DBIA Sustainability and Green Building in Design-Build 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A net zero energy building is best defined as one that:
- Uses no electricity from any source
- Produces as much renewable energy as it consumes on an annual basis (Correct answer)
- Is disconnected from the utility grid
- Has no mechanical systems
Correct answer: Produces as much renewable energy as it consumes on an annual basis
Net zero energy balances annual consumption with renewable generation, usually while remaining grid-connected.
Question 2: Energy use intensity (EUI) is typically expressed in which units in the U.S.?
- kWh per occupant per day
- Therms per window
- Dollars per square foot
- kBtu per square foot per year (Correct answer)
Correct answer: kBtu per square foot per year
EUI normalizes annual energy use by floor area, commonly in kBtu/sf/yr.
Question 3: Which protocol is widely used to measure and verify energy savings from building performance improvements?
- IPMVP (Correct answer)
- OSHA 1926
- AIA A201
- MasterFormat
Correct answer: IPMVP
The International Performance Measurement and Verification Protocol provides standard M&V options.
Question 4: Combining daylighting design with photosensor-controlled dimming primarily achieves what?
- Higher water savings
- Reduced construction waste
- Lower lighting energy use while maintaining visual comfort (Correct answer)
- Improved seismic performance
Correct answer: Lower lighting energy use while maintaining visual comfort
Daylight harvesting dims electric lights when natural light is sufficient, cutting energy use.
Question 5: Specifying EPA WaterSense-labeled fixtures primarily supports which sustainability category?
- Indoor water use reduction (Correct answer)
- Energy and atmosphere
- Materials and resources
- Location and transportation
Correct answer: Indoor water use reduction
WaterSense products meet EPA criteria for efficiency, reducing indoor potable water use.
Question 6: How does a design-build-operate-maintain (DBOM) delivery model strengthen sustainability outcomes?
- It shifts all operating costs to the design-builder's designers only
- It gives the same entity long-term accountability for operational performance, incentivizing lifecycle-efficient design (Correct answer)
- It eliminates the need for commissioning
- It guarantees LEED Platinum
Correct answer: It gives the same entity long-term accountability for operational performance, incentivizing lifecycle-efficient design
When the builder also operates the facility, it benefits directly from efficient, durable design choices.
Question 7: In ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, what minimum score generally makes a building eligible for ENERGY STAR certification?
- 50
- 60
- 90
- 75 (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 75
A score of 75 or higher means the building performs better than 75% of similar buildings nationwide.
