ARE Sustainable Design and Environmental Systems 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The urban heat island effect is primarily caused by which of the following?
- Increased urban green space
- High-albedo reflective surfaces
- Replacement of vegetation with heat-absorbing paved surfaces (Correct answer)
- Reduced fossil fuel combustion in cities
Correct answer: Replacement of vegetation with heat-absorbing paved surfaces
Urban heat islands form when natural vegetation is replaced by dark, impervious materials like asphalt and concrete that absorb solar radiation and re-emit it as heat.
Question 2: Which term describes greenhouse gas emissions associated with the manufacturing, transportation, and installation of building materials—before a building is occupied?
- Operational carbon
- Embodied carbon (Correct answer)
- Life-cycle carbon
- Functional carbon
Correct answer: Embodied carbon
Embodied carbon refers to carbon emissions locked into building materials through extraction, manufacturing, and construction, distinct from emissions during building operation.
Question 3: The stack effect used in natural ventilation relies on which physical principle?
- Wind pressure differentials on the building facade
- Warm air rising due to buoyancy differences (Correct answer)
- Mechanical fan-assisted air circulation
- Evaporative cooling from water surfaces
Correct answer: Warm air rising due to buoyancy differences
The stack effect occurs because warm air is less dense than cool air, causing it to rise and exit through high openings while drawing cooler air in at low inlets.
Question 4: For a south-facing window in a hot climate, which glazing parameter most directly controls unwanted summer solar heat gain?
- U-factor
- Visible light transmittance (VT)
- Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) (Correct answer)
- Air leakage rate
Correct answer: Solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC)
The Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) measures the fraction of solar radiation admitted through a window as heat; a low SHGC is critical for reducing cooling loads in hot climates.
Question 5: Which stormwater management strategy uses vegetated, sloped channels to slow runoff, filter sediment, and promote groundwater infiltration?
- Retention pond
- Bioswale (Correct answer)
- Green roof
- Permeable paving
Correct answer: Bioswale
Bioswales are linear planted channels designed to convey, filter, and infiltrate stormwater, reducing runoff volume and improving water quality.
Question 6: In a building water conservation strategy, 'graywater' refers to water collected from which sources?
- Toilets and urinals only
- Sinks, showers, and laundry fixtures (Correct answer)
- Roof rainwater and condensate
- All building wastewater including sewage
Correct answer: Sinks, showers, and laundry fixtures
Graywater is lightly contaminated water from lavatories, showers, and laundry that can be treated and reused for toilet flushing or irrigation without full sewage treatment.
Question 7: Energy modeling software is used during the design phase primarily to accomplish which of the following?
- Calculate gravity and lateral structural loads
- Predict annual energy consumption and verify code compliance (Correct answer)
- Determine construction cost estimates
- Produce permit-ready construction documents
Correct answer: Predict annual energy consumption and verify code compliance
Energy modeling simulates a building's thermal and energy performance to predict annual energy use, identify efficiency opportunities, and demonstrate compliance with ASHRAE 90.1 or IECC.
ARE Sustainable Design and Environmental Systems 2
The urban heat island effect is primarily caused by which of the following?