LEED Energy and Atmosphere Flashcards
One way to reduce a building’s energy load is to do which of the following? A. Reduce a building’s thermal mass B. Site the building far away from adjacent buildings C. Configure the building to minimize solar gain in summer and maximize it in winter D. Increase the size of the building
C. Configure the building to minimize solar gain in summer and maximize it in winter
Which of the following would require use of the EPA’s ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager? A. Calculating a building’s minimum energy use B. Bulk uploading project information into LEED online C. Comparing the ongoing operating performance of a building with its intended design performance D. Registering a large volume of LEED projects
C. Comparing the ongoing operating performance of a building with its intended design performance
What statement is true regarding HydroFluoroCarbons (HFCs)?
A. Many HFCs have a significant global warming potential B. The HFC refrigerant group includes NH3, CO2, and propane C. HFCs have high ozone depletion potential D. HFCs are scheduled to be banned under the Montreal Protocol
A. Many HFCs have a significant global warming potential
HFCs typically have a low ozone depletion potential but a high global warming potential.
What does a REC represent?
A. The environmental, social, and other positive attributes of power generated by renewable resources B. The quantity of fossil fuels avoided by purchasing renewable energy, expressed in tons C. The amount of energy purchased from a Green-e supplier D. The amount of energy an electricity provider purchases from renewable sources
A. The environmental, social, and other positive attributes of power generated by renewable resources
A REC represents the environmental, social, and other positive attributes of power generated by renewable resources. These attributes may be sold separately from the underlying commodity electricity.
After a building is completed and occupied, how can energy demand be reduced?
A. By opening and closing shades to control solar energy B. By encouraging occupants to stagger work hours C. By conducting routine waste audits D. By purchasing environmentally preferable cleaning supplies
A. By opening and closing shades to control solar energy
The use of free energy can contribute to reducing energy demand during normal operations and maintenance of a building:
What are the environmental benefits of cogeneration? (Choose 2)
A. Reduced greenhouse gas emissions B. Reduced wastewater generation C. Reduced air pollution D. Reduced erosion and sedimentation E. Recharging of aquifers
A. Reduced greenhouse gas emissions C. Reduced air pollution
A building automation system will assist with collecting data about which of the following:
A. Energy spikes that occur every morning B. Cleanliness of restrooms C. Maintenance schedule for replacing air filters D. Complaints from occupants about a loud fan noise in a conference room
A. Energy spikes that occur every morning
What project areas would you find CFCs used in? (Choose 2)
A. Radiant flooring B. Refrigeration C. Centrifugal chillers D. Hot water heating
B. Refrigeration C. Centrifugal chillers
What statement is true regarding ChloroFluoroCarbons (CFCs) and HydroChloroFluoroCarbons (HCFCs)?
A. CFCs are being phased-out under the Montreal Protocol while HCFCs are banned under the Montreal Protocol B. The ozone depletion potential (ODP) of HCFCs and CFCs is about the same C. LEED encourages replacing CFC or halon-based fire suppression systems with HCFCs D. CFCs have a greater global warming potential (GWP) than HCFCs
D. CFCs have a greater global warming potential (GWP) than HCFCs
What environmental issue is associated with the burning of fossil fuels?
A. Interference with migratory birds B. Reduction of water from aquifers C. Release of carbon dioxide D. Sedimentation of water supplies
C. Release of carbon dioxide
What is the most common way to meet the requirements of off-site renewable energy?
A. Obtaining energy from a geothermal system B. Installing a rooftop photovoltaic array C. Purchasing Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) D. Directly purchasing green power from local utility companies
C. Purchasing Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)
What does a carbon offset represent?
A. The energy consumption divided by the number of square feet in a building B. A unit of carbon dioxide equivalent that is reduced, avoided, or sequestered to compensate for emissions occurring elsewhere. C. A tradable commodity representing proof that a unit of electricity was generated from a renewable resource D. The primary measure of energy consumption associated with buildings
B. A unit of carbon dioxide equivalent that is reduced, avoided, or sequestered to compensate for emissions occurring elsewhere.
An owner wants to offset the environmental impact of a building’s energy use. What is a benefit of purchasing off-site renewable energy or renewable energy certificates (RECs) over installing onsite renewable energy systems such as photovoltaic panels?
A. RECs only have to be purchased one-time to offset the building’s lifetime energy use B. RECs can be shared across multiple LEED projects C. The upfront costs to the building owner would be lower D. Off-site renewable energy and RECs are less expensive than grid-source non-renewable energy
C. The upfront costs to the building owner would be lower
What types of energy sources generate the least air and water pollution? (Choose 2)
A. Biofuel B. Wind C. Natural gas D. Clean coal E. Oil
A. Biofuel B. Wind
Approximately 50% of chillers in existing buildings use what refrigerant?
A. CFC-11 B. HFC-23 C. NH3 D. HCFC-22
A. CFC-11
Reduced emissions are a benefit of purchasing:
A. Materials with high SRI B. Certified wood C. Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) D. Recycled water
C. Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)
RECs are a tradable commodity representing the ‘greenness’ of green power. They are purchased when a project does not have access to green power through their utility provider. However, this isn’t a way to bypass purchasing power; when RECs are purchased the project still needs to pay the normal electricity bills.
What are examples of spaces that are typically unoccupied? (Choose 3)
A. Gymnasium B. Private office C. Data center floor area D. Inactive storage area in a warehouse E. Mechanical room F. Airplane hanger
C. Data center floor area D. Inactive storage area in a warehouse E. Mechanical room
Regularly occupied spaces would include which of the following:
A. Break room B. Dorm room C. Restroom D. Corridor
B. Dorm room
For LEED only, the dorm room is considered a regularly occupied space.
A school building consumes electricity from the grid at night while contributing energy back to the grid during the day from on-site solar panels, resulting in the school having no electricity costs. This is an example of:
A. Net-zero energy B. Water balance C. Carbon neutrality D. Zero waste
A. Net-zero energy
Net-zero energy projects use no more energy from the electrical grid than can be produced from on-site renewable energy systems.
The owner of a historic renovation project wants to achieve carbon neutrality. Which of the following design decision will help the project team achieve this?
A. Participating in a demand response program B. Purchasing carbon offsets C. Using no more water than what falls on the site as precipitation D. Purchasing Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)
B. Purchasing carbon offsets
One way to achieve carbon neutrality is to purchase carbon offsets
Using passive strategies such as daylighting is an example of which of the following:
A. Increasing energy efficiency B. Reducing energy demand C. Energy performance management D. Renewable energy practice
B. Reducing energy demand
Passive strategies are an example of reducing energy demand.
Which of the following is a benefit of commissioning?
A. Fewer system deficiencies B. Reduced construction schedules C. Reduced operational training D. Decreased project costs
A. Fewer system deficiencies
Which refrigerants are considered environmentally benign? (Choose 2)
A. Halons B. Hydrocarbons C. Propane D. HydroFluoroCarbons
B. Hydrocarbons
Hydrocarbons are a classification of natural refrigerants which are benign to the environment.
Propane, butane, ethane, isobutene, and isopentane are types of hydrocarbons.
C. Propane
Propane is a type of hydrocarbon. Hydrocarbons are a classification of natural refrigerants which are benign to the environment.
Which of the following causes depletion of the ozone layer?
A. CO2 B. Ammonia C. Propane D. CFCs
D. CFCs
Which of the following building components contribute to the plug load?
A. Recessed lighting B. Elevators C. Computers D. HVAC system
C. Computers
What is the median payback period for the commissioning of existing buildings?
A. 1.5 years B. 0.7 years C. 2.8 years D. 1 year
B. 0.7 years
A project team is reviewing strategies to increase energy efficiency. Which of the following will help reduce plug-load demands?
A. Installing appliances that meet or exceed ENERGY STAR requirements B. Efficient street lighting C. Computer modeling D. High-performance glazing
A. Installing appliances that meet or exceed ENERGY STAR requirements
On a project with an older existing HVAC&R system that uses CFCs, what can the project team do to earn LEED certification?
A. Make a phase out plan for the removal of the CFC based refrigerants B. Eliminate all refrigerant leaks C. Get a state exemption for the HVAC&R system D. Recharge the equipment with CFCs
A. Make a phase out plan for the removal of the CFC based refrigerants
A building owner of a new extended-stay hotel is concerned about the higher initial costs for ENERGY STAR appliances. Which of the following could help with the decision-making process?
A. A life cycle assessment of the trade-offs between the capital and operating costs B. Reviewing the building’s energy use for ways to improve efficiency C. Using computer modeling to prioritize the owner’s project requirements D. Showing the GHG emissions that would be reduced
A. A life cycle assessment of the trade-offs between the capital and operating costs
Which projects would NOT be eligible for LEED certification? (Choose 2)
A. A new building project that uses hydrocarbons (HCs) as refrigerants B. An existing building project that phases out the use of CFC-based refrigerants no later than 5 years after the project is completed C. A new building project that uses no refrigerants D. An existing building project that uses CFC-based refrigerants without having a CFC phase-out plan E. A new building project that uses CFC-based refrigerants
D. An existing building project that uses CFC-based refrigerants without having a CFC phase-out plan E. A new building project that uses CFC-based refrigerants
A home owner in a sunny climate has decided to lease a photovoltaic system instead of purchase one. Which of the following about that choice is true?
A. Leasing the system would allow the owner to participate in a demand response program. B. Leasing the system would decrease the home’s electricity demand. C. Leasing the system would increase the home’s energy efficiency. D. Leasing the system would offset a large up-front cost.
D. Leasing the system would offset a large up-front cost.
A developer is building a medical park that will have ten buildings for doctors’ offices. Which of the following is a strategy for achieving energy efficiency?
A. Installing a community solar garden B. Siting the buildings close to each other C. Building a district heating and cooling system D. Purchasing carbon offsets
C. Building a district heating and cooling system
A district energy system (DES) is ‘a central energy conversion plant and transmission and distribution system that provides thermal energy to a group of buildings
Energy efficiency is defined as:
A. The use of technology that requires less energy to perform the same function as a conventional item B. Any strategy that reduces resource use 20% from a baseline comparison C. Any strategy that reduces resource use 10% or more from a baseline comparison D. The replacement of any older building product with a newer building product
A. The use of technology that requires less energy to perform the same function as a conventional item