Learn about the scope of the Energy and Atmosphere Credit category in LEED, which focuses on building energy loads, performance management, and environmental concerns.
Table of Contents
Question
Energy and Atmosphere Credit encompasses
A. site selection, site design and environmental concerns
B. integrative process, building loads and EQ
C. building loads, energy performance management and EQ
D. building loads, energy performance management and environmental concerns
Answer
D. building loads, energy performance management and environmental concerns
Explanation
The Energy and Atmosphere Credit in LEED encompasses building loads, energy performance management, and environmental quality (EQ). Building loads refer to the amount of energy consumed by a building’s systems, such as heating, cooling, lighting, and equipment.
The Energy and Atmosphere (EA) Credit category in LEED primarily addresses:
- Building Loads: EA credits incentivize strategies to reduce building energy loads, such as optimizing insulation, glazing, and HVAC systems to minimize heating and cooling demands.
- Energy Performance Management: Several EA credits focus on metering, monitoring, and managing building energy performance over time. This includes commissioning, measurement and verification, and optimizing energy performance.
- Environmental Concerns: EA credits promote the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and other negative environmental impacts associated with building energy use. This includes using renewable energy, reducing refrigerant impacts, and supporting the use of grid-source, renewable energy.
EA is one of the most heavily weighted credit categories in LEED, highlighting the importance of energy efficiency and reducing the environmental footprint of buildings. The other options listed are not accurate descriptions of the main scope and priorities of the EA credit category in LEED.
Energy performance management involves strategies to reduce energy consumption and improve efficiency. Environmental quality refers to the conditions inside the building, including air quality, thermal comfort, and access to daylight and views.
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