CERTIFIED ENERGY MANAGER (CEM®)
QUESTION AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. The primary goal of an energy management program is to:
A. Reduce maintenance costs
B. Improve occupant comfort
C. Optimize energy use and cost
D. Increase equipment redundancy
Answer: C
Rationale: Energy management focuses on optimizing energy
consumption and cost while maintaining performance and comfort.
2. Which unit is commonly used to measure electrical energy consumption?
A. kW
B. kWh
C. Volt
D. Ampere
Answer: B
Rationale: kWh measures energy use over time, while kW measures
power.
3. Power factor is defined as the ratio of:
A. Real power to apparent power
B. Apparent power to reactive power
C. Reactive power to real power
D. Voltage to current
Answer: A
, Rationale: Power factor equals real power (kW) divided by apparent
power (kVA).
4. A low power factor results in:
A. Lower utility bills
B. Reduced current flow
C. Higher demand charges
D. Improved system efficiency
Answer: C
Rationale: Utilities penalize low power factor due to increased current and
system losses.
5. Which fuel has the highest carbon content per unit of energy?
A. Natural gas
B. Coal
C. Diesel
D. Propane
Answer: B
Rationale: Coal emits the most CO₂ per unit of energy due to high carbon
content.
6. The first step in conducting an energy audit is to:
A. Install submeters
B. Analyze utility bills
C. Implement ECMs
D. Perform blower door tests
Answer: B
Rationale: Utility bill analysis establishes baseline energy use and trends.
7. ASHRAE Level II energy audits include:
A. Preliminary walkthrough only
B. Detailed energy analysis with ECM costs
C. Investment-grade analysis
D. Commissioning plans
Answer: B
, Rationale: Level II audits provide detailed analysis and cost–benefit
estimates.
8. Which lighting technology is most energy efficient?
A. Incandescent
B. Halogen
C. Fluorescent
D. LED
Answer: D
Rationale: LEDs provide highest efficacy and longest lifespan.
9. Lighting efficacy is measured in:
A. Lumens
B. Watts
C. Lumens per watt
D. Lux
Answer: C
Rationale: Efficacy compares light output to energy input.
10.Demand charges are based on:
A. Total energy used
B. Average monthly usage
C. Peak power consumption
D. Power factor only
Answer: C
Rationale: Demand charges reflect the highest kW demand during a
billing period.
11.Variable frequency drives (VFDs) are most effective on:
A. Constant-load equipment
B. Variable-load motors
C. Resistive heaters
D. Lighting circuits
Answer: B
Rationale: VFDs save energy by matching motor speed to load.
QUESTION AND CORRECT ANSWERS
(VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS RATIONALES
2026 Q&A INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. The primary goal of an energy management program is to:
A. Reduce maintenance costs
B. Improve occupant comfort
C. Optimize energy use and cost
D. Increase equipment redundancy
Answer: C
Rationale: Energy management focuses on optimizing energy
consumption and cost while maintaining performance and comfort.
2. Which unit is commonly used to measure electrical energy consumption?
A. kW
B. kWh
C. Volt
D. Ampere
Answer: B
Rationale: kWh measures energy use over time, while kW measures
power.
3. Power factor is defined as the ratio of:
A. Real power to apparent power
B. Apparent power to reactive power
C. Reactive power to real power
D. Voltage to current
Answer: A
, Rationale: Power factor equals real power (kW) divided by apparent
power (kVA).
4. A low power factor results in:
A. Lower utility bills
B. Reduced current flow
C. Higher demand charges
D. Improved system efficiency
Answer: C
Rationale: Utilities penalize low power factor due to increased current and
system losses.
5. Which fuel has the highest carbon content per unit of energy?
A. Natural gas
B. Coal
C. Diesel
D. Propane
Answer: B
Rationale: Coal emits the most CO₂ per unit of energy due to high carbon
content.
6. The first step in conducting an energy audit is to:
A. Install submeters
B. Analyze utility bills
C. Implement ECMs
D. Perform blower door tests
Answer: B
Rationale: Utility bill analysis establishes baseline energy use and trends.
7. ASHRAE Level II energy audits include:
A. Preliminary walkthrough only
B. Detailed energy analysis with ECM costs
C. Investment-grade analysis
D. Commissioning plans
Answer: B
, Rationale: Level II audits provide detailed analysis and cost–benefit
estimates.
8. Which lighting technology is most energy efficient?
A. Incandescent
B. Halogen
C. Fluorescent
D. LED
Answer: D
Rationale: LEDs provide highest efficacy and longest lifespan.
9. Lighting efficacy is measured in:
A. Lumens
B. Watts
C. Lumens per watt
D. Lux
Answer: C
Rationale: Efficacy compares light output to energy input.
10.Demand charges are based on:
A. Total energy used
B. Average monthly usage
C. Peak power consumption
D. Power factor only
Answer: C
Rationale: Demand charges reflect the highest kW demand during a
billing period.
11.Variable frequency drives (VFDs) are most effective on:
A. Constant-load equipment
B. Variable-load motors
C. Resistive heaters
D. Lighting circuits
Answer: B
Rationale: VFDs save energy by matching motor speed to load.
