USGBC LEED-Green-Associate - LEED Green Associate GAFRE Exam (LEED GA)

Building orientation is the element of design that can be used to take advantage of natural ventilation, solar energy and daylight. Building orientation refers to the position and direction of a building in relation to the sun, wind, and other environmental factors. By orienting a building properly, it can maximize the benefits of passive design strategies such as daylighting, natural ventilation, and solar energy. For example, a building can be oriented to face the south or north in temperate climates to capture more sunlight for heating and lighting, or to face the east or west in hot climates to avoid excessive solar heat gain and glare. A building can also be oriented to align with the prevailing wind direction to enhance natural ventilation and cooling. Building orientation can also affect the shape, size, and placement of windows, doors, roofs, and other architectural elements that influence the performance and comfort of a building. References: Passive Design Strategies | Sustainability Workshop, section “Building Massing & Orientation”; Back to Basics: Natural Ventilation and its Use in Different Contexts | ArchDaily, section “Orientation”; Courtyard configuration to optimize shading, daylight and ventilation …, section “Introduction”

Access to quality transit is one of the criteria for the LEED v4 Location and Transportation category, which aims to reduce the environmental and human health impacts of transportation and promote sustainable site selection. By developing an urban site that is well-served by public transportation, the building owner can reduce the reliance on private vehicles, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and encourage alternative modes of travel123.

LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide1, page 25

LEED v4 Credit Tutorials: Location & Transportation (BD+C/ID+C)2

LEED v4 Q+A: Location and Transportation3

Climate change is weighted the most in the LEED rating systems because it is considered the most urgent and significant environmental challenge facing humanity. Climate change is caused by the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which trap heat and alter the global climate patterns. Climate change can have severe consequences for human health, biodiversity, water resources, food security, and social equity. LEED projects can help mitigate climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from building operations and materials, as well as enhancing resilience and adaptation to climate impacts. The LEED impact categories andpoint allocation process assigns 35% of the total points to climatechange. References: LEED v4 Impact Category and Point Allocation Process Overview2; LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide, Introduction, page 9

An office without transit access can substantially reduce its transportation impact if workers are able to walk from the office to basic services. Transportation impact is the effect of transportation activities on the environment, society, and economy. Transportation impact can include greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, noise pollution, energy consumption, land use, traffic congestion, infrastructure costs, and public health. Walking is a form of alternative transportation that can reduce transportation impact by using less energy, emitting less pollutants, occupying less space, and improving physical activity and well-being. If workers are able to walk from the office to basic services, such as retail, restaurants, banks, or post offices, they can reduce their vehicle miles traveled, fuel consumption, and parking demand1 . References: LEED v4 Green Associate Candidate Handbook1, EPA’s Transportation and Climate Change

Resource depletion is a major environmental concern related to energy use. The extraction and use of non-renewable energy resources (such as fossil fuels) can lead to their depletion over time. This is why strategies that reduce energy use or utilize renewable energy sources are important in green building practices. References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources

 In the commercial LEED rating systems, achieving 40-49 points will result in Silver level certification. The points are awarded based on how well the project meets various sustainability criteria set out in the LEED rating system. References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, space heating accounted for about 32% of energy use for all U.S. commercial buildings in 2018, followed by ventilation and lighting, each at about 10%1. Space heating is the largest single energy end use in U.S. office buildings as well2.

Use of energy in commercial buildings - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)1

DataTrends: Energy Use in Office Buildings | ENERGY STAR2

Xeriscaping is a landscaping practice that uses drought-tolerant native and adaptive plants to reduce water use and maintenance. Xeriscaping also incorporates other strategies such as mulching, efficient irrigation, soil improvement, and appropriate design and zoning. By using xeriscaping, projects can conserve water, protect natural habitats, reduce stormwater runoffand pollution, and enhance the aesthetic and ecological value of the site. References: LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, p. 123 1; [Xeriscape Colorado website]

Potable water is water that is suitable for drinking. Potable water meets or exceeds the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) drinking water quality standards and is free of contaminants that are harmful to human health. The other options are not suitable for drinking. Graywater is wastewater from sinks, showers, and laundry that can be reused for non-potable purposes such as toilet flushing and irrigation. Greenwater is rainwater that is collected and stored for non-potable uses. Stormwater is runoff from precipitation that can carry pollutants and sediments into waterways. References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, page 26; USGBC, [Water Efficiency], page 2.

An owner who wants to update the interior materials of the office while promoting a healthier indoor work environment using LEED strategies can specify low-emitting materials as one of the strategies to achieve this goal. Low-emitting materials are materials that have low or no emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or other pollutants into the indoor air. VOCsare organic chemicals that can evaporate or vaporize at room temperature and can adversely affect the indoor air quality (IAQ) of a building and the health, comfort, and productivity of the occupants. Some sources of VOCs in buildings are paints, coatings, adhesives, sealants, flooring, furniture, and cleaning products. Specifying low-emitting materials can reduce the exposure and risk of VOCs for the occupants and improve IAQ12. References: LEED v4 Green Associate Candidate Handbook1, LEED v4 BD+C Reference Guide2