Delivering high volumes of outside air into the building interior dilutes indoor air contaminants, thereby improving indoor air quality.

The EPA estimates that Americans spend 90% of their time indoors, where concentrations of harmful contaminants may be dangerously high.

Input from all key stakeholders and members of the design team is essential before schematic design begins, particularly since 70% of the decisions associated with environmental impacts are made during the first 10% of the design process.

A structure designed to conserve water and energy; use space, materials, and resources efficiently; minimize construction waste; and create a healthful indoor environment.

While many of these strategies may be eligible for an Innovation in Design credit, only diverting an increased percentage of construction waste is considered exemplary performance.

Operable windows allow occupants to make adjustments to the air speed and temperature within the building, thereby controlling multiple environmental conditions for thermal comfort.

A Green Associate credential attests to the candidate’s knowledge of good environmental practice and skill, and reflects an understanding and support of green design, construction, and operations. There are no specialties within the LEED Green Associate tier. The Green Associate credential also serves as the first step for professionals pursuing a LEED Accredited Professional specialization.

The baseline case represents the Energy Policy Act of 1992 (EPAct 1992) flow and flush rates.

Energy performance is a primary factor in determining how much energy is used per unit of cooling, thereby influencing the environmental impact of the HVAC system.

The inside of a building is one of the most critical areas for human health to specify green.

The 50 tons sorted off-site are 60% diverted, resulting in 30 tons recycled. The 40 tons separated on-site are 100% diverted, resulting in 40 tons recycled. The remaining 10 tons are incinerated, resulting in 0 tons recycled. The total recycled is 70 tons, which is 70% of 100 tons.

Common salvaged materials include structural beams and posts, flooring, doors, cabinetry, brick, and decorative items.

A sustainable site is one that is located within or near existing development to leverage existing infrastructure and provide basic services to building occupants. Additionally, it prioritizes potential sites that have been previously developed, minimizing the degradation of greenfield sites.

RECs are tradable environmental commodities representing proof that a unit of electricity was generated from a renewable energy source. RECs are sold separately from the electricity itself.

Increasing the floor-to-area ratio results in a smaller building footprint, thereby increasing the available site area to use as open space. Additionally, locating parking underground eliminates surface parking, likewise increasing the available site area that can be dedicated to open space.

Providing a carpooling incentive increases the percentage of occupants who co-commute, thereby reducing the total vehicle miles traveled.

Passive design strategies are used to reduce energy consumption by utilizing natural thermal processes (convection, absorption, radiation, and conduction) and sunlight to condition and light spaces.

Potable water- Water that meets or exceeds the EPA’s drinking water quality standards and is approved for human consumption by the state or local authorities having jurisdiction.

While LEED customer service representatives may be able to assist users in determining whether an issue is of appropriate technical complexity to be a CIR, they do not advise applicants as to whether a CIR is likely to be successful.

LEED for New Construction and Major Renovation addresses buildings, and although furniture and appliances can be included within the scope of the program, it is not required to do so.

USGBC is a nonprofit, member-driven body whose mission is “to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built, and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life.” Its primary responsibilities are to develop and maintain technically robust building certification programs and educational offerings.

You must have at lease 1,000 square feet (93 square meters) of gross floor area.

The licensed-professional exemption allows registered professionals to forgo some of the documentation requirements.

The LEED boundary is the portion of the project site submitted for LEED certification.

Employer benefits:
 Establishes eligibility for projects on which owners are mandating the participation of a LEED AP;
 Strengthens qualifications when responding to requests for proposals (RFPs) requiring a LEED AP; and
 Encourages the growth of knowledge and understanding of the LEED certification process.

Schematic design (SD) explores several design options and alternatives, with the intent to establish an agreed-upon project layout and scope of work.

Recommissioning along with occupant surveying (via a post-occupancy evaluation) should take place at regular intervals.

The project owner defines the intended function of the building and selects the primary members of the project team.

Gross floor areas must be no less than 2% of the gross land area within the LEED project boundary.

Provides a marketable credential to an employer, prospective employer, or client.