Certified Energy Auditor Practice Exam

Which of the following is a technique to critique simulation program output?

1. Visual representation of data

2. Annual energy-use profile comparison

3. Random sampling

4. Peer review

The correct answer is: Annual energy-use profile comparison

The technique of comparing annual energy-use profiles is particularly effective for critiquing simulation program output because it allows for an analysis of the consistency and accuracy of the predicted energy usage against expected or historical data. By examining the annual energy-use profiles, auditors can assess whether the simulations align with real-world performance, identifying any discrepancies that may indicate issues with the modeling assumptions or input data. This approach not only highlights whether the energy consumption patterns predicted by the simulation are realistic, but it also provides insights into seasonal variations and peak demand periods. Such comparisons can help verify the integrity of the simulation and its capability to provide useful forecasts for building energy performance, thereby increasing trust in the simulation results as a decision-making tool. Other techniques like visual representation of data, random sampling, and peer review serve different purposes and can be valuable in their own contexts but do not specifically focus on validating simulation output through direct comparison with energy-use profiles.