What is the purpose of baseline energy data in M&V?

• A. To set indoor air quality targets.
• B. To measure equipment life cycle costs.
• C. To schedule maintenance tasks.
• D. To compare actual performance against baseline and demonstrate energy improvements.

Answer: (D)

Baseline energy data provides the reference point for energy use before a project. In M&V, you compare post-implementation energy use to this baseline to quantify savings and demonstrate energy improvements. This requires the baseline to reflect typical operating conditions (often weather-normalized and adjusted for occupancy or production) so that the measured changes truly represent the impact of the intervention. Without this reference, you can’t determine how much energy was saved or confirm that improvements are due to the project rather than other factors. The other options don’t fit because baseline energy data isn’t about indoor air quality targets, life cycle costs, or maintenance scheduling; its purpose is to quantify and verify energy performance improvements.