USGBC LEED-AP-BD+C Dumps Questions Answers

Achieving a minimum of 10 cooling tower cycles by increasing the level of make-up water treatment is the way to obtain the maximum number of points for Water Efficiency Credit, Cooling Tower Water Use.This credit aims to conserve water used for cooling tower equipment by encouraging the use of non-potable water sources and increasing the cycles of concentration1.The cycles of concentration are the ratio of theconcentration of dissolved solids in the blowdown water to the concentration of dissolved solids in the make-up water2.Increasing the cycles of concentration reduces the amount of make-up water and blowdown water, and thus saves water and energy2. The credit has two options: Option 1. Non-potable Water Source (1 point) and Option 2. Cooling Tower Water Use (2 points).Option 1 requires using at least 50% non-potablewater for cooling tower make-up water1.Option 2 requires achieving a minimum number of cooling tower cycles based on the quality of the make-up water, as specified in Table 1 of the credit requirements1.The maximum number of cycles is 10, which can be achieved by increasing the level of make-up water treatment to meet the criteria for conductivity, silica, and alkalinity1. Therefore, Option 2 is the way to obtain the maximum number of points for this credit.References:

• Credit: Cooling tower water use | U.S. Green Building Council
• Cooling Tower Evaporation Credits | WaterSignal

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.

References:

• 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

Interior paint must always be included in Materials and Resources credits.This is because interior paint is considered as a permanently installed product, which is defined by the LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction as "a product that is installed in a project permanently or semi-permanently, such that removal would require demolition or substantial renovation."1Permanently installed products must be included in the calculations for the following Materials and Resources credits: Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction, Building Product Disclosure and Optimization - Environmental Product Declarations, Building Product Disclosure and Optimization - Sourcing of Raw Materials, and Building Product Disclosure and Optimization - Material Ingredients.1The other options are not always included in Materials and Resources credits.Faucets (option A) and fire suppression systems (option D) are considered as mechanical, electrical, and plumbing components, which are excluded from the scope of Materials and Resources credits unless they are specifically addressed by the credit requirements.1Furniture (option B) is considered as a non-permanently installed product, which is optional to include in Materials and Resources credits, except for the Building Product Disclosure and Optimization - Material Ingredients credit, where furniture must be included if it is within the project scope.1References: LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, p.5791; LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, p.5801; LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, p.5811; LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, p.5821; LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Design and Construction, p.5831