USGBC LEED-GA Online Practice Questions and Exam Preparation

USGBC LEED-GA Online Questions & Answers

• Question 11:

  What unit is green power purchased in?

  A. Kilowatt-hour (kWh)
  B. British thermal units (BTUs]
  C. Dollar amount of the purchase price
  D. Megawatt-hour per square foot (MWh/sf)
  A. Kilowatt-hour (kWh)

  ---

  Green power, like all electricity, is typically purchased in units of kilowatt-hours (kWh). This unit measures the amount of energy used over time. For example, a 1-kilowatt (1000 watts) appliance used for one hour consumes one kilowatt-hour of electricity..

  References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources

• Question 12:

  Which of the following strategies meets energy demand with renewable energy?

  A. Installing a solar hot water heater
  B. Incinerating waste to heat a home
  C. Implementing a composting program in an office break room
  D. Purchasing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)from a clean coal plant
  A. Installing a solar hot water heater

  ---

  Installing a solar hot water heater is a strategy that meets energy demand with renewable energy. Solar hot water heaters use the sun's energy to heat water, reducing the need for non-renewable energy sources..

  References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources

• Question 13:

  Which of the following processes should a project team use to establish synergy among systems and components?

  A. Comprehensive
  B. Interactive
  C. Integrative
  D. Systematic
  C. Integrative

  ---

  LEED emphasizes:

  "The integrative process... encourages the project team to find opportunities to achieve synergies throughout

  all building systems."

  The integrative approach involves energy and water analysis in early phases to drive sustainability.

• Question 14:

  What is the current standard LEED uses to determine the baseline for indoor water savings?

  A. Energy Policy Act (EPACT) of 1992. 2005
  B. ANSI 17024
  C. The local standard in which the project is located
  D. The Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013
  A. Energy Policy Act (EPACT) of 1992. 2005

  ---

  The Energy Policy Act (EPACT) of 1992 set standards for indoor water fixtures like toilets and faucets, which are used as a baseline for determining water savings in LEED projects. The 2005 amendment to the EPACT further updated these standards..

  References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources

• Question 15:

  Which of the following credit categories does not have a prerequisite?

  A. Water Efficiency
  B. Materials and Resources
  C. Location and Transportation
  D. Indoor Environmental Quality
  A. Water Efficiency

  ---

  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.

  References: LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, p..17.1; [LEED v4 BD+C Scorecard]

• Question 16:

  According to a study completed by the Heschong Mahone Group, which of the following Indoor Environmental Quality strategies can improve student test scores in schools by 7%-18%?

  A. Installing ergonomic furniture
  B. Putting plants in the classroom
  C. Providing increased dayliqhting
  D. Using thermal comfort controls
  C. Providing increased dayliqhting

  ---

  According to a study completed by the Heschong Mahone Group, providing increased daylighting in schools can improve student test scores by 7%-18%. Daylighting is the practice of placing windows, skylights, other openings, and reflective surfaces so that sunlight (direct or indirect) can provideeffective internal lighting. Particular attention is given to daylighting while designing a building when the aim is to maximize visual comfort or to reduce energy use..

  References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources

• Question 17:

  What is the process that is performed on existing buildings to identify and recognize system improvements that make the building more suitable for current use?

  A. Energy modeling
  B. Retrocommissioning
  C. Life-cycle assessment
  D. Fundamental Commissioning (Cx)
  B. Retrocommissioning

  ---

  Retrocommissioning is a process applied to existing buildings to ensure that they continue to perform optimally for the current use. This process involves checking systems to see if they function as intended, making necessary repairs or improvements, and ensuring that building staff are trained in the operation and maintenance of systems..

  References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources

• Question 18:

  A salvaged wood door from another site qualifies under what Materials and Resources sustainable criteria?

  A. Certified wood
  B. Materials reuse
  C. Bio-based materials
  D. Waste diversion
  B. Materials reuse

  ---

  A salvaged wood door from another site qualifies under the Materials and Resources sustainable criteria of materials reuse. Materials reuse is the practice of using existing materials or products for new purposes without altering their form or composition. Materials reuse reduces the demand for virgin materials, saves energy and resources, and prevents waste generation. The other options are not applicable to a salvaged wood door from another site. Certified wood is wood that has been harvested from

  forests that are managed in an environmentally responsible, socially beneficial, and economically viable manner according to the standards of an accredited certification system such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Bio-based materials are materials that are derived from plants or animals, such as bamboo, cork, wool, or cotton. Waste diversion is the practice of diverting waste from landfills or incinerators by recycling, reusing, salvaging, or donating materials..

  References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, page 28; USGBC, [Materials and Resources], page 4.

• Question 19:

  Which methodology is used to evaluate and study the economic performance of a building or system over its entire life?

  A. Energy costing
  B. Triple bottom line
  C. Materials assessment
  D. Life cycle assessment
  D. Life cycle assessment

  ---

  The methodology that is used to evaluate and study the economic performance of a building or system over its entire life is life cycle assessment (LCA)..LCA is a technique that assesses the environmental aspects and potential impacts associated with a product, process, or service throughout its life cycle, from raw material extraction to end-of-life disposal or recycling7..LCA can also include an economic dimension by incorporating life cycle costing (LCC), whichestimates the total costs of ownership over the life cycle of a product or system8. By combining LCA and LCC, one can evaluate the environmental and economic performance of a building or system in a holistic way, taking into account both the initial investment costs and the long-term operational costs..This can help identify trade-offs and synergies between environmental and economic objectives, as well as opportunities for improving efficiency and reducing impacts9..

  References: Life-cycle assessment7; What is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)?8; Life Cycle Costing in Construction Projects: A Case Study of a Municipal Building in Portugal9

• Question 20:

  Which of the following reduces construction waste?

  A. Ordering materials in excess
  B. Using modular or prefabricated components
  C. Allowing uncontrolled demolition
  D. Increasing packaging waste
  B. Using modular or prefabricated components

  ---

  Prefabrication minimizes on-site waste generation and supports Waste Management credits.