Discover how the strategic combination of daylighting and natural ventilation in building design can significantly reduce energy consumption while improving occupant comfort and well-being. Learn about this key concept for the USGBC LEED Green Associate certification exam.
Table of Contents
Question
Which of the following strategies, when designed together, can save energy and improve occupant experience?
A. Daylighting and natural ventilation
B. Thermal comfort and water meters
C. Energy metering and thermal comfort
D. Ventilation and carbon monoxide monitoring
Answer
A. Daylighting and natural ventilation
Explanation
Daylighting and natural ventilation are strategies that can be used together to save energy and improve occupant experience in a building. Daylighting uses natural light to illuminate the interior spaces of a building, reducing the need for artificial lighting and improving the visual comfort and well-being of the occupants.
Natural ventilation uses outdoor air to provide fresh air and cooling to a building, reducing the need for mechanical ventilation and air conditioning and improving the indoor air quality and thermal comfort of the occupants.
Daylighting and natural ventilation, when designed together, can create a synergistic effect that both saves energy and enhances the occupant experience in a building.
Daylighting involves the strategic use of windows, skylights, and reflective surfaces to bring natural light into a space, reducing the need for artificial lighting during daytime hours. This not only saves energy by minimizing the use of electric lights but also provides a connection to the outdoors and has been shown to boost occupant mood, productivity, and well-being.
Natural ventilation refers to the use of operable windows, vents, and other openings to allow fresh air to enter and circulate through a building. This strategy can reduce the reliance on mechanical ventilation systems, saving energy while providing occupants with fresh air and a more comfortable indoor environment.
When daylighting and natural ventilation are designed together, they can work in harmony to create a more pleasant and energy-efficient space. For example, operable windows can be strategically placed to maximize both daylight and fresh air flow, while sensors can be used to automatically adjust artificial lighting based on the amount of natural light available.
The other options, while important considerations in green building design, do not have the same direct and complementary relationship as daylighting and natural ventilation when it comes to saving energy and improving occupant experience.
USGBC LEED Green Associate certification exam practice question and answer (Q&A) dump with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the USGBC LEED Green Associate exam and earn USGBC LEED Green Associate certification.