USGBC Updated LEED-Green-Associate Exam Questions and Answers by koby

Designers and builders can construct a green building that uses significantly less water than a conventional building by incorporating native plant landscapes. Native plant landscapes are plants that are adapted to the local climate and soil conditions, and require little or no irrigation, fertilization, or pesticides. They also provide habitat for wildlife, reduce stormwater runoff, and enhance the aesthetic value of the site. The LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook states that one of the intents of the Sustainable Sites category is to “conserve water by using native or adapted plants” [1, p. 13]. References: [LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook], [Native Plants | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]

Air movement is a factor that affects the thermal comfort of occupants, as it influences the heat exchange between the human body and the surrounding air1. Air movement can be controlled by mechanical systems, such as fans, or natural systems, such as operable windows2. LEED v4 requires that at least 50% of individual occupant spaces have thermal comfort controls that allow occupants to adjust air movement in their local environment3.

References: 1 LEED (BD+C)- Indoor Environmental Quality Credit: Thermal comfort2 Get to Know LEED®: How to Provide Thermal Comfort in a LEED for Homes … 3 CI-v4.1 EQc5: Thermal comfort | LEEDuser.

The Energy Policy Act (EPACT) of 1992 set standards for indoor water fixtures like toilets and faucets, which are used as a baseline for determining water savings in LEED projects. The 2005 amendment to the EPACT further updated these standards. References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources

Offering financial incentives is a strategy that can be used to address transportation in operation and maintenance under the Location and Transportation (LT) category. The LT category addresses the location and accessibility of a project site, as well as its impacts on transportation, land use, and community connectivity. One of the credits in this category is LT Credit: Alternative Transportation - Transportation Demand Management, which rewards projects that implement programs or policies that reduce single-occupancy vehicle trips and encourage alternative transportation modes, such as public transit, carpooling, biking, or walking. Offering financial incentives is one example of such a program or policy, which can provide benefits or rewards for the employees or tenants who use alternative transportation modes, such as subsidies, vouchers, discounts, prizes, recognition, or preferential parking1 . References: LEED v4 Green Associate Candidate Handbook1, LEED v4 O+M Reference Guide