US Green Building Council LEED-AP-O-M Exam
LEED AP Operations + Maintenance (Page 3 )

Updated On: 7-Feb-2026

What is the allowed maximum tenant space exclusion for Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite, Minimum Energy Performance?

  1. 10% of the vacant space
  2. 10% of the gross floor area
  3. 10% of the project site area
  4. 10% of the regularly occupied area

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

The LEED AP Operations + Maintenance (LEED AP O+M) V4.1 guide specifies that for the Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite, Minimum Energy Performance, the allowed maximum tenant space exclusion is 10% of the gross floor area. This means that when calculating energy performance, up to 10% of the total floor area of the building can be excluded. This could be due to various reasons such as spaces being unoccupied or not in use.


Reference:

LEED v4: Building Operations + Maintenance Guide, LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, Minimum Energy Performance Calculator - ASHRAE 90.1 - 2010, LEED v4 energy update ­ U.S. Green Building Council

The Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite, Minimum Energy Performance, allows for certain exclusions to accommodate diverse building types and uses. One such provision permits the exclusion of up to 10% of the gross floor area (GFA) from the energy performance calculations. This allowance is designed to provide flexibility for spaces that may not be fully occupied or operational during the performance period, such as tenant spaces undergoing renovation or spaces with atypical energy usage. By excluding a limited portion of the GFA, the prerequisite acknowledges the variability in building occupancy and use, ensuring that the energy performance assessment is both fair and representative of the building's typical operations.


The allowance for excluding up to 10% of the gross floor area from the energy performance calculations is detailed in the LEED for Building Operations and Maintenance reference guide, specifically under the Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite, Minimum Energy Performance. This guideline is part of the LEED AP O+M training materials, which emphasize the importance of accommodating diverse building uses and occupancy levels in the pursuit of sustainable building operations.



The measures called out on the following site plan may contribute to the achievement of which LEED credits?
(Click on Exhibit)

Exhibit

  1. Sustainable Sites Credit, Rainwater Management; Sustainable Sites Credit, Light Pollution Reduction
  2. Sustainable Sites Credit, Rainwater Management; Sustainable Sites Credit, Heat Island Reduction
  3. Sustainable Sites Credit, Rainwater Management; Location and Transportation Credit, Alternative Transportation
  4. Sustainable Sites Credit, Rainwater Management; Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, Integrated Pest
    Management

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

The site plan includes measures for managing rainwater and reducing heat islands. Rain gardens and permeable surfaces are indicated, contributing to the Sustainable Sites Credit for Rainwater Management. The inclusion of parking under the solar canopy contributes to the Heat Island Reduction credit by providing shade and reducing surface temperatures.


Reference:

LEED AP O+M Exam

The site plan provided indicates two distinct sustainability measures: rainwater management and vegetated roof implementation. Rainwater management pertains to strategies that manage and mitigate the impacts of rainfall runoff. It contributes to the Sustainable Sites Credit for Rainwater Management by reducing runoff volume and improving water quality, which is in line with LEED requirements for managing precipitation on-site. Additionally, the presence of a vegetated roof, as shown in the plan, is a strategy for mitigating heat islands. This contributes to the Sustainable Sites Credit for Heat Island Reduction, which aims to minimize the impact on microclimates and human and wildlife habitats by reducing heat-absorbing surfaces.


The LEED BD+C Reference Guide, specifically the Sustainable Sites (SS) category, outlines the importance of rainwater management and heat island reduction strategies. These are fundamental aspects covered in the LEED AP O+M training materials, which emphasize site sustainability as a critical component of the overall sustainability of a building project.



Buildings account for what percentage of total energy use?

  1. 30%
  2. 40%
  3. 50%
  4. 60%

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

Buildings account for 40% of total energy use in the U.S., according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency1. This is consistent with the global estimate by the International Energy Agency, which states that buildings and construction sector accounted for 36% of final energy use in 20182.


Reference:

LEED AP O+M Exam Guide, page 305; LEED v4.1 O+M Reference Guide, page 97.

Buildings are one of the primary consumers of energy worldwide, and they account for a significant percentage of total energy use. The correct percentage is 40%, which encompasses energy used for heating, cooling, lighting, and operating buildings. This figure reflects the extensive impact that building design, construction, and operations have on energy consumption and the potential for energy savings in this sector.


The figure that buildings account for 40% of total energy use is a commonly cited statistic in the field of sustainability and is mentioned in LEED training materials and documentation. It is a crucial factor that drives the Energy and Atmosphere (EA) category within the LEED rating systems, pushing for strategies that reduce energy consumption and improve building energy performance.



A project owner has hired a Commissioning Authority (CxA) to develop a Commissioning (Cx) Plan which will be submitted in the LEED application to document Energy and Atmosphere Credit, Existing Building Commissioning -

Analysis, Option 1. Existing Building Commissioning. At a minimum, what should be included in the Cx Plan?

  1. Cx program overview, project team members, and process activities
  2. Energy Use Breakdown, project team members, and Capital Improvements Measures
  3. Low and No Cost Improvements, Energy Use Breakdown, and Capital Improvements Measures
  4. Cx process activities, Water efficiency optimization strategies, and Energy Use Breakdown

Answer(s): A

Explanation:

LEED v4.1 O+M Reference Guide, page 101; LEED AP O+M Exam Guide, page 306. The Commissioning (Cx) Plan is a foundational document that outlines the scope and activities of the commissioning process. At a minimum, the plan should include an overview of the Cx program, which details the objectives and goals, the roles and responsibilities of the project team members involved in the commissioning process, and the sequence and timing of process activities. This ensures that all stakeholders understand the commissioning process and are aligned with its implementation.


Reference:

The requirements for the contents of a Commissioning Plan are detailed in the Energy and Atmosphere Credit for Existing Building Commissioning under the LEED for Building Operations and Maintenance (O+M) reference guide. It is also highlighted in the LEED AP O+M training materials that a comprehensive Cx Plan is integral to documenting the systematic process of ensuring building systems perform interactively and efficiently.



According to Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, Daylight and Quality Views, what is the view factor in the diagram below?

  1. View Factor 1
  2. View Factor 2
  3. View Factor 4
  4. View Factor 5

Answer(s): B

Explanation:

The view factor is the percentage of the floor area that has a direct line of sight to the perimeter vision glazing. According to the LEED Reference Guide for Building Operations and Maintenance, the view factor for the diagram below is 2, which means that 75% or more of the floor area has a direct line of sight to the perimeter vision glazing.


Reference:

LEED Reference Guide for Building Operations and Maintenance, v4 Edition, Indoor Environmental Quality, Daylight and Quality Views, page 5811



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