Energy and Atmosphere

Eligible Renewable Energy Sources:

- Electrical Systems: Photovoltaic (PV), wind, low‐ impact hydro, wave, tidal, and certain bio‐fuel based electrical production systems (see Table 3). These systems have to be deployed at the project site. - Geothermal Energy Systems: Geothermal energy systems using deep‐earth water or steam sources (and not using vapor compression systems for heat transfer). NOTE: geo-thermal or groundsource heat pumps DO NOT COUNT (use vapor compression systems) - Solar Thermal Systems: Active solar thermal energy systems such as a hot water tank are eligible for this credit.

Process energy

- generally comes from equipment plugged into a wall outlet (has a plug load) ex. computers, office equipment, kitchen stoves, refrigerators, washers, dryers, ELEVATORS, ESCALATORS (don't have a plug but are considered process energy)

Total points in Energy and Atmosphere?

33 Points

Carbon Offsets

A unit of carbon dioxide equivalent that is reduced, avoided, or sequestered to compensate for emissions occurring elsewhere

Which projects would NOT be eligible for LEED certification? (Choose 2) A. A new building project that uses CFC-based refrigerants B. A new building project that uses no refrigerants C. An existing building project that uses CFC-based refrigerants without having a CFC phase-out plan D. A new building project that uses hydrocarbons (HCs) as refrigerants E. An existing building project that phases out the use of CFC-based refrigerants no later than 5 years after the project is completed

A. A new building project that uses CFC-based refrigerants C. An existing building project that uses CFC-based refrigerants without having a CFC phase-out plan

Green building practices encourage commissioning agents to be: A. An independent contractor hired directly by the owner. B. Hired directly by the mechanical subcontractor. C. Typically members of the design team. D. Hired at the completion of the project.

A. An independent contractor hired directly by the owner.

Which of the following could be a source of onsite renewable energy? (select 3): A. Bio‐fuel made from agricultural waste B. Trees cut from a forest C. Wood chips left over from a mill D. Low‐impact hydroelectric E. Burning trash

A. Bio‐fuel made from agricultural waste C. Wood chips left over from a mill D. Low‐impact hydroelectric

Which of the following is true for projects using both electricity and natural gas energy inputs? (select 2) A. Both gas and electric use must be considered when attempting Green Power. B. Gas use is not considered for Green Power. C. Electric use must be higher than gas use, by cost, to qualify for Green Power D. The project must purchase green power, carbon offsets, or RECs to earn Green Power.

A. Both gas and electric use must be considered when attempting Green Power. D. The project must purchase green power, carbon offsets, or RECs to earn Green Power.

Once occupants are in a building, how can the project team maintain ongoing energy efficiency? (Choose 2) A. By retrocommissioning B. By monitoring building automation systems C. By purchasing Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) D. By comparing the performance against ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager

A. By retrocommissioning B. By monitoring building automation systems

What project areas would you find CFCs used in? (Choose 2) A. Centrifugal chillers B. Hot water heating C. Radiant flooring D. Refrigeration

A. Centrifugal chillers D. Refrigeration

What process uses heat recovery to capture heat from the process of generating electricity and then turns the recovered heat into thermal energy that can be used to heat a building? A. Cogeneration B. Commissioning C. Tertiary treatment D. Evapotranspiration

A. Cogeneration

Which two of the following are most clearly associated with thermal loads and energy consumption in large, core load-dominated, high-rise office buildings? (Choose two.) A. Electric lighting, occupants, and office equipment B. Insufficient roof insulation C. Winter heat loss through the building envelope D. Cooling system operation to remove excess heat from the building interior E. Part-load operation

A. Electric lighting, occupants, and office equipment D. Cooling system operation to remove excess heat from the building interior

A building automation system will assist with collecting data about which of the following: A. Energy spikes that occur every morning B. Complaints from occupants about a loud fan noise in a conference room C. Maintenance schedule for replacing air filters D. Cleanliness of restrooms

A. Energy spikes that occur every morning

Which of the following can not be used to achieve Green Power? (Choose one) A. High-impact Hydropower B. Low-impact Hydropower C. Wind power D. Solar Energy E. Biomass F. Geothermal

A. High-impact Hydropower

Developing nations banned ChloroFluoroCarbons (CFCs) under the: A. Montreal Protocol B. EPA Clean Air Act C. Kyoto Treaty D. Executive Order 95-231

A. Montreal Protocol

Basis of Design is an important part of the commissioning process. At a minimum, which items must be included in the BOD? Choose 3 A. Narrative descriptions of systems B. Number of LEED APs on the design team C. Architectural drawings of system locations D. Primary design assumptions E. Standards including applicable codes, guidelines, etc.

A. Narrative descriptions of systems D. Primary design assumptions E. Standards including applicable codes, guidelines, etc.

A school building consumes electricity from the grid at night while contributing energy back to the grid during the day from on-site solar panels, resulting in the school having no electricity costs. This is an example of: A. Net-zero energy B. Zero waste C. Water balance D. Carbon neutrality

A. Net-zero energy

Which of the following is a design strategy for renewable energy? (Choose two) A. Photovoltaics B. Solar hot water heating C. Orientation of the building D. Ground source heat pumps

A. Photovoltaics B. Solar hot water heating

What are some strategies to increase energy performance for EA Credit 1? Choose 2 A. Reduce demand by optimizing the building orientation B. Purchase Green Power on a two year contract C. Use ventilation cooling for space conditioning D. Install monitoring on all major systems

A. Reduce demand by optimizing the building orientation C. Use ventilation cooling for space conditioning

Which of the following is a benefit of a building owner choosing to install a wind turbine on site to reduce the building's use of grid-source nonrenewable energy? A. Reduced greenhouse gas emissions B. Heat island reduction C. Decreased up-front building costs D. Lower liabilities

A. Reduced greenhouse gas emissions

What environmental issue is associated with the burning of fossil fuels? A. Release of carbon dioxide B. Reduction of water from aquifers C. Interference with migratory birds D. Sedimentation of water supplies

A. Release of carbon dioxide

In US commercial buildings, on average which end use consumes the most energy? A. Space heating B. Lighting C. Cooling D. Ventilation

A. Space heating

What renewable energy systems are not eligible for EA Credit 2 On‐Site Renewable Energy? Choose 2 A. Tradable Renewable Certificates B. Active solar thermal C. Bio‐fuel D. Passive solar architectural features E. Tidal system

A. Tradable Renewable Certificates D. Passive solar architectural features

Commissioning is the process of ____________ that a building's systems and assemblies are planned, designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained to meet the owner's project requirements. A. verifying and documenting B. operations and maintenance C. verifying D. calibrating E. the performance

A. verifying and documenting

Standard for Energy Performance?

ASHRAE standard 90.1.2010 - establishes min. requirements for energy-efficient design of buildings, except low-rise residential buildings

Fundamental Refrigerant Management involves which three of the following? (Choose three.) A. Fan motors and variable frequency drives for ventilation air handlers B. Base building air conditioning systems C. Boilers for heating systems D. Reuse of existing HVAC&R systems E. Elimination of substances with high ozone-depleting potential from use in building systems F. Elimination of all substances with global-warming or ozone-depleting potential from building systems

B. Base building air conditioning systems D. Reuse of existing HVAC&R systems E. Elimination of substances with high ozone-depleting potential from use in building systems

A developer is building a medical park that will have ten buildings for doctors' offices. Which of the following is a strategy for achieving energy efficiency? A. Siting the buildings close to each other B. Building a district heating and cooling system C. Installing a community solar garden D. Purchasing carbon offsets

B. Building a district heating and cooling system

Which three of the following could contribute to earning Renewable Energy Production Credits? (Choose three.) A. Passive solar design features that capture measurable winter heating energy from the sun B. Building-integrated photovoltaic solar panels that provide electricity to the building C. A wind farm located within 50 miles of the project and owned and operated by the local utility provider D. A heat pump that extracts heat from the ground in the winter and uses it as a heat sink in the summer E. Active solar-thermal collectors as a means of heating service hot water F. An on-site electric generator powered by geothermal energy

B. Building-integrated photovoltaic solar panels that provide electricity to the building E. Active solar-thermal collectors as a means of heating service hot water F. An on-site electric generator powered by geothermal energy

Which of the following statements are true (select 2): A. CFC's are naturally occurring B. CFC's are man‐made C. Existing systems are exempt from the prerequisite D. Fundamental Refrigerant Management is most concerned with global warming E. Fundamental Refrigerant Management is most concerned with ozone depletion

B. CFC's are man‐made E. Fundamental Refrigerant Management is most concerned with ozone depletion

Which of the following has the greatest direct impact on global warming? A. SRI of a building's roof B. HVAC operating efficiency C. Building orientation D. Size of a project's impermeable areas

B. HVAC operating efficiency

What environmental issue is associated with refrigerants used in HVAC&R systems? A. Soil contamination B. Increasing greenhouse gas emissions C. Groundwater contamination D. Increased CO2 indoors

B. Increasing greenhouse gas emissions

A building owner wants to increase efficiency to lower the operating costs of a new building project. What strategy would help with this goal? A. Install triple-paned glass windows instead of double-paned glass windows B. Install all LED lighting C. Install a photovoltaic system on the roof D. Provide daylighting

B. Install all LED lighting

Which of the following are non-regulated or "process" energy systems? (Choose three.) A. HVAC fans and pumps B. Office equipment such as computers and copy machines C. Interior lighting D. Laundry washing and drying E. Elevators and escalators F. Service hot water

B. Office equipment such as computers and copy machines D. Laundry washing and drying E. Elevators and escalators

Which three of the following activities in the commissioning process are only applicable to EA Credit Enhanced Commissioning? (Choose 3.) A. Incorporate commissioning requirements into the construction documents B. Prepare for a review of building operation within 10 months of substantial completion C. Create a systems manual for future operating staff D. Complete a summary commissioning report E. Review the OPR and BOD for quality and completeness F. Verify operator and occupant training delivery and effectiveness

B. Prepare for a review of building operation within 10 months of substantial completion C. Create a systems manual for future operating staff F. Verify operator and occupant training delivery and effectiveness

What is the most common way to meet the requirements of off-site renewable energy? A. Directly purchasing green power from local utility companies B. Purchasing Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) C. Obtaining energy from a geothermal system D. Installing a rooftop photovoltaic array

B. Purchasing Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)

Commissioning of a building is intended to verify the building and its systems meet which of the following: A. HVAC specifications B. The owner's project requirements C. Occupant preferences D. Local building code

B. The owner's project requirements

Which two of the following are appropriate statements with regard to commissioning in the context of green building and EA Prerequisite Fundamental Commissioning and verification? (Choose two.) A. To be effective, the commissioning authority should be a principal member of the design team that is directly responsible for the project design or construction management. B. To be effective, the commissioning authority should be independent from those individuals that are directly responsible for project design or construction management (preferably from a separate firm). C. The commissioning authority is responsible for verifying the performance of building systems and equipment prior to installation. D. The commissioning authority is responsible for verifying the performance of building systems and equipment after installation.

B. To be effective, the commissioning authority should be independent from those individuals that are directly responsible for project design or construction management (preferably from a separate firm). D. The commissioning authority is responsible for verifying the performance of building systems and equipment after installation.

What is the median payback period for the commissioning of existing buildings? A. 1 year B. 2.8 years C. 0.7 years D. 1.5 years

C. 0.7 years

What year does the Montreal Protocol phase out HCFCs? A. 1995 B. 2015 C. 2030 D. 2020

C. 2030

What does a carbon offset represent? A. A tradable commodity representing proof that a unit of electricity was generated from a renewable resource B. The primary measure of energy consumption associated with buildings C. A unit of carbon dioxide equivalent that is reduced, avoided, or sequestered to compensate for emissions occurring elsewhere. D. The energy consumption divided by the number of square feet in a building

C. A unit of carbon dioxide equivalent that is reduced, avoided, or sequestered to compensate for emissions occurring elsewhere.

After a building is completed and occupied, how can energy demand be reduced? A. By encouraging occupants to stagger work hours B. By purchasing environmentally preferable cleaning supplies C. By opening and closing shades to control solar energy D. By conducting routine waste audits

C. By opening and closing shades to control solar energy

A project is trying to achieve EA Prerequisite: Fundamental Cx and Verification and EA Credit: Enhanced Cx. Which person(s) is responsible for verifying the installation and performance of commissioned systems? A. Owner B. Project Team and Commissioning Authority C. Commissioning Authority D. Owner or Project Team E. Contractor F. Design Team

C. Commissioning Authority

What helps utilities optimize their supply-side energy generation and delivery systems? A. Building submetering B. Daylighting automation systems C. Customers that enroll in a demand response program D. Building owners that purchase carbon offsets

C. Customers that enroll in a demand response program (Demand response = provides an opportunity for consumers to play a significant role in the operation of the electric grid by reducing or shifting their electricity usage during peak periods in response to time-based rates or other forms of financial incentives.)

During fundamental commissioning, Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite 1, who is in charge of developing the Basis of Design? A. Owner and Commissioning Authority B. Project Team C. Design Team D. Owner E. Commissioning Authority

C. Design Team

ASHRAE standard 90.1-2010 is primarily concerned with? A. Lighting design B. Ventilation effectiveness C. Energy consumption D. Ozone depletion

C. Energy consumption

The engineer on a class-A 200,000-sf office tower project in a hot, humid climate has proposed a co-generation system that would burn natural gas to provide electricity, cooling, heating, hot water, and dehumidification of outside air. She has projected that the gas-turbine powered electric generator will supply more than half of the building's electrical energy in an average year. The waste heat from the turbine exhaust will be used to drive an absorption chiller for cooling the building without the use of CFCs or HCFCs. This waste heat will also be used to dry the desiccant wheel that will dehumidify outside air, thus dramatically reducing cooling loads. To which two of the following LEED Credits might these strategies contribute? (Choose two.) A. Enhanced Commissioning B. On-Site Renewable Energy C. Enhanced Refrigerant Management D. Green Power E. Optimize Energy Performance

C. Enhanced Refrigerant Management E. Optimize Energy Performance

To qualify for LEED, carbon offsets must be which of the following? A. ENERGY STAR labeled B. Purchased and used within the same state or locale C. Green-e Climate certified (or equivalent) D. Green-e Energy certified (or equivalent)

C. Green-e Climate certified (or equivalent)

Which refrigerant has the lowest Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) A. Halon B. CFC C. HFC D. HCFC

C. HFC

On a project with an older existing HVAC&R system that uses CFCs, what can the project team do to earn LEED certification? A. Eliminate all refrigerant leaks B. Get a state exemption for the HVAC&R system C. Make a phase out plan for the removal of the CFC based refrigerants D. Recharge the equipment with CFCs

C. Make a phase out plan for the removal of the CFC based refrigerants

Fluorescent lights with electronic ballasts pertains to which category: A. Renewable Energy B. Refrigerant Management C. Optimize Energy Performance

C. Optimize Energy Performance

Which of the following are benefits of Demand Response? (select 2) A. It enables commissioning of the building energy systems B. Owners can use the data to correct operating inefficiencies C. Projects can reduce their energy costs D. Projects can reduce their labor costs E. Reduced reliance on fossil fuels

C. Projects can reduce their energy costs E. Reduced reliance on fossil fuels

With regards to refrigerants what is a natural conflict between the prevention of ozone depletion and global warming? A. Refrigerants that deplete the ozone layer are less efficient B. Refrigerants contain global warming gases C. Refrigerants that are neutral to the ozone layer are less efficient D. Refrigerants contain ozone layer gases

C. Refrigerants that are neutral to the ozone layer are less efficient

Fundamental and enhanced commissioning differ in several ways. Select the additional tasks that the commissioning authority will perform to achieve enhanced commissioning. Choose 2 A. Verify installation and performance of systems B. Develop Basis of Design C. Review building operation within 10 months after substantial completion D. Document Owners Project Requirements E. Review Contractor Submittals F. Complete summary commissioning report

C. Review building operation within 10 months after substantial completion E. Review Contractor Submittals

Components of the building envelope that would be included in the energy model (select 3): A. Trim B. Water closets C. Roof D. Spray foam insulation E. Windows

C. Roof D. Spray foam insulation E. Windows

Energy use data over time can assist in the identification of which following issues? (select 2): A. Structural deficiencies B. Water intrusion C. Solar panel failure D. Boiler malfunction E. Rodent infestation

C. Solar panel failure D. Boiler malfunction

What does a REC represent? (Bonus: What does it stand for?) A. The amount of energy an electricity provider purchases from renewable sources B. The amount of energy purchased from a Green-e supplier C. The environmental, social, and other positive attributes of power generated by renewable resources D. The quantity of fossil fuels avoided by purchasing renewable energy, expressed in tons

C. The environmental, social, and other positive attributes of power generated by renewable resource BONUS: Renewable Energy Certificate

What is the primary intent of EA Credit Green Power and Carbon offsets? A. Minimize production of greenhouse gases through implementation of on-site renewable energy B. Prevent transmission losses associated with grid-connected renewable energy sources C. To encourage the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through the use of grid-source, renewable energy technologies and carbon mitigation projects D. Foster the development of an international carbon trading system for utility power companies

C. To encourage the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions through the use of grid-source, renewable energy technologies and carbon mitigation projects

Which strategy will contribute to earning points for both Optimize Energy Performance and On-Site Renewable Energy? A. utilize ground source heat pumps for heating and cooling B. implement architectural passive solar and daylighting strategies C. install active solar thermal energy systems that employ collection panels D. purchase tradable renewable energy certificates

C. install active solar thermal energy systems that employ collection panels

Which two of the following are considered appropriate strategies for achieving Enhanced Refrigerant Management? (Choose two) A. use low or zero ODP equipment in your building B. use a bio-fuel boiler C. use low or zero mercury in the florescent lights D. have a naturally cooled building (high thermal mass, naturally ventilated, etc.) E. use photovoltaics on your roof

C. use low or zero mercury in the florescent lights D. have a naturally cooled building (high thermal mass, naturally ventilated, etc.)

Cogeneration

Combined heat and power (CHP) is an electricity generation technology, also known as cogeneration, which recovers waste heat from the electric generation process to produce simultaneously other forms of useful energy, such as usable heat or steam.

EA Prerequisite ‐ Minimum Energy Performance uses which standard? A. EPA Act of 1992 B. ASHRAE 62.1 C. ANSI/ASTM ‐ E779‐03 D. ASHRAE 90.1

D. ASHRAE 90.1

What does the Montreal Protocol ban? A. Coal-fired power plants B. Mercury in light bulbs C. Incandescent light bulbs D. CFCs

D. CFCs

What has a long atmospheric life that causes harm to the ozone layer? A. NH3 B. HCFCs C. HCs D. CFCs

D. CFCs

Which of the following would require use of the EPA's ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager? A. Calculating a building's minimum energy use B. Registering a large volume of LEED projects C. Bulk uploading project information into LEED online D. Comparing the ongoing operating performance of a building with its intended design performance

D. Comparing the ongoing operating performance of a building with its intended design performance

One way to reduce a building's energy load is to do which of the following? A. Increase the size of the building B. Site the building far away from adjacent buildings C. Reduce a building's thermal mass D. Configure the building to minimize solar gain in summer and maximize it in winter

D. Configure the building to minimize solar gain in summer and maximize it in winter

A project team is reviewing strategies to increase energy efficiency. Which of the following will help reduce plug-load demands? A. Efficient street lighting B. Computer modeling C. High-performance glazing D. Installing appliances that meet or exceed ENERGY STAR requirements

D. Installing appliances that meet or exceed ENERGY STAR requirements

Using passive strategies such as daylighting is an example of which of the following: A. Renewable energy practice B. Increasing energy efficiency C. Energy performance management D. Reducing energy demand

D. Reducing energy demand (Daylighting = practice of using windows or other openings and/or reflective surfaces to harness natural lighting for effective internal illumination)

Enhanced Refrigerant Management, sets a maximum threshold for what environmental impact of the built environment? (Choose 1.) A. Chlorofluorocarbons B. Ozone depletion C. Global warming potential D. The combination of ozone depletion and global warming potential E. The combination of chlorofluorocarbons and ozone depletion

D. The combination of ozone depletion and global warming potential

The major intent of Enhanced refrigerant management, is to: (Choose one) A. prevent building occupants from inhaling ozone. B. prevent building fires C. reduce the leakage of ozone from chillers D. protects the ultra-voilet absorption layer in the upper atmosphere

D. protects the ultra-voilet absorption layer in the upper atmosphere

Online tool to track energy and water consumption and greenhouse gas emissions?

ENERGY STAR Porfolio Manager

EUI

Energy Use Intensity - unit that expresses a building's energy use as a function of its size or other characteristics.

net-zero energy (NZE)

building is one that relies on renewable sources to produce as much energy as it uses (usually measured over a year)

District energy system (DES)

central energy conversion plant and transmission and distribution system that provides thermal energy to a group of buildings

Building Automation system (BAS)

collect data about a building's systems and track it over time data can find trends or anomalies (can fix/update the systems)

Retrocommisioing

commissioning process that can be performed on existing buildings to identify and recognize system improvements that make the building more suitable for current use

Commissioning (Cx) Plan

document that outlines the organization, schedule, allocation of resources, and documentation requirements of the commissioning process

What is commisioning?

process of verifying and documenting that a building and all of its systems and assemblies are planned, designed, installed, tested, operate and maintained to meet the OWNER'S PROJECT REQUIREMENTS (OPR)

Net metering

selling excess electricity back to the grid

VFD (variable frequency drive)

system for controlling the rotational speed of an alternating current (AC) electric motor by controlling the frequency of the electrical power supplied to the motor

Basis of Design (BOD)

written document that includes design information necessary to accomplish the OPR