Ace Your LEED-Green-Associate Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Exam

The Promote Sustainable and Regenerative Material Resource Cycles impact category in LEED encourages the use of materials that can be continually cycled back into the same system at their end-of-life. This is referred to as moving to cyclical, non-depleting material cycles. It promotes the use of renewable or recyclable materials and reduces waste. References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources

Covering duct work with plastic is a strategy for improving indoor environmental quality during construction. Covering duct work with plastic prevents dust, debris, and contaminants from entering the ducts and affecting the air quality of the building. This also reduces the need for cleaning and maintenance of the ducts after construction. The LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook states that one of the strategies for achieving indoor environmental quality is to “protect ducts during construction by sealing or covering with plastic” [1, p. 16]. References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, [Indoor Air Quality During Construction | U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]

The USGBC administers the LEED credentialing programs, which include the LEED Green Associate and the LEED AP with specialty credentials. The USGBC does not administer the LEED exams, the LEED rating systems development, or the LEED project certification.

The LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook states that “The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) administers the LEED credentialing programs related to green building practice” 1, page 3.

The same handbook also states that “The Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) administers the LEED professional credential exams” 1, page 3.

The LEED AP with Specialty Candidate Handbook states that “The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is responsible for the development of the LEED rating systems” 2, page 3.

The same handbook also states that “The Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) administers project certification for all commercial and institutional projects pursuing LEED certification under any of the current rating systems” 2, page 3.

Maximizing daylighting opportunities with properly sized and oriented windows can significantly reduce a building’s energy use. By allowing more natural light into the building, the need for artificial lighting can be reduced, which in turn reduces electricity consumption. Additionally, if windows are properly oriented, they can also help with passive heating and cooling, further reducing energy use. References: LEED Green Associate Candidate Handbook, U.S. Green Building Council resources