LEED Green Associate Exam Practice Exam
Question 1
Construction and demolition debris includes all but which of the following?
A Concrete from a demolished building
B Steel from a demolished building
C Drywall
D Rocks
Question 2
What should be included in a construction waste management plan?
A Asbestos removal
B Where construction debris will be diverted
C Erosion control
D The percent of recycled materials
Question 3
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A project team discovers a new way to avoid the heat island effect. How does the
LEED certification process reward this new concept?
A Heat Island Effect is covered by LEED, so no additional points would be given
B An innovative performance point would be awarded
C An exemplary performance point would be awarded
D An extra Heat Island Effect point would be awarded
Question 4
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Which of the following does not help achieve a water-efficient landscape?
A Micro misters
B Green roof
C Planting with adaptive plants
D Planting with native plants
Question 5
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Which of the following projects would not meet the minimum program requirements
for certification?
A A new building on an office campus located next door to an existing certified building
B A modular classroom that can be moved to another location on the school property
C A building project that is three stories high
D A new laboratory building that will be located partially underground
Question 6
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The addition or increasing the use of graywater in a building can help with:
A Reducing potable water use in faucets
B Reducing stormwater runoff
C Reducing potable water used by urinals
D Reducing rainwater harvesting
Question 7
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What environmental issue is associated with refrigerants used in HVAC&R systems?
A Damage to the Earth's ozone layer
B Increased use of fossil fuels
C Pollution of water bodies
D Increased air pollution
Question 8
What has the lowest priority in building design?
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A Building codes
B Fire protection codes
C Plumbing codes
D LEED Rating System
Question 9
Biomass is what type of material?
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A Landfill gas
B Fly-ash
C Plant material
D Animal waste
Question 10
What information is needed to calculate the SRI of a material?
A Reflectance
B Thickness of the material
C Emissivity
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D Thermal gradient
Question 11
What is the benefit of installing bicycle racks?
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A Reducing automobile use
B Innovation in Design
C Reducing heat islands
D Communitiy connectivity
Question 12
What site features are included in the landscape area?
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A The building
B Paved bicycled path
C Walkway made of recycled rubber tires
D Area with invasive plants
Question 13
How can regional priority credits be earned?
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A Addressing green measures or strategies that are more important to a climate or region
B Using 100% native plants for the site's landscaping
C Developing an educational or training system that addresses local building issues
D Using materials that are located within 500 miles of the project site
Question 14
Which vehicle is not considered an alternative-fuel vehicle?
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A Efficient gas-electric hybrid
B Electric car
C Natural gas powered car
D Gas powered Honda that has achieved a Green Score of 40
Question 15
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The use of native plants on the project site can most assist projects teams with
what other sustainable intents?
A Using sustainable materials
B Construction waste management
C Protecting existing local habitat
D Reducing stormwater quantity
Question 16
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What helps minimize the space requirements of occupant recycling?
A Installing can crushers
B Having multiple bins for each recycled material
C Locating the recycling bins in the basement of the building
D Having onsite cardboard bailers
Question 17
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What important documents should be created for the purpose of selecting the
design team?
A Request for qualifications
B Operations and maintenance manuals
C Statement of work
D Bidding documents
Question 18
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What resources are available to team members to find more information about
other LEED projects?
A USGBC's monthly magazine
B LEED Online
C USGBC Chapters
D USGBC publications
Question 19
What tool is used to determine the target certification level?
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A LEED Score Card
B LEED Online
C EPA's Target Finder
D CIR
Question 20
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How many points are listed for prerequisites on the LEED Scorecard?
A 1
B 2
C 0
D 18
Question 21
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How can the site boundary differ from the LEED project boundary?
A The site boundary is the property line while the LEED project boundary the portion of the
site submitted for LEED
The
site boundary is the portion of the site submitted for LEED while the LEED project
B
boundary marks where the LEED project ends
C They are exactly the same
D They can be the same, but site boundary includes only the area submitted for LEED
Question 22
What type of fixture can earn EPA's WaterSense label?
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A HET dual flush toilet
B Kitchen sink faucets
C Washing machine
D Dishwasher
Question 23
What does the Montreal Protocol ban?
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A CFCs
B Coal-fired power plants
C Mercury in light bulbs
D Incandescent light bulbs
Question 24
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A project will include underground parking. This change can have a positive impact
on what issue?
A Community connectivity
B Pedestrian access
C Heat island effect
D Parking capacity
Question 25
Which items are considered pre-consumer recycled content?
A Excavated soil
B Wooden pallets used by a shipping company
C Leftover drywall from a renovation
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D Magazine overruns
Question 26
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Which of the following strategies have earned innovation in design / operations in
the past?
A Implementing an educational outreach program
B Implementing a green parking design
C Using high volume fly ash in concrete
D Using organic foods in a cafeteria
Question 27
Which of the following is not a LEED Rating System?
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A LEED for Retail
B LEED for Small Buildings
C LEED for Neighborhood Development
D LEED for Schools
Question 28
What project issues are addressed by guidelines from SMACNA?
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A VOCs in materials
B Refrigerant quantities
C Carpet durability
D Air quality issues from construction or renovation
Question 29
What are attributes of native plants?
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A Require less pruning
B Require less pesticides
C Require less sunlight
D Require less fertilizer
Question 30
LEED Online can be used for all of the following except:
A Managing public facing project details
B Accessing online reference guides
C Document compliance with LEED Credit Requirements
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D Submit technical inquiries regarding LEED Credits
Question 31
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How can the heat island effect on the roof of a building be reduced?
A Covering the roof with high VOC materials
B Installing a cistern on the roof
C Painting the surface with dark colored coatings
D Installing a green roof
Question 32
What defines the density of a nonresidential building?
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A Floor Area / Acre of Buildable Land
B Building Footprint / Acre of Buildable Land
C Floor Area / 120,000 sq. ft.
D Site Area / Acre of Buildable Land
Question 33
What does ASHRAE 55-2004 specify?
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A Thermal comfort
B Indoor air quality
C Commuting surveys
D Energy performance
Question 34
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How is the quantity of locally harvested and manufactured materials used on a
project calculated?
A By the amount of leftovers diverted from landfills
B By the number of board feet
C By the materials' proportion of cost
D By the materials' average distance from the project site
Question 35
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What is the most common way to meet the requirements of off-site renewable
energy?
A Directly purchasing green power from local utility companies
B Obtaining energy from a geothermal system
C Purchasing RECs
D Installing a rooftop photovoltaic array.
Question 36
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What is the minimum occupancy rate required for an Existing Buildings O&M project
(Building Operations & Maintenance) to earn certification?
A 75% of FTEs
B 1 FTE
C 80% of FTEs
D Typical physical occupancy
Question 37
What is the best type of site to develop on?
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A Nature preserve
B Greenfield
C Previously developed site
D Wetland
Question 38
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A LEED AP on a project works exclusively on the HVAC system and does not serve
as a principal participant. What statement is true regarding this scenario?
A The project would earn a Regional Priority credit
B The project would earn an Innovation in Design credit
C The project would earn an Energy and Atmosphere credit
D No Innovation in Design credit would be earned for having the LEED AP work on the
project
Question 39
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On what should the priorities for the project design criteria be based?
A Environmental guidelines
B Carbon offsets
C Value engineering
D Project constraints
Question 40
What must occur if a project includes a CFC phase-out plan?
A The CFC-based refrigerants must be replaced with HCFCs
B The project must implement green house gas emissions reporting
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C The annual leakage of CFC-based refrigerants must be reduced to 5% or less
D The CFC-based refrigerants must be replaced with low ODP refrigerants
Question 41
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What is a way LEED encourages the purchase and use of low-emitting and fuelefficient vehicles?
A Providing discounted parking passes, if parking fees exist
B Setting up a carpool notification system
C Implementing car share membership
D Locating the project in a densely developed neighborhood
Question 42
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What amount of parking will encourage alternative transportation and maximize
open space?
A Enough for parking for FTE building occupants
B The minimum amount required by any local code
C 25% less parking spaces than the peak occupant demand
D Enough parking to handle peak occupant demand
Question 43
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A Green Education program is widely known as an innovative strategy worthy of an
ID point in the LEED rating systems. What characteristics does this program display
that must be present in all innovative performance strategies?
A Quantifiable
B Unique
C Rare
D Comprehensive
Question 44
What information can be entered in the LEED Score Card?
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A USGBC Member ID
B Certification estimate
C Points attempted for prerequisites
D If the credit will be streamlined
Question 45
What would be included in hard cost estimates?
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A Art
B Carpet
C Furniture
D Fire sprinkler system
Question 46
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If local code permits, what types of water should be used for flushing toilets?
A Dishwasher water
B Stormwater
C Well water
D Graywater
Question 47
When does a successful integrated project begin?
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A In the construction phase
B At the project handover
C In the pre-design phase
D After occupancy
Question 48
What will NOT help with water efficient landscaping?
Show Answer Legend
A Xeriscaping
B Creating a sediment basin
C Mulching around plants
D Planting native plants
Question 49
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What design decisions would help reduce the quantity or improve the quality of
stormwater runoff?
A Adding a constructed wetland
B Replacing all roads and hardscapes with impervious asphalt
C Using drip lines for irrigation
D Placing the building next to a park or other natural area
Question 50
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In an integrated design approach, when does the green building process end?
A At the construction phase
B At the bidding phase
C At the design phase
D At final occupancy
Question 51
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How long can a project team take after project completion to phase-out any CFCbased refrigerants?
A 4 years
B 2 years
C 3 years
D 5 years
Question 52
What type of water has the highest quality?
Show Answer Legend
A Well water
B Graywater
C Stormwater
D Non-potable water
Question 53
What is the EPAct of 1992 used for?
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A To set the baseline water flow requirements of toilets and fixtures
B To define ODP and GWP limits for refrigerants
C To determine the baseline building energy performance for buildings 20,000 sq. ft. or less
D To define the VOC content limits of certain building materials
Question 54
What landscaping strategy will best eliminate the need for irrigation?
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A Drip irrigation
B Micro-irrigation
C Mulching
D Xeriscaping
Question 55
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If a building has already earned LEED for New Construction certification, what additional
certifications could the project earn?
A Neighborhood Development
B Operations & Maintenance
C Core & Shell
D Commercial Interiors
Question 56
Which of the following is not a strategy to reduce construction waste?
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A Sell unused materials
B Use salvaged materials
C Recycle materials
D Maximize the building footprint
Question 57
What are the life cycle costing benefits of a vegetated roof?
Show Answer Legend
A Reduced heat islands
B Longer product life
C Reduction in storm water runoff
D Lower maintenance costs
Question 58
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In many buildings the most significant savings associated with water efficiency
result from:
A Keeping contaminants at safe levels in reservoirs and aquifers
B Reduced development costs
C Reduced maintenance costs
D Reduced energy costs
Question 59
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What types of green energy qualify as green power for LEED projects?
A On-site renewable energy
B Using no refrigerants
C Energy reductions
D Renewable energy certificates
Question 60
What type of plants should be used on a green roof?
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A Plants with high watering needs
B Tall plants that provide shade
C Lightweight plants
D Native plants
Question 61
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What organization publishes Ozone Depletion and Global Warming Potential scores?
A USGBC
B World Meteorological Organization
C Montreal Protocol
D United Nations
Question 62
What would qualify as preferred parking for LEED?
Show Answer Legend
A Visitor drop-off areas
B Delivery truck parking
C Bicycle parking
D Providing discounted parking passes
Question 63
What should potable water be used for?
Show Answer Legend
A Irrigation
B Flushing toilets
C Cooling towers
D Drinking
Question 64
What are attributes of open space?
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A Open space is vegetated
B Open space is 100 ft. beyond the building perimeter
C Open space is shaded
D Open space is pervious
E Open space has been previously developed
Question 65
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A vehicle must meet which requirement to be considered low-emitting and fuelefficient?
A Green Label score of 40 or more
B Green score of 40 or more
C Green-e score of 40 or more
D Green Seal score of 40 or more
Question 66
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Green power refers to electricity products that include significant proportions of
electricity generated from energy resources that
A Come from hydroelectric sources
B Are environmentally preferable
C Have zero emissions
D Are greenhouse gas neutral
Question 67
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Why does the USGBC outline rules on use of its trademarks and logos?
A USGBC wants to make sure it retains control over what is said about LEED
B USGBC wants to make sure its message is spread accurately
C USGBC wants to be able to charge a fee for logo use
D USGBC wants customers to be directed to its website for clear information
Question 68
What credit category is given the greatest weighting?
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A Sustainable Sites
B Water Efficiency
C Materials and Resources
D Energy and Atmosphere
Question 69
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What strategy does the EPA rank highest as having the greatest impact on waste
reduction?
A Recycling
B Source reduction
C Reuse
D Selecting sustainable materials
Question 70
Show Answer Legend
Some wood flooring recovered onsite from a renovation project was refurbished
and reused onsite. What type of material is the wood flooring considered?
A Virgin wood
B Salvaged material
C Regional/local material
D Recycled content
Question 71
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A site described as accessible means the site meets the requirements of which
standard?
A AIA
B GBCI
C ADA
D USGBC
Question 72
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What accounting methodology is used to evaluate the economic performance of a
product or system over its useful life?
A Cradle-to-cradle analysis
B Life-cycle assessment
C Life-cycle costing
D Triple bottom line accounting
Question 73
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Who decides if wastewater from showers can be used for irrigation?
A Project team
B USGBC via the CIR process
C Universal plumbing code
D Local authorities with jurisdiction in the area
Question 74
In sustainable building, what should a project's budget include?
v
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A Lifecycle cost analysis
B Project goals
C Statement of work
D Industry-related standards relevant to the project
Question 75
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With regards to refrigerants, what is a natural conflict between the prevention of
ozone depletion and global warming?
A Refrigerants contain ozone layer gases
B Refrigerants that deplete the ozone layer are less efficient
C Refrigerants that are neutral to the ozone layer are less efficient
D Refrigerants contain global warming gases
Question 76
What two terms mean the same thing?
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A SRI
B Albedo
C Solar reflectance
D Emissivity
E Heat island
Question 77
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If an HVAC engineer is a LEED AP and also a principle participant on a project, what
type of credit can be earned??
A Platinum
B Bonus
C Innovation in Design
D Quantifiable
Question 78
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Why should a project team aim to achieve more points than are required for the target
certification level?
A Achieving more points will increase the energy efficiency of the building
B If some credits are denied, the project will still earn enough points for the target certification
C To earn regional priority credits
D In case extra points are achieved during the construction process, the next certification
level can be achieved
Question 79
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What is the most commonly used energy code in the United States and includes information
such as R-values for insulation?
A International Energy Conservation Code
B ENERGY STAR Rating
C RESCHECK
D HERS
Question 80
If a refrigeration system is inefficient, what is the indirect impact?
Show Answer Legend
A Increased energy consumption
B Decreased water use
C Increased heat islands
D Decreased green house gas emissions
Question 81
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A granite countertop taken from a demolition project and reused in a residence is what type of
product?
A Locally extracted
B Locally manufactured
C Locally recovered
D Salvaged
Question 82
Why choose a project site with a high development density?
Show Answer Legend
A The project site would be near a public rail line
B The project would have access to public parking
C The project would reduce sprawl
D The project would have access to at least 10 basic services
Question 83
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What is a working fluid that flows through a machine that is designed to pump heat from a lower
temperature to a higher temperature?
A Graywater
B Green power
C Potable water
D Refrigerants
Question 84
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A product made in part from cardboard boxes collected at curbside pickups or from an onsite
comingled recycling area is an example of what material?
A Recycled materials
B Durable materials
C Remanufactured materials
D Salvaged materials
Question 85
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What are acceptable ways to reference LEED in product literature?
A ABC Bamboo flooring complies with all requirements of MR Credit 6 Rapidly Renewable
Materials under LEED
ABC
Bamboo flooring contributes to satisfying MR Credit 6 Rapidly Renewable Materials
B
under LEED
C ABC Bamboo flooring complies with MR Credit 6 Rapidly Renewable Materials
D ABC Bamboo flooring is a LEED product
E ABC Bamboo flooring is LEED qualified product
Question 86
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LEED Minimum Project Requirements prohibit gerrymandering. What does this mean?
A Making the project building area < 2% of the site area
B Hiding project costs in ROI calculations
C Defining the site area to exclude green space between campus projects
D Adjusting a project boundary for the benefit of earning credits/prerequisites
Question 87
What items would NOT be included in comingled recycling?
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A Cardboard
B Plastic
C Aluminum cans
D Stone
Question 88
What type of land is NOT considered previously developed?
Show Answer Legend
A Farmland
B Tree mill
C Site of an old drive-in theatre
D Graded site that has grown over with grass
Question 89
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What attribute should recycled materials have in order to take advantage of synergies with
regional materials?
A Lower life-cycle costs
B More durability
C Remanufactured regionally
D Low VOCs
Question 90
Which projects would not be eligible for LEED certification?
Show Answer Legend
A An existing building project that phases out the use of CFC-based refrigerants no later
than 5 years after the project is completed
B A new building project that uses CFC-based refrigerants
C An existing building project that reduces CFC-based refrigerants by 95% prior to submitting
the LEED application and will continue to use this system for another 10 years
D A new building project that uses no refrigerants
E A new building project that uses hydrocarbons (HCs) as refrigerants
Question 91
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What standard might need to be consulted for increasing building energy
performance?
A ISO 14020
B SMACNA
C Green-e
D ASHRAE 90.1-2007
Question 92
What environmental issue occurs from stormwater runoff?
Show Answer Legend
A Heat islands
B Blackwater
C Sedimentation
D Ozone depletion
Question 93
What is not a credit category in LEED?
Show Answer Legend
A Sustainable Sites
B Water Efficiency
C Indoor Air Quality
D Materials and Resources
Show Answer Legend
Question 94
If a mechanical engineer on a LEED project team needs guidance on whether a
particular software package can be used to measure energy efficiency, how should
the engineer proceed?
A Submit a CIR to the project administrator
B Submit a CIR to the LEED Steering Committee
CSubmit a CIR using LEED Online
D See if the credit is marked 'Anticipated' during the design phase review
Question 95
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What should be used during all project phases to verify the green building goals are
being met?
A LEED Score Card
B Commissioning plan
C Materials checklist
D ID Credit Catalog
Question 96
How can green power be purchased for use in LEED projects?
Show Answer Legend
A By purchasing any renewable energy source
B By installing solar panels
C By purchasing biofuel based power
D By selecting a Green-e certified power provider
Question 97
What best defines non-potable water?
Show Answer Legend
A Reclaimed water
B Recycled water from a municipal supply
C Water that is not treated to drinking water standards
D Water obtained from rainwater harvesting
Question 98
What environmental benefit does green power have?
A Avoiding electricity blackouts
B Reduced environmental regulation
C Emission reductions
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D Stability of electrical prices
Question 99
What does the global warming potential measure?
Show Answer Legend
A Lifespan of refrigerants
B Chemical contribution to global warming
C Harm done by refrigerants to the ozone layer
D Embodied energy of a refrigerant
Question 100
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What types of old materials/items does LEED NOT suggest reusing on a project?
A Flooring
B Asphalt
C Showerheads
D Furniture