Free USGBC LEED-Green-Associate Practice Exam with Questions & Answers | Set: 9

 In the commercial LEED rating systems, achieving 40-49 points will result in Silver level certification. The points are awarded based on how well the project meets various sustainability criteria set out in the LEED rating system. References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources

A high-efficiency HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system can directly reduce a building’s greenhouse gas emissions by using less energy than a standard system. Since most energy production involves the burning of fossil fuels, which releases greenhouse gases, using less energy results in fewer emissions. References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources

Water Efficiency is the only credit category that does not have a prerequisite in LEED v4 for Building Design and Construction. Prerequisites are the minimum requirements that all projects must meet to be eligible for LEED certification. They are mandatory and non-weighted, meaning they do not contribute to the project’s score. The other credit categories have at least one prerequisite each, as shown in the table below:

Regenerative design is a type of design that goes beyond sustainability and aims to restore or enhance the natural systems that support life. Regenerative design projects not only minimize their environmental impact, but also contribute positively to the environment and society. An example of regenerative design is a building that generates electricity from renewable sources, such as solar panels or wind turbines, and sends the excess electricity to the grid, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting the transition to a clean energy economy.

Access to quality transit is one of the criteria for the LEED v4 Location and Transportation category, which aims to reduce the environmental and human health impacts of transportation and promote sustainable site selection. By developing an urban site that is well-served by public transportation, the building owner can reduce the reliance on private vehicles, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and encourage alternative modes of travel123.

LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide1, page 25

LEED v4 Credit Tutorials: Location & Transportation (BD+C/ID+C)2

LEED v4 Q+A: Location and Transportation3

As of 1996, the Montreal Protocol banned the production of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), a chemical compound known to have ozone-depleting potential. CFCs are synthetic substances that were widely used as refrigerants, propellants, solvents, and foam-blowing agents. CFCs have high ozone depletion potential (ODP), which means they can destroy the ozone layer that protects the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty that aims to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances. The Montreal Protocol banned the production of CFCs in 1996 fordeveloped countries and in 2010 for developing countries1 . References: LEED v4 Green Associate Candidate Handbook1, UNEP’s Montreal Protocol

Green Seal is a third-party certification program that evaluates the environmental impacts of cleaning products and services. It has standards for various categories of products, such as cleaners, paper products, hand soaps, and floor care. Green Seal certified products meet rigorous performance, health, and environmental criteria. By using Green Seal certified products, projects can reduce the exposure of building occupants and maintenance personnel to potentially harmful chemicals, improve indoor air quality, and support sustainable purchasing practices. References: LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Operations and Maintenance, p. 109 1; Green Seal website

A charrette is an intensive, multi-disciplinary workshop with the aim of developing a design or vision for a project or planning activity. Charrettes are often conducted to design such things as parks and buildings, or to plan communities or transportation systems. A charrette should take place at the beginning of the project, when the design team can engage with all the stakeholders, including the client, users, consultants, contractors, regulators, and community members. A charrette at this stage can help to:

Establish clear goals and objectives for the project

Identify opportunities and constraints for the site and program

Generate creative and innovative ideas and solutions

Foster collaboration and consensus among diverse perspectives

Reduce conflicts and delays during later phases of the project

Enhance communication and trust among the project team

The other options are not appropriate phases for a charrette. Post commissioning is too late to influence the design or planning of the project. During the design process, some decisions may have already been made or some stakeholders may have been excluded. During the construction process, changes may be costly or impractical to implement. References: : Charrette

ASHRAE 55 defines thermal comfort by outlining acceptable indoor conditions for temperature, humidity, and air movement. This standard is essential for meeting LEED Indoor Environmental Quality requirements​​.

Construction Waste Management is tracked by weight:

“LEED tracks the total amount of waste diverted from landfills in terms of weight or volume.”

This provides a quantitative measure of how much waste was properly managed.