Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Changed LEED-AP-O+M Questions

Buildings account for 40% of total energy use in the U.S., according to the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency1.This is consistent with the global estimate by the International Energy Agency, which states that buildings and construction sector accounted for 36% of final energy use in 20182.

References: =LEED AP O+M Exam Guide, page 305;LEED v4.1 O+M Reference Guide, page 97.

Buildings are one of the primary consumers of energy worldwide, and they account for a significant percentage of total energy use. The correct percentage is 40%, which encompasses energy used for heating, cooling, lighting, and operating buildings. This figure reflects the extensive impact that building design, construction, and operations have on energy consumption and the potential for energy savings in this sector.

References:

• The figure that buildings account for 40% of total energy use is a commonly cited statistic in the field of sustainability and is mentioned in LEED training materials and documentation. It is a crucial factor that drives the Energy and Atmosphere (EA) category within the LEED rating systems, pushing for strategies that reduce energy consumption and improve building energy performance.

The calculation used to achieve the Materials and Resources Credit, Purchasing - Ongoing, focuses on the cost of compliant furniture. This approach aligns with the intent of the credit, which is to encourage the purchase of sustainable and environmentally friendly products. By assessing the cost of compliant furniture, the credit incentivizes the selection of products that meet specific environmental criteria, thereby contributing to a more sustainable procurement practice.

This answer is correct because it follows the guidance provided by the LEED v4.1 O+M Reference Guide for dealing with nonparticipating tenants in multi-tenant buildings. The guide states that if a tenant is unwilling or unable to provide their purchasing data, the project team must integrate the estimated data from the nonparticipating tenant into the whole-building purchasing data to determine compliance for the whole building.The guide also states that the tenant’s purchasing is assumed to be 50% compliant toward the sustainability criteria, unless the project team has a more accurate estimate1. The other options are incorrect because they either make the credit impossible or too easy to achieve, or they do not account for the tenant’s purchasing at all.

References: =LEED v4.1 OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE - WAP Sustainability Consulting, page 40;LEED v4: Building Operations + Maintenance Guide | U.S. Green Building Council, page 40.

An integrative approach is most important for achieving economic and environmental performance in a LEED project. This strategy involves collaboration among all stakeholders from the project’s inception through its operation, ensuring that sustainability goals are woven into every aspect of the project.

References: The integrative process is a fundamental principle of LEED, emphasizing the importance of early and continuous collaboration for sustainable design and construction.It is highlighted in the LEED v4 guidelines as a key to achieving high performance in both economic and environmental aspects1234.

The most important strategy for achieving economic and environmental performance in a LEED project is to take an integrative approach. This approach involves collaborative, multidisciplinary teamwork from the project's inception through its operation. It emphasizes the importance of considering all aspects of building design, construction, and operation holistically to achieve sustainability goals effectively and efficiently.