1. What types of professionals should be included on a project team and throughout the project in order to obtain a LEED ID credit?
Only experts in architecture, engineering, design, and construction should be included in a project team in order to obtain a LEED ID credit. The best professionals though are environmental engineers since they work specifically on protecting the environment.
2. What specific solar orientation practices can earn LEED credit?
-The south-facing glazing area is at least 50% greater than the sum of the glazing area on the east and west facing walls
-The east-west axis of the building is within 15 degrees of due east-west
-At least 90% of the south-facing glazing is completely shaded at solar noon on the summer solstice and unshaded at noon on the winter solstice
3. What types of sites should be avoided in order to obtain LEED credit?
Do not develop on sites that are: Prime farmland, Parkland, Floodplain, Habitat land designated for endangered species, Wetlands, or land within 100 feet of a clean water body
4. What basic landscape design practices should be followed in order to obtain LEED credits?
To earn a LEED credit in landscape you design must be drought resistant/tolerant. You shouldn't use turf in very shaded areas. Turf should also not be used in areas with more than a 25% slope. All solid that is compacted must be tilled to at least 6in. Mulch and soil amendments must be applied appropriately.
5. What are some ways that architects can obtain LEED credits concerning water efficiency?
-They can aim for the LEED Building Design and Construction water efficiency credits by employing Outdoor and Indoor water use reduction, building-level water metering, and cooling tower water use.
-They can also aim for LEED Operations and Maintenance water efficiency credits with similar prerequisites (outdoor/indoor water use reduction, water metering)
1. What building components or systems can be enhanced to contribute to LEED credits that promote energy efficiency?
Using components which are energy star rated electricity can be saved and promote energy efficiency. Also less reliance on power cooling/heating will cause less of a need for ACs or heaters cutting down on energy use. The use of natural ventilation also removes a lot of electricity use.
2. How can the choices of (or use of) materials affect the LEED rating of a home?
LEED rewards teams for selecting manufactured goods that have Environmental Product Declarations, which are a standardized way of quantifying the environmental impact of a product or system. To earn a point, teams must look for a label provided by a manufacturer to ensure the product meets the appropriate requirements. Another point can be earned by choosing products with an optimized environmental profile.
3. What is required to earn LEED credits with respect to moisture and indoor pollutants in kitchens and bathrooms?
Humidity levels must stay below 60% for LEED certification, this can be achieved through natural ventilation or electrical dehumidifiers or HVAC systems which have dehumidification options. The HVAC system is also very important since it prevents too many pollutants from being in the air.
4. From a public relations perspective, why might a company want to have a high LEED score?
Buildings with a high LEED score tend to be profitable, cost-effective, and good for the economy, which leads to better press and public view. Businesses are more likely to interact with these buildings and by association the company who built them. LEED certified buildings are also healthier, which makes them better to work and live in.
Only experts in architecture, engineering, design, and construction should be included in a project team in order to obtain a LEED ID credit. The best professionals though are environmental engineers since they work specifically on protecting the environment.
2. What specific solar orientation practices can earn LEED credit?
-The south-facing glazing area is at least 50% greater than the sum of the glazing area on the east and west facing walls
-The east-west axis of the building is within 15 degrees of due east-west
-At least 90% of the south-facing glazing is completely shaded at solar noon on the summer solstice and unshaded at noon on the winter solstice
3. What types of sites should be avoided in order to obtain LEED credit?
Do not develop on sites that are: Prime farmland, Parkland, Floodplain, Habitat land designated for endangered species, Wetlands, or land within 100 feet of a clean water body
4. What basic landscape design practices should be followed in order to obtain LEED credits?
To earn a LEED credit in landscape you design must be drought resistant/tolerant. You shouldn't use turf in very shaded areas. Turf should also not be used in areas with more than a 25% slope. All solid that is compacted must be tilled to at least 6in. Mulch and soil amendments must be applied appropriately.
5. What are some ways that architects can obtain LEED credits concerning water efficiency?
-They can aim for the LEED Building Design and Construction water efficiency credits by employing Outdoor and Indoor water use reduction, building-level water metering, and cooling tower water use.
-They can also aim for LEED Operations and Maintenance water efficiency credits with similar prerequisites (outdoor/indoor water use reduction, water metering)
1. What building components or systems can be enhanced to contribute to LEED credits that promote energy efficiency?
Using components which are energy star rated electricity can be saved and promote energy efficiency. Also less reliance on power cooling/heating will cause less of a need for ACs or heaters cutting down on energy use. The use of natural ventilation also removes a lot of electricity use.
2. How can the choices of (or use of) materials affect the LEED rating of a home?
LEED rewards teams for selecting manufactured goods that have Environmental Product Declarations, which are a standardized way of quantifying the environmental impact of a product or system. To earn a point, teams must look for a label provided by a manufacturer to ensure the product meets the appropriate requirements. Another point can be earned by choosing products with an optimized environmental profile.
3. What is required to earn LEED credits with respect to moisture and indoor pollutants in kitchens and bathrooms?
Humidity levels must stay below 60% for LEED certification, this can be achieved through natural ventilation or electrical dehumidifiers or HVAC systems which have dehumidification options. The HVAC system is also very important since it prevents too many pollutants from being in the air.
4. From a public relations perspective, why might a company want to have a high LEED score?
Buildings with a high LEED score tend to be profitable, cost-effective, and good for the economy, which leads to better press and public view. Businesses are more likely to interact with these buildings and by association the company who built them. LEED certified buildings are also healthier, which makes them better to work and live in.