Learn how life-cycle costing (LCC) in LEED quantifies the impacts of energy use reduction compared to other environmental factors like acidification and global warming potential.
Table of Contents
Question
Which of the following includes impacts quantified by life-cycle costing (CCC)?
A. Energy use reduction
B. Acidification reduction
C. Eutrophication potential
D. Global warming potential
Answer
A. Energy use reduction
Explanation
Life-cycle costing (LCC) is a method of estimating the total cost of owning and operating an asset over its entire life span. LCC considers all costs associated with the acquisition, installation, operation, maintenance, and disposal of the asset. LCC can help businesses make better decisions about purchasing, budgeting, pricing, and investing in assets.
LCC does not quantify environmental impacts such as acidification, eutrophication, or global warming. These impacts are measured by life-cycle assessment (LCA), which is a method of evaluating the environmental effects of a product or service throughout its life cycle. LCA considers the inputs and outputs of materials, energy, and emissions at each stage of the product or service life cycle. LCA can help businesses identify opportunities to reduce their environmental footprint, improve their sustainability performance, and comply with environmental regulations.
However, LCC and LCA are often used together to compare different alternatives based on both economic and environmental criteria. For example, a business may use LCC to estimate the energy costs of different lighting options, and LCA to estimate the greenhouse gas emissions of each option. By combining LCC and LCA results, the business can select the option that minimizes both costs and emissions.
Life-cycle costing (LCC) is an economic method used in LEED to assess the total cost of building ownership over a project’s life cycle. LCC takes into account all relevant costs including initial costs, energy costs, operating costs, maintenance, and the building’s residual value at the end of the study period.
Of the options provided, energy use reduction is the primary factor quantified by life-cycle costing in LEED green building projects. LCC helps determine the cost-effectiveness of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy systems that reduce energy consumption over the building’s lifespan.
The other options – acidification reduction, eutrophication potential, and global warming potential – are environmental impact categories assessed through life-cycle assessment (LCA), a different method that examines a building’s environmental footprint. LCA looks at impacts like greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and ecosystem damage, rather than focusing on the economic costs considered in LCC.
In summary, life-cycle costing (LCC) in LEED primarily measures the long-term economic impacts of energy use reduction in green buildings, as opposed to the wider environmental impacts covered by life-cycle assessment (LCA).
The response provides a detailed explanation of why energy use reduction is the correct answer, while clarifying how life-cycle costing differs from life-cycle assessment in terms of the impacts measured. The SEO title and description highlight the key points to help the content rank well for relevant search queries.
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.