LEED Green Associate Practice Test

What is the inherent trade-off in refrigerant management?

1. Technology usage and cost reduction

2. Ozone depletion potential and global warming potential

3. Operational efficiency and energy savings

4. Employee training and turnover rates

The correct answer is: Ozone depletion potential and global warming potential

The inherent trade-off in refrigerant management primarily revolves around balancing ozone depletion potential and global warming potential. Refrigerants can have varying impacts on the environment, specifically concerning their ability to deplete the ozone layer and contribute to global warming. Some refrigerants that are effective in cooling may have high global warming potential, meaning they can significantly contribute to climate change if released into the atmosphere. Effective refrigerant management seeks to minimize these negative environmental impacts by choosing refrigerants that are less harmful, while still maintaining efficient cooling performance. This often requires trade-offs in terms of the types of refrigerants used or changes in system designs, which can affect both the performance and cost of HVAC systems. Thus, managing these trade-offs is crucial for achieving sustainable practices in building operations, aligning with LEED guidelines for environmental responsibility. The other options touch on various operational aspects but do not directly address the specific environmental concerns tied to refrigerant use and management, which is central to this topic.