Learn about effective design strategies to reduce energy demand in green buildings, a key concept for the USGBC LEED Green Associate Certification Exam. Discover best practices to create energy-efficient, sustainable built environments.
Table of Contents
Question
Which of the following is a design and planning strategy for reducing energy demand?
A. Increase outdoor air ventilation
B. Size the building appropriately
C. Extend equipment warranty periods
D. Maximize thermal bridging
Answer
B. Size the building appropriately
Explanation
Sizing the building appropriately means designing the building to meet the needs and expectations of the occupants, without creating excess space that would require more energy to heat, cool, and light. This strategy reduces the energy demand of the building and also saves on construction costs and materials.
Appropriately sizing a building is an important design and planning strategy for reducing energy demand. When a building is properly sized for its intended use and occupancy, it avoids wasted space and minimizes the energy required for heating, cooling, lighting, and other building systems.
Oversized buildings have more space to condition and require larger HVAC systems, leading to increased energy consumption. On the other hand, undersized buildings may not meet the needs of occupants and can lead to uncomfortable conditions or the need for future expansions, which also increases energy use.
By carefully considering factors such as occupancy patterns, space requirements, and energy efficiency during the design phase, project teams can optimize building size to reduce overall energy demand.
The other options listed are not effective strategies for reducing energy demand:
A. Increasing outdoor air ventilation would actually increase energy use by requiring more air to be conditioned.
C. Extending equipment warranty periods does not directly impact energy efficiency.
D. Maximizing thermal bridging would increase heat transfer and energy loss, rather than reducing energy demand.
In summary, appropriately sizing a building is a key design strategy for creating energy-efficient, sustainable built environments and reducing overall energy demand.
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.