LEED AP with Operations and Maintenance (O+M ) Practice Exam

What is required to significantly enhance a project's financial performance through energy audits?

1. ASHRAE level 1 energy audit

2. Full energy modeling

3. Monthly energy review meetings

4. Electronics recycling assessments

The correct answer is: ASHRAE level 1 energy audit

To significantly enhance a project's financial performance through energy audits, conducting an ASHRAE Level 1 energy audit is key. This type of audit provides a preliminary evaluation of the energy use within a facility and identifies opportunities for improvement, efficiency upgrades, and potential cost savings. The ASHRAE Level 1 audit generally includes a review of utility bills, a walk-through survey of the building, and a comparison of the facility’s energy performance against industry benchmarks. By identifying no-cost or low-cost measures that can lead to immediate energy savings, this audit lays the groundwork for more comprehensive and targeted improvements. The other options do not directly relate to foundational energy audits. Full energy modeling, while more detailed and useful for specific scenarios, is typically reserved for new projects or significant renovations rather than enhancing existing performance through straightforward assessments. Monthly energy review meetings may help in tracking performance over time but do not substitute for the thorough and strategic insights gained from an ASHRAE Level 1 audit. Similarly, electronics recycling assessments focus on waste management outcomes, which do not directly correlate to enhancing energy efficiency or financial performance derived from energy audits.