LEED BOOTCAMP

LEED AP = Legacy AP

2009-05-28T18:02:00.000-07:00

We all know there will be significant differences between LEED 2.2 and LEED 2009, but did you know that you can no longer call yourself a LEED AP after this summer? Starting this summer, there will be three types of LEED credentials:

Tier 1: LEED Green Associates
Tier 2: LEED AP+
Tier 3: LEED AP Fellow

And for those of us are currently LEED APs, we will have to change our title to Legacy APs!

Where to Find Information on the LEED Exam

2008-10-29T10:48:00.000-07:00

The new USGBC website has moved to a new location managed by Green Building Certification Institute. In the new site, you can register for the LEED exam, find different study materials, and take a sample test! An excellent place to get started!

Green Building Certification Institute
LEED AP Exam Preparation

MR Credit 7: Certified Wood

2008-03-30T19:44:00.000-07:00

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a worldwide organization that promotes the responsible management of working forests through the development of standards, a certification system, and trademark recognition. FSC was established in response to reduce forest loss and forest degradation.

To get this point, at least 50% of all wood building components must be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

** Keep in mind products certified by FSC only means that they are harvested from responsibly managed forests. It does not ensure that these wood products are not treated with chemicals.

Tip #7: Case Study

2007-10-21T20:11:00.000-07:00

Ok, you've read the LEED Reference V 2.2 book twice and you're still not sure if you can remember most of the information. Don't worry, most of us feel the same way. One good way to become more familiar with LEED points is to read through case studies.

Where to find them? Luckily, the Sidwell Friends Middle School has a website that goes through step by step the different "green" features in the building. Its nice illustrations and explanations will definitely help you remember those LEED points better!

Sidwell Friends Middle School Green Tour

The Solaire

2007-09-12T12:15:00.000-07:00

LEED Rating: Gold [2004]

Location: New York, NY

Architect: Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects

* The first green residential tower in America.

Heat Island Effect

2007-09-11T06:09:00.000-07:00

The term "heat island" refers to urban air and surface temperatures that are higher than nearby rural areas. Many U.S. cities and suburbs have air temperatures up to 10°F warmer than the surrounding natural land cover.

Heat islands form as cities replace natural land cover with pavement, buildings, and other infrastructure. These changes contribute to higher urban temperatures in a number of ways:

- Displacing trees and vegetation minimizes the natural cooling effects of shading and evaporation of water from soil and leaves.

- Tall buildings and narrow streets can heat air trapped between them and reduce air flow.

- Waste heat from vehicles, factories, and air conditioners may add warmth to their surroundings, further exacerbating the heat island effect.

SS Credit 7.1: Heat Island Effect – Non-Roof
SS Credit 7.2: Heat Island Effect - Roof

Linoleum vs. Vinyl

2007-09-06T06:16:00.000-07:00

It is important not to confuse linoleum with vinyl flooring. The main difference between the two materials is that linoleum is made of linseed oil and is biodegradable. Vinyl on the other hand is a synthetic material that releases volatile organic compound.

Linoleum has gained popularity in the recent years due to concern over indoor air quality. When linoleum is installed with low-emission adhesives, it releases almost no harmful chemicals.

MR Credit 6: Rapidly Renewable Materials

2007-09-05T06:05:00.000-07:00

Rapidly renewable materials and products are made from plants that are typically harvested within a ten-year cycle or shorter.

To obtain this point, 2.5% of the total value of all building materials and products used in the project based on cost must be rapidly renewable materials.

For the purpose of this test, you need to remember which materials are rapidly renewable. Typical examples of rapidly renewable material includes bamboo, wool, cotton insulation, agrifiber, linoleum, wheatboard, strawboard and cork.

5 Days Left to Vote for the Most Useful LEED Exam Study Material!

2007-08-26T11:09:00.000-07:00

There seems to be much more choices in study materials than when I first took my LEED exam last year. Although I found the combination of just using the LEED NC Reference Guide and the Colorado Study Guide more than sufficient, I noticed that many people now are also buying flashcards and sample exams from other sources. That is part of the reason I am conducting this poll so that we can all share with each other what sources might be useful.

There are 5 more days left until the closing of this poll. So far, 56% of you thinks that the Reference Guide is the best material to prepare for the exam.

If you have a minute to spare, please take a second to enter your vote and share with others what you find the most useful in studying for the exam!

LEED Exam: Introduction

2007-08-23T11:33:00.000-07:00

The LEED NC 2.2 Exam comprise of 80 multiple-choice questions with a time frame of 2 hours. It is scored on a scale from 125-200, with 170 as the passing score. The score is available immediately after the exam, and you can retake the exam immediately without a waiting period if you failed.

There are six components to the LEED Green Building Rating System:

Sustainable Sites: 14 points
Water Efficiency: 5 points
Energy and Atmosphere: 17 points
Materials and Resources: 13 points
Indoor Environmental Quality: 15 points
Innovation & Design Process: 5 points

It is advisable to read through all sections of the Reference Guide twice when you are studying for the exam. If you are really pressed for time, I would advise that you should make sure you know understand all the requirements for Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, and Indoor Environmental Quality.

LEED Bootcamp Definition of the Day: Xeriscape

2007-08-22T08:30:00.000-07:00

Xeriscape does not mean zero landscape [Xeros is Greek for "dry"]. It refers to landscaping in ways that do not require supplemental irrigation. Its primary objective is to maximize water conservation.

Xeriscape landscape incorporates native plant species that are adapted to local climate conditions.
Some common plants used in xeriscaping are agave, cactus, lavender, juniper, sedum and thyme.

Some common xeriscape advantages include:
- lower water bills
- more water available for other uses
- little or no lawn mowing
- ability to survive in harsh conditions such as limitation of water

LEED NC 2.2 WE Credit 1: Water Efficient Landscaping

Top 10 US Cities for Renewable Energy

2007-08-16T08:15:00.000-07:00

Renewable energy is important because it produces electricity without creating green gas emission or air pollution. Many US cities have set goals for increasing the use of renewable energy as an energy source. These goals ranges from New York's 25% by 2013, to Portland's goal of 100% energy from renewable sources by 2010!

Here is the latest ranking of US cities that provide their citizens with the highest percentage of power produced from renewable energy sources [solar, wind, geothermal, and small-scale hydro energy]:

1. Oakland, CA
2. San Francisco, CA
3. Portland, OR
4. Boston
5. SanDiego, CA
6. Austin, TX
7. Los Angeles
8. Minneapolis, MN
9. Seattle, WA
10. Chicago, IL

Is your city on the list?

Group Power = Green Power

2007-08-15T15:36:00.000-07:00

Green power is not just for the big businesses as today's New York Times article illustrates. Ten small business owners on U Street in Washington, DC have formed a small group to buy nearly two million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy a year. According to Mr. Skulnik from Clean Currents, a renewable power brokerage firm, this use of alternative energy from the group will have the same impact as taking 185 motor vehicles off the road for a year.

Continue reading...

Sidwell Friends Middle School

2007-08-15T15:20:00.000-07:00

LEED Rating: Platinum
Location: Washington, DC
Architect: Kieran Timberlake Associates

*The first LEED Platinum-rated K-12 school in the world and the first platinum building in Washington, DC.

Q&A: Where Can I Get the Colorado Chapter's Study Guide?

2007-08-14T18:56:00.000-07:00

The Colorado Chapter's LEED NC 2.2 Study Guide is $50 for non-Colorado Chapter members.
Some swears by this guide to pass the exam, but some finds using the Reference Guide more than sufficient.

Click on this link if you intend on getting your own copy...USGBC Colorado Study Guide

Exam Tips of the Day

2007-08-11T10:56:00.000-07:00

Tip #1: Don't rely solely on the Reference Guide
Tip #2: Know your prerequisites!
Tip #3: Know the ASHRAEs
Tip #4: Synergy is Key!
Tip #5: Write Down LEED Point System During Exam Tutorial
Tip #6: How to Get Started!

EA: Energy and Atmosphere

2007-08-11T10:14:00.000-07:00

17 possible points

75% of energy are produced by the combustion of fossil fuels. This process of generating energy impact the environment in many negative ways. If buildings consume 37& of the energy and 68% of electricity produced in the U.S annually, there is a lot of potential for the building industry to minimize negative environmental impact generated by buildings.

This section focuses on how to reduce energy use, and to encourage the use of alternative energy souces in buildings.

Prereq 1: Fundamental Commissioning of the Building Energy Systems
Prereq 2: Minimum Energy Performance
Prereq 3: Fundamental Regrigerant Management

Credit 1: Optimize Energy Performance
Credit 2: On-Site Renewable Energy
Credit 3: Enhanced Commissioning
Credit 4: Enhanced Refrigerant Management
Credit 5: Measurement & Verification
Credit 6: Green Power

Tip #6: How to Get Started!

2007-08-11T09:30:00.000-07:00

Let's face it, the Reference Guide just puts you into sleep whenever you attempt to read it. I had such a hard time keeping my eyes open after a 10 hour work day. The key is to read the Colorado Study Guide first! It breaks down the materials into easier to digest chapters, and it gives you a general background without the boring details. Not to mention the bonus mock exam in the back.

If you have any other tips, share them!

SS: Sustainable Sites

2007-08-10T09:50:00.000-07:00

14 possible points

This section focuses on how to minimize negative impacts from the development and construction process and how to improve on previously contaminated sites.

Prereq 1: Construction Activity Pollution Prevention

Credit 1: Site Selection
Credit 2: Development Density + Community Connectivity
Credit 3: Brownfield Redevelpment
Credit 4: Alternative Transportation
Credit 5: Site Development
Credit 6: Stormwater Design
Credit 7: Heat Island Effect
Credit 8: Light Pollution Reduction

LEED BOOTCAMP: Updates and Maintenance

2007-08-09T17:32:00.000-07:00

This weekend, the website will be updated for the LEED exam version 2.2!!!

I apologize for the hiatus in the postings. I have been working in Europe for the past year and have just returned to the States. This website will be updated on a more regular basis from now on.

For those of you who are having trouble finding the Colorado Study Guide, here is a link to to the site. [Just to clarify, this guide is applicable to anyone taking the exam. It is published by the Colorado Chapter, but the exam content is the same nationwide.]

USGBC Colorado Chapter

EA Credit 6: Green Power

2007-08-02T18:31:00.000-07:00

Energy production is a big contributor to air pollution in the United States; therefore, the use of alternative energy sources such as solar, water, wind, biomass, and geothermal energy sources should be encouraged. That is the intent of EA credit 6: Green Power. To obtain this point, 50% of the building's energy must come from a renewable energy source with at least a two-year contract.

Refer to Green-e Program for the available choices in each state.

*If green power is not available in your state, TRCs[tradable renewable energy certificates] can be used instead.

** You must familiarize yourself with the different renewable energy options for the exam.

EQ: Indoor Environmental Quality

2007-08-02T10:22:00.000-07:00

15 possible points

Prereq 1: Minimum IAQ Performance
Prereq 2: Environmental Tobacco Smoke [ETS] Control

Credit 1: Outdoor Air Delivery Monitoring
Credit 2: Increased Ventilation
Credit 3: Construction IAQ Management Plan
Credit 4: Low-Emitting Materials
Credit 5: Indoor Chemical & Pollutant Source Control
Credit 6: Controllability of Systems
Credit 7: Thermal Comfort
Credit 8: Daylight & Views

AIA Learning Units and LEED 2.2

2007-07-04T14:26:00.000-07:00

There is an incentive to take the LEED exam in addition to becoming a LEED AP. The AIA will now give 3 HSW Learning Units to anyone who passed the LEED exam since January 1, 2006.

Simply email exam@usgbc.org with your name, test date, and 8 digit AIA member number to receive these points!

LEED NC 2.2

2006-11-01T09:19:00.000-08:00

The LEED NC 2.2 Exam is scheduled to launch on December 18, 2006. The format of the new test will stay pretty much the same. The only difference will be that in NC 2.2, there are a few more additional points in different categories.

LEED Exam Deadline Extended!

2006-10-30T16:10:00.000-08:00

The deadline for taking the LEED exam has been extended through November 30, 2006! If you haven't scheduled for an appointment, you still have chance to take the LEED NC 2.1 exam before they change the test format!