LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certification) Energy and Atmosphere 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which LEED EA credit requires a project to commission systems beyond those required by Fundamental Commissioning?
- Enhanced Commissioning (Correct answer)
- Optimize Energy Performance
- Advanced Energy Metering
- Demand Response
Correct answer: Enhanced Commissioning
Enhanced Commissioning expands the scope to include the commissioning authority being involved before design documents are complete and after occupancy.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of the LEED EA Optimize Energy Performance credit?
- Reduce light pollution from building exteriors
- Achieve increasing levels of energy performance beyond the baseline code (Correct answer)
- Ensure renewable energy is purchased off-site
- Install sub-meters for all major energy systems
Correct answer: Achieve increasing levels of energy performance beyond the baseline code
Optimize Energy Performance rewards projects for exceeding baseline energy code performance through design and operational strategies.
Question 3: Under LEED v4, which energy modeling standard serves as the baseline for the Optimize Energy Performance credit in most commercial buildings?
- ASHRAE 90.1 (Correct answer)
- ASHRAE 55
- IECC 2015
- ASHRAE 62.1
Correct answer: ASHRAE 90.1
ASHRAE 90.1 is the energy efficiency standard used as the performance baseline for the LEED EA Optimize Energy Performance credit.
Question 4: A building owner wants to generate electricity on-site using solar panels. Which LEED EA credit would reward this?
- Renewable Energy Production (Correct answer)
- Green Power and Carbon Offsets
- Demand Response
- Optimize Energy Performance
Correct answer: Renewable Energy Production
The Renewable Energy Production credit rewards on-site generation of electricity from renewable sources such as solar panels.
Question 5: What does the LEED EA Demand Response credit primarily encourage buildings to do?
- Install battery storage for all renewable energy
- Participate in programs to reduce or shift electrical load during peak periods (Correct answer)
- Purchase renewable energy certificates on the open market
- Commission HVAC systems annually
Correct answer: Participate in programs to reduce or shift electrical load during peak periods
Demand Response encourages buildings to enroll in utility or grid programs that reduce or shift electrical load when the grid is stressed.
Question 6: Which of the following is a prerequisite under the LEED EA category?
- Renewable Energy Production
- Advanced Energy Metering
- Fundamental Commissioning and Verification (Correct answer)
- Demand Response
Correct answer: Fundamental Commissioning and Verification
Fundamental Commissioning and Verification is a mandatory prerequisite in the EA category, ensuring building systems perform as intended.
Question 7: A LEED project team is evaluating refrigerants for HVAC equipment. What is the primary environmental concern driving refrigerant selection in the EA category?
- First cost of refrigerant
- Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) (Correct answer)
- Refrigerant availability in local markets
- Compatibility with existing equipment
Correct answer: Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP)
LEED requires projects to minimize refrigerants' Global Warming Potential and Ozone Depletion Potential to limit climate and atmospheric harm.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certification) Energy and Atmosphere 2
Which LEED EA credit requires a project to commission systems beyond those required by Fundamental Commissioning?