A building owner is considering the installation of a solar thermal panel on the roof of the building. The initial cost of the system is higher than a conventional natural gas system. Which of the following is true to make the renewable energy option economically feasible?
Answer(s): A
The renewable energy option is economically feasible if the present value of the utility cost savings over the lifetime of the system is greater than or equal to the present value of the higher initial cost of the system. This means that the system will pay for itself and generate net savings in the long run. The utility cost savings depend on the amount of energy produced by the solar thermal panel, the price of natural gas, and the inflation rate. The higher initial cost depends on the size, type, and installation of the solar thermal panel.
Solar Thermal: Complete Guide to the Pros, Cons and Costs Renewable Energy vs Natural Gas How The Costs Stack Up Is Solar Cheaper Than Natural Gas? - PowerSouth Energy Cooperative LEED Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction v4
A project team seeking certification for a new school is attempting to achieve Materials and Resources Credit, Construction and Demolition Waste Management, Option 2. Reduction of Total Waste Material. What strategy can be taken to meet the requirements of this credit?
Answer(s): D
The correct answer is D. Document total waste per building floor area. According to the LEED v4.1 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, Option 2 of the Construction and Demolition Waste Management credit requires projects to reduce the total construction waste generated by the project to less than 12.2 kilograms per square meter (2.5 pounds per square foot) of the building's floor area. This option rewards projects for implementing waste prevention strategies, such as designing for material optimization, prefabrication, modular construction, deconstruction, and reuse. To meet the requirements of this option, projects must document the total weight or volume of all construction waste generated by the project, excluding land-clearing debris and excavated soil, and divide it by the building's floor area. Projects must also provide a narrative describing the waste prevention measures taken during design and construction.
Which of the following must be included in the Sustainable Sites Credit, Site Assessment?
Answer(s): C
The correct answer is C. Proximity of vulnerable populations to major sources of air pollution. According to the LEED v4.1 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, the Site Assessment credit requires projects to conduct and document a site inventory and analysis that covers the following topics1:TopographyHydrologyClimateVegetationSoilsHuman useHuman health effectsThe human health effects topic includes identifying the proximity of vulnerable populations, such as children, elderly, or low-income residents, to major sources of air pollution, such as highways, power plants, or industrial facilities. This information can help the project team design strategies to minimize the exposure of occupants and visitors to harmful pollutants and improve the indoor and outdoor air quality of the project.The other options are not required for the Site Assessment credit, although they may be relevant for other credits or prerequisites. A targeted Brownfield remedy plan is required for the Brownfields Remediation credit, which applies to projects located on sites contaminated by past uses. A historic preservation plan to include neighboring properties is not required for any LEED credit, although projects that involve historic buildings or districts must comply with local regulations and standards for preservation. The surrounding density within a 1/4 mi. (0.40 km) radius of the project boundary is not required for the Site Assessment credit, but it is used to calculate the points for theSurrounding Density and Diverse Uses credit, which encourages projects to locate in areas with high levels of existing development and mixed land uses.
In addition to Materials and Resources Credit, Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction, Option 3. Building and Materials Reuse, salvaged materials contribute to the achievement of
. Materials and Resources Credit, Construction and Demolition Waste Management Salvaged materials are materials that have been recovered or diverted from the waste stream for reuse. They can contribute to the achievement of the Construction and Demolition Waste Management credit, which aims to reduce the amount of waste generated by construction and demolition activities and divert it from landfills and incinerators. By reusing salvaged materials, projects can reduce the demand for new materials, conserve natural resources, save energy, and lower greenhouse gas emissions. Salvaged materials can be counted as part of the total waste diverted from disposal, as long as they are not counted for the Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction credit.
Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction v4 Pages 263-2642 LEED Certification and Sustainable Construction Waste Management3
When a project team sustainably develops a project site, the design should
. remediate sites already in declineWhen a project team sustainably develops a project site, the design should aim to remediate sites already in decline, such as brownfields, degraded lands, or abandoned properties. By doing so, the project can restore the environmental quality, ecological functions, and social value of the site, as well as reduce the pressure on undeveloped lands and natural habitats. LEED offers credits for projects that choose to locate on and remediate sites already in decline, such as the Sustainable Sites Credit, Site Assessment and the Sustainable Sites Credit, Brownfields Remediation.
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