Question 1

What does the Energy and Atmosphere (EA) Prerequisite: Fundamental Commissioning and Verification require?

Accepted Answer

Fundamental Commissioning requires a systematic process to verify that the Owner's Project Requirements (OPR) are met by the design and construction. It applies to HVAC, lighting controls, hot water, and renewable energy systems. Commissioning ensures systems perform as intended.

Question 2

Which ASHRAE standard is referenced in LEED's Energy and Atmosphere prerequisite for minimum energy performance?

Accepted Answer

ASHRAE 90.1 (Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings) is the baseline energy standard referenced in LEED. Projects must demonstrate a certain percentage improvement over this baseline. The referenced edition depends on the LEED version (v4 uses ASHRAE 90.1-2010).

Question 3

What does the term 'energy use intensity' (EUI) measure?

Accepted Answer

Energy Use Intensity (EUI) = annual energy use ÷ gross floor area, expressed as kBtu/sq ft/year (IP) or kWh/m²/year (SI). Lower EUI indicates better energy performance. EUI is used to benchmark and compare building energy performance across building types and climates.

Question 4

What type of refrigerant is LEED's Enhanced Refrigerant Management credit designed to reduce or eliminate?

Accepted Answer

The LEED Enhanced Refrigerant Management credit aims to reduce or eliminate the use of refrigerants with high ozone depletion potential (ODP) and global warming potential (GWP), such as HCFCs and HFCs. Preferred refrigerants include low-GWP alternatives and natural refrigerants.

Question 5

A building generates more energy on-site than it consumes annually. What is this called?

Accepted Answer

A building that generates more energy than it consumes over the course of a year is net positive energy. A net-zero energy building produces exactly what it consumes. LEED's EA credit for renewable energy can award points for on-site or off-site renewable energy generation.

Question 6

ASHRAE 90.1 serves as the energy performance baseline for LEED EA credits. What does ASHRAE 90.1 establish?

Accepted Answer

ASHRAE 90.1 (Energy Standard for Sites and Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings) sets minimum energy performance requirements for commercial buildings. LEED requires buildings to meet or exceed ASHRAE 90.1 as a prerequisite, then awards credits for percentage improvement beyond the baseline.

Question 7

Which LEED EA strategy involves a systematic process to verify that building energy systems are installed and operating as designed?

Accepted Answer

Commissioning (Cx) is a quality assurance process verifying that building systems (HVAC, lighting, controls, plumbing, etc.) are designed, installed, and operating per the Owner's Project Requirements (OPR). Fundamental Commissioning is a LEED prerequisite; Enhanced Commissioning earns additional credits.

Question 8

On-site renewable energy (e.g., solar PV) earns LEED EA credits by:

Accepted Answer

LEED's Renewable Energy Production credit awards points for producing renewable energy on-site (solar, wind, geothermal) proportional to total building energy consumption. Renewable energy reduces grid dependence and associated GHG emissions — a core LEED goal.

Question 9

Building energy modeling (BEM) in LEED is used to:

Accepted Answer

Energy modeling simulates a building's annual energy performance using climate data, occupancy schedules, systems specifications, and envelope properties. It compares the proposed design to a code-minimum baseline (per ASHRAE 90.1 Appendix G) to quantify % energy savings for EA credits.

Question 10

Demand response programs earn LEED EA credits by:

Accepted Answer

Demand response participation allows buildings to temporarily reduce electrical load (e.g., by adjusting HVAC setpoints or dimming lighting) when the grid is stressed. LEED rewards this for its grid reliability and emissions benefits — peak demand often relies on the most polluting 'peaker' power plants.

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