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

Which of the following options can be used to conduct an energy assessment as part of EA Prerequisite: Best Management Practices?

1. Direct energy billing data analysis

2. Advanced Building Energy Modeling

3. CBECS values comparison

4. Total building energy consumption review

The correct answer is: CBECS values comparison

The option that is correct for conducting an energy assessment as part of the EA Prerequisite: Best Management Practices is the comparison with CBECS values (Commercial Building Energy Consumption Survey). CBECS provides a comprehensive dataset that benchmarks energy consumption in commercial buildings across a variety of building types and characteristics. By comparing a building's energy usage against CBECS values, facility managers can evaluate how energy performance measures up to similar buildings in the industry. This practice helps identify potential areas for improvement and supports the development of targeted energy management strategies. Other methods listed, such as direct energy billing data analysis, advanced building energy modeling, and total building energy consumption review, may all be valuable in the energy assessment process. However, they do not serve the same benchmarking function within the context of the LEED requirements for evaluating performance relative to similar buildings in the commercial sector. CBECS specifically provides standardized metrics, making it the preferred option for demonstrating progress against best practices in energy management.