Maryland Building Energy Performance
Auditor Certification Exam Practice
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. A commercial building owner in Maryland is preparing for compliance
with state Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS). Which of
the following best describes the primary purpose of a building energy
performance audit in this regulatory context?
A. To replace all mechanical systems in a building regardless of
efficiency
B. To determine tax liability for commercial properties based on
energy use
C. To identify energy consumption patterns, inefficiencies, and cost-
effective improvement measures for compliance and decarbonization
planning
D. To certify architectural design approval for new construction
projects
C
A building energy performance audit systematically evaluates how a
building uses energy and identifies inefficiencies and improvement
opportunities, supporting compliance with performance standards
and emissions reduction goals.
,2. A Maryland energy auditor conducting an ASHRAE Level I audit is most
likely to perform which of the following tasks?
A. Detailed engineering analysis of HVAC system replacement options
B. A preliminary walk-through with utility bill analysis and
identification of low-cost improvements
C. Full investment-grade energy modeling with capital cost forecasting
D. Infrared thermographic scanning of all building envelope
components
B
A Level I audit is a walk-through assessment that relies on utility
data review and visual inspection to identify low-cost or no-cost
energy-saving measures.
3. Which ASHRAE audit level provides the most detailed analysis of
building systems and is typically used for major retrofit investment
decisions?
A. Level I
B. Level II
C. Level III
D. Level 0
C
Level III audits are investment-grade analyses that include detailed
engineering, sub-metering, and financial modeling for major capital
improvements.
4. In Maryland’s BEPS framework, what is the key metric used to
measure a building’s energy performance intensity?
A. Kilowatts per occupant
B. Site Energy Use Intensity (EUI)
C. Carbon tax rate
D. HVAC tonnage capacity
B
Site EUI measures energy use per square foot and is a primary metric
for evaluating building efficiency under performance standards.
5. Which tool is most commonly used in Maryland for annual energy
benchmarking reporting?
A. AutoCAD
, B. ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager
C. Building Information Modeling (BIM) Revit
D. Microsoft Excel only
B
ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager is the standard platform used for
benchmarking and reporting building energy data.
6. A building owner is preparing a BEPS compliance strategy. Which
action is most appropriate in the “assessment” phase of an energy
performance improvement plan?
A. Installing solar panels immediately
B. Conducting an energy audit to evaluate systems and identify retrofit
opportunities
C. Purchasing carbon offsets without analysis
D. Demolishing inefficient sections of the building
B
The assessment phase focuses on understanding current energy
performance through audits before implementing improvements.
7. Which of the following best describes a key difference between
energy audits and energy assessments?
A. Assessments are more detailed than audits
B. Audits are informal walkthroughs only
C. Assessments are typically quicker and less comprehensive than
audits
D. Audits do not involve energy data analysis
C
Assessments are generally high-level evaluations, while audits are
more detailed and data-driven.
8. In Maryland BEPS compliance, what is the primary consequence of
failing to meet emissions performance targets after 2030?
A. Immediate building closure
B. Mandatory demolition
C. Requirement to pay alternative compliance fees or implement
corrective measures
D. Loss of property ownership
C
Auditor Certification Exam Practice
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationale 2026
Q&A| Instant Download Pdf
1. A commercial building owner in Maryland is preparing for compliance
with state Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS). Which of
the following best describes the primary purpose of a building energy
performance audit in this regulatory context?
A. To replace all mechanical systems in a building regardless of
efficiency
B. To determine tax liability for commercial properties based on
energy use
C. To identify energy consumption patterns, inefficiencies, and cost-
effective improvement measures for compliance and decarbonization
planning
D. To certify architectural design approval for new construction
projects
C
A building energy performance audit systematically evaluates how a
building uses energy and identifies inefficiencies and improvement
opportunities, supporting compliance with performance standards
and emissions reduction goals.
,2. A Maryland energy auditor conducting an ASHRAE Level I audit is most
likely to perform which of the following tasks?
A. Detailed engineering analysis of HVAC system replacement options
B. A preliminary walk-through with utility bill analysis and
identification of low-cost improvements
C. Full investment-grade energy modeling with capital cost forecasting
D. Infrared thermographic scanning of all building envelope
components
B
A Level I audit is a walk-through assessment that relies on utility
data review and visual inspection to identify low-cost or no-cost
energy-saving measures.
3. Which ASHRAE audit level provides the most detailed analysis of
building systems and is typically used for major retrofit investment
decisions?
A. Level I
B. Level II
C. Level III
D. Level 0
C
Level III audits are investment-grade analyses that include detailed
engineering, sub-metering, and financial modeling for major capital
improvements.
4. In Maryland’s BEPS framework, what is the key metric used to
measure a building’s energy performance intensity?
A. Kilowatts per occupant
B. Site Energy Use Intensity (EUI)
C. Carbon tax rate
D. HVAC tonnage capacity
B
Site EUI measures energy use per square foot and is a primary metric
for evaluating building efficiency under performance standards.
5. Which tool is most commonly used in Maryland for annual energy
benchmarking reporting?
A. AutoCAD
, B. ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager
C. Building Information Modeling (BIM) Revit
D. Microsoft Excel only
B
ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager is the standard platform used for
benchmarking and reporting building energy data.
6. A building owner is preparing a BEPS compliance strategy. Which
action is most appropriate in the “assessment” phase of an energy
performance improvement plan?
A. Installing solar panels immediately
B. Conducting an energy audit to evaluate systems and identify retrofit
opportunities
C. Purchasing carbon offsets without analysis
D. Demolishing inefficient sections of the building
B
The assessment phase focuses on understanding current energy
performance through audits before implementing improvements.
7. Which of the following best describes a key difference between
energy audits and energy assessments?
A. Assessments are more detailed than audits
B. Audits are informal walkthroughs only
C. Assessments are typically quicker and less comprehensive than
audits
D. Audits do not involve energy data analysis
C
Assessments are generally high-level evaluations, while audits are
more detailed and data-driven.
8. In Maryland BEPS compliance, what is the primary consequence of
failing to meet emissions performance targets after 2030?
A. Immediate building closure
B. Mandatory demolition
C. Requirement to pay alternative compliance fees or implement
corrective measures
D. Loss of property ownership
C
