LEED Green Associate Practice Test

Which of the following is NOT an increasing energy efficiency strategy outlined to meet EA credit requirements?

1. Participate in demand response programs

2. Utilize high-efficiency appliances

3. Decrease building orientation

4. Implement energy modeling

The correct answer is: Decrease building orientation

The strategy of decreasing building orientation is not typically considered an energy efficiency strategy related to EA credit requirements. Energy efficiency focuses on optimizing how energy is consumed within a building, and the orientation of a building is mainly about its placement in relation to the sun, the surrounding landscape, and other structures. While orientation can impact energy performance—such as daylighting and passive solar heating—changing or decreasing the orientation itself does not directly lead to improved energy efficiency. In contrast, participating in demand response programs, utilizing high-efficiency appliances, and implementing energy modeling are all strategies that actively contribute to enhancing a building's energy performance. Demand response programs help manage energy usage during peak times, high-efficiency appliances reduce the power consumption directly, and energy modeling allows for the analysis and optimization of building designs to achieve better efficiency outcomes before construction begins.