). In contrast, methods like Life Cycle Cost, Benefit-Cost Ratio, and Present Worth Analysis all incorporate the time value of money through discounting future cash flows.
