US Green Building Council LEED Green Associate LEED-Green-Associate Exam Practice Test

Answer : C

Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are the class of refrigerants that contribute the most to ozone depletion potential (ODP). Ozone depletion potential is a measure of how much a substance can damage the ozone layer in the stratosphere, which protects life on Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. CFCs are synthetic chemicals that contain chlorine, fluorine, and carbon atoms. They were widely used as refrigerants, aerosol propellants, solvents, and foam blowing agents until they were phased out by the Montreal Protocol due to their high ODP. The LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook states that one of the strategies for achieving energy and atmosphere efficiency is to ''eliminate chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) in new building HVAC&R systems'' [1, p. 15].Reference:LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, [Ozone Depletion Potential | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]

Answer : B

Designing buildings to shade each other can help reduce energy demand by decreasing cooling loads. By strategically positioning buildings on a site, it's possible to use the buildings themselves to block solar heat gain, reducing the need for air conditioning.Reference: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources

Answer : C

Waste that is transported or diverted to landfills can have negative impacts on the environment, such as occupying valuable land, contaminating soil and water, and emitting harmful gases. One of the most significant impacts is the production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming and climate change. Methane is generated when organic waste decomposes anaerobically (without oxygen) in landfills.Methane has a global warming potential 28 times higher than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period12.Reference: LEED v4 Green Associate Candidate Handbook1, EPA's Landfill Methane Outreach Program2

Answer : A

The Integrative Process includes Discovery (gathering data), Design and Construction (implementing strategies), and Feedback (evaluating performance). This collaborative approach maximizes building performance.

Answer : A

Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) are tradable, non-tangible energy commodities that represent the environmental attributes of one megawatt-hour of electricity generated from renewable sources, such as wind, solar, hydro, or biomass1.RECs can be purchased by anyone, regardless of their location or utility provider, to support the development of renewable energy and reduce their carbon footprint2.RECs can also help projects earn points for the LEED v4 Innovation credit for Green Power and Carbon Offsets, which requires the purchase of at least 50% of the total building energy use from renewable sources or offsets for a minimum of five years3.

Using Renewable Energy for LEED Certification

Renewable Energy Certificates For Green Building Explained

LEED v4, Renewable Energy, and Carbon Offsets

Answer : B

Greenwashing is a term that describes misinformation presented to consumers to portray a product or policy as being more environmentally friendly than it is. Greenwashing can be done by using vague or misleading claims, false labels or certifications, irrelevant or exaggerated benefits, or hidden trade-offs.Greenwashing can deceive consumers into buying products or supporting policies that are not truly green, and undermine the credibility and effectiveness of genuine green initiatives1.Reference: LEED v4 Green Associate Candidate Handbook1, EPA's Greenwashing

Answer : C

Graywater includes wastewater from lavatory faucets, whereas blackwater includes wastewater from toilets and urinals. This describes the difference between graywater and blackwater according to LEED. Graywater is wastewater that has been used for non-potable purposes, such as washing hands or dishes, but does not contain human or animal waste. Blackwater is wastewater that has been contaminated with human or animal waste from toilets or urinals. Graywater can be reused for certain purposes after minimal treatment, such as irrigation or toilet flushing, whereas blackwater requires more advanced treatment before reuse or disposal. The LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook states that one of the strategies for achieving water efficiency is to ''use non-potable water (graywater) for sewage conveyance'' [1, p. 14].Reference:LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, [Graywater vs Blackwater | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]