V4 Green Associate Test 3 (Part 1)

Question 1 Explanation:

This is part of USGBC’s vision as the other options are dealing with the CaGBC or the USGBC’s mission

Question 2 Explanation:

For example, the lighting requirements may differ for an individual occupant (task lighting) or for a shared multi-occupant space (occupancy sensors).

Question 3 Explanation:

Each building disclosure and optimization credit in the Materials and Resources section has two options for compliance. The first option is for material transparency - what's in the material or how was it obtained. There are third party certifications used to confirm transparency. Transparency in the materials credits comes from publishing: • EPDs (include the life-cycle impacts of a product) • CSRs (help to identify products/manufacturers that have been verified to be extracted or sourced in a responsible manner) • HPD (stands for Health Product Declaration) The HPD is a standard format for reporting product content and associated health information for building products and materials. HPD is free for all to use. The HPD's ongoing development, maintenance, and evolution is grounded in a transparent process that relies on input from both customers and producers and is overseen by the non-profit Health Product Declaration Collaborative. The other option is an optimization path. This one requires teams to use products that are certified by a third party to demonstrate an impact reduction below industry average.

Question 4 Explanation:

There is not enough information given to determine where the project is located and thus the only one credit category which we know benefits from this act is MR.

Question 5 Explanation:

The project manufacturer will have a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) that lists the chemical content of materials

Question 6 Explanation:

In the United States, buildings account for: 14% of potable water consumption 30% of waste output 40% of raw materials use 38% of carbon dioxide emissions 24% to 50% of energy use 72% of electricity consumption

Question 7 Explanation:

Plug load is the electrical current drawn by all equipment connected via wall outlets. Process energy is the power resources consume in support of processes other than conditioning spaces and maintaining comfort and amenities for building occupants of a building; it may include refrigeration equipment, cooking and food preparation, clothes washing, and other major support appliances. Unregulated load (aka process load) is the load on a building resulting from the consumption or release of process energy.

Question 8 Explanation:

Choosing urban areas that are previously developed with high development densities are encouraged

Question 9 Explanation:

LEED Rating Systems are not written in the form of enforceable codes, acting as optional approaches. The IgCC is a 'model' code, requiring adoption by a governing jurisdiction before it becomes law. In this way, the model language can, if necessary, be adapted to address local conditions and allows for publicly elected legislative bodies to have the final voice in adoption. An alternate path of compliance to the IgCC is the ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1, Standard for the Design of High Performance, Green Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings.

Question 10 Explanation:

Demand response (DR) is a program where the utility company contacts a consumer with a request to cut back on their power draw during a curtailment event (e.g. Severe weather, heavy load on the grid, utility company maintenance). DR is simply a contract agreement between the utility company and consumer (usually large commercial or industrial) and not a form of alternative or renewable energy. Renewable energy production is the generation of onsite renewable energy, which protects projects from energy price volatility and reliance on the grid. It also allows the project to achieve net zero energy consumption, meaning the total amount of energy used by the building on an annual basis is roughly equal to the amount of renewable energy created on-site. Renewable energy sources allowable include: Biofuel, wave and tidal energy, wind, low-impact hydroelectricity, geothermal, photovoltaic, and solar thermal. Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) are tradeable, non-tangible energy commodities. RECs represent proof that 1 megawatt-hour (MWh) of electricity was generated from an eligible renewable energy resource. Green power may be purchased either directly or indirectly from utility providers, and while some utility providers actually deliver green energy through the grid, many purchase RECs. Carbon Offsets are reductions in emissions of carbon dioxide or greenhouse gases made in order to compensate for or to offset an emission made elsewhere. In the voluntary market, individuals, companies, or governments purchase carbon offsets to mitigate their own greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, electricity use, and other sources. One carbon offset represents the reduction of one metric ton of carbon dioxide or its equivalent in other greenhouse gases. RECs allow buildings that use nonrenewable power to create market demand for renewable energy while carbon offsets allow buildings to fund activities that decrease carbon emissions or remove carbon from the atmosphere.

Question 11 Explanation:

The weightings are as followed: • 35% Reverse Contribution to Global Climate Change • 20% Enhance Individual Human Health and Well-Being • 15% Protect and Restore Water Resources • 10% Protect, Enhance and Restore Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services • 10% Promote Sustainable and Regenerative Material Resources Cycles • 5% Build a Greener Economy • 5% Enhance Social Equity, Environmental Justice, Community Health and Quality of Life

Question 12 Explanation:

In the United States, buildings account for: 14% of potable water consumption 30% of waste output 40% of raw materials use 38% of carbon dioxide emissions 24% to 50% of energy use 72% of electricity consumption

Question 13 Explanation:

Brownfields are previously used or redeveloped land that may be contaminated with hazardous waste or pollution. The land has the potential to be reused once any hazardous substances, pollutants, or contaminants are remediated. Local incentives may be available for selecting to remediate a brownfield.

Question 14 Explanation:

Trademarked logos may not be used to indicate any kind of endorsement by USGBC of any product or service, to indicate that any official status for any product or service has been conferred by, or is otherwise associated with USGBC. Logos may not be placed on product packaging under any circumstances.

Question 15 Explanation:

Primary renewable energy sources: • solar thermal • photovoltaic • wind • wave and tidal • low-impact hydroelectricity • geothermal • biofuel • dung from animals and human excreta (the energy is converted through direct combustion or through anaerobic digestion) Coal, oil, and natural gas are hydrocarbons and non-renewable energy sources. Generating and utilizing energy means converting energy from one form into another—energy flow. Energy flow refers to: 1. Primary energy (the energy as it is available in the natural environment, e.g. A hydro resource) 2. Secondary energy (the energy ready for transport or transmission, e.g. Electricity at the hydro power station) 3. Final energy (the energy which the consumer buys or receives, e.g. Electricity at a saw mill) 4. Useful energy (the energy which is an input in an end-use application, e.g. Shaft power for sawing)

Question 16 Explanation:

The key word in the question is that it asks about appliances, not water using fixtures. Clothes washers and dishwashers should be ENERGY STAR Labeled.

Question 17 Explanation:

Xeriscaping would help with both the economic and environmental side of the triple bottom line.

Question 18 Explanation:

Any updates, changes, errata to any LEED rating system are found on USGBC's website and nowhere else

Question 19 Explanation:

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 (e.g. A central cooling plant on a university campus). It does not include central energy systems that provide only electricity

Question 20 Explanation:

Certification fees are based on square footage

Question 21 Explanation:

The design part of a split review allows for this.

Question 22 Explanation:

Site energy is the amount of heat and electricity consumed by a building as reflected in your utility bills. Site energy may be delivered to a building in one of two forms: primary or secondary energy. Source energy represents the total amount of raw fuel that is required to operate the building. It incorporates all transmission, delivery, and production losses. By taking all energy use into account, it provides a complete assessment of energy efficiency in a building. Primary energy is the raw fuel that is burned to create heat and electricity. Secondary energy is the energy product (heat or electricity) created from a raw fuel, such as electricity purchased from the grid or heat received from a district steam system.

Question 24 Explanation:

This is also known as a LEED Charrette

Question 25 Explanation:

Commissioning is the process of verifying and documenting that a building and all of its systems and assemblies are planned, designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained to meet the owner's project requirements.