LEED-AP-O+M USGBC LEED AP Operations + Maintenance (LEED AP O+M) Free Practice Exam Questions (2025 Updated)

To comply with the prerequisite, the project team must establish an ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager profile for the building and enter the required information, such as building type, size, occupancy, and energy use. The project team must also share the profile with USGBC and achieve a minimum score of 75 or demonstrate a 20% improvement in energy performance.

References:

LEED v4 Reference Guide for Building Operations and Maintenance, page 2111

LEED AP O+M Exam Preparation Guide, page 672

For the Materials and Resources Credit, Purchasing - Facility Maintenance and Renovations, there is no specified minimum amount of renovation or new construction work required. The project team determines what qualifies for this credit based on the scope of their project.

References: The LEED v4.1 O+M reference guide does not specify a minimum renovation requirement for this credit, allowing the project team to define the scope of work that meets the intent of the credit1.

The LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (LEED EB: O&M) rating system includes a credit category called Materials and Resources (MR). Under this category, there is a credit called “Sustainable Purchasing – Ongoing Consumables” (MR Credit 1). This credit covers product purchases for the building and areas within the site manager’s control. One of the criteria for this credit is that food and beverages must be labeled USDA Organic1. Therefore, a USDA organic food product would qualify under this credit.

References:

LEED Requirements: Meet the Prerequisites

Policy 8-105 Sustainability Purchasing Policy

EBOM-v4 MRc1: Purchasing - ongoing

When the building type is not covered by the ENERGY STAR® rating tool, the energy baseline for Minimum Energy Performance can be determined using historical energy consumption data or a calibrated energy simulation. This approach allows for a tailored assessment of the building’s energy use that is specific to its actual performance.

References: The LEED v4.1 O+M reference materials provide guidance on establishing an energy baseline using historical data or energy simulation methods when ENERGY STAR® ratings are not applicable1234.

the mercury content of the new T8 lamps remained the same; however, the average life of the bulb increasedJust Short Explanation: The decrease in the average picogram per lumen hour indicates an improvement in the environmental impact of the lamps. This can happen if the mercury content remains constant while the lifespan of the lamps increases, resulting in less mercury used over time per unit of light produced.

References: The information about T8 lamps indicates that newer models are designed to be energy-efficient with a longer lifespan while maintaining a low mercury content, which would contribute to a lower picogram per lumen hour ratio12.

For the Materials and Resources Credit, Solid Waste Management - Ongoing, it is essential to accurately measure and document the amount of waste generated and diverted from landfills. This can be done by tracking the waste in terms of weight (pounds or kilograms) or volume (cubic yards or cubic meters). This method provides the most accurate accounting of waste management efforts and is a requirement for documenting performance for this credit. It allows for the calculation of diversion rates and effectiveness of waste reduction strategies.

References:

The LEED for Building Operations and Maintenance Reference Guide details the requirements for waste tracking and documentation. This process is key to achieving the Solid Waste Management - Ongoing credit, which is aimed at reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills and incineration facilities, as emphasized in LEED AP O+M training materials.

 According to the LEED AP Operations + Maintenance (LEED AP O+M) V4.1 guide, a project can earn up to four points for innovation. However, to earn all five points in the Innovation category, a project team must achieve at least one pilot credit, at least one innovation credit, and no more than two exemplary performance credits123.

References: = LEED v4: Building Operations + Maintenance Guide, LEED v4: Building Design + Construction Guide, Minimum Energy Performance Calculator - ASHRAE 90.1 - 2010, LEED v4 energy update – U.S. Green Building Council

Projects not eligible for the ENERGY STAR rating must demonstrate an energy efficiency of at least 25% better than the national average for typical buildings of similar type based on energy source. This can be done by using the ENERGY STAR Target Finder tool or a custom approved by USGBC.

References: =LEED AP O+M Exam Guide, page 305; LEED v4.1 O+M Reference Guide, page 97.

For projects not eligible for the ENERGY STAR® rating, an alternative path to demonstrate compliance with the Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite, Minimum Energy Efficiency Performance, is to show that the building's energy efficiency is significantly higher than the baseline established for similar buildings. Demonstrating energy efficiency that is at least 25% better than the national average for comparable buildings, based on the type of energy used, provides a quantifiable metric that reflects the building's superior performance. This approach aligns with LEED's goal to encourage higher energy efficiency standards and reduce environmental impact through improved building performance.

References:

This alternative compliance path for projects not eligible for ENERGY STAR® rating is outlined in the LEED for Building Operations and Maintenance reference guideunder the Energy and Atmosphere category. It provides a method for buildings to achieve the Minimum Energy Efficiency Performance prerequisite by exceeding the energy performance standards of similar buildings, promoting an advanced level of energy conservation in building operations as emphasized in LEED AP O+M training materials.

Developing the LEED Scorecard is the process of selecting the credits and options that align with the project goals and are feasible for the project team to achieve. The LEED Scorecard is a tool that helps track the progress and performance of the project against the LEED rating system requirements. Discussing the project goals is an important step in developing the LEED Scorecard, as it helps the team prioritize the credits and options that bring the most value to the project owner, environment, and community.

References: =LEED v4.1 OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE - WAP Sustainability Consulting, page 17;LEED v4: Building Operations + Maintenance Guide | U.S. Green Building Council, page 17;LEED v4.1 O+M: Existing Buildings Scorecard, page 5

The use of the EUI tool in ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager helps to create an energy use breakdown by major system types or end uses.This is because EUI is a metric that expresses a building’s energy use as a function of its size or other characteristics, which can be used to identify and categorize major energy-consuming systems or end uses within the building1.

References:

LEED v4: Building Operations + Maintenance Guide2

v4.1 Instructions to share data from Energy Star Portfolio Manager3

Portfolio Manager Technical Reference: U.S.National Energy Use Intensity1

Demand response is a voluntary program that encourages building owners to reduce their electricity use during peak periods or shift it to off-peak times. The upgraded BAS can enable the building owner to participate in demand response programs by allowing programmable load control, which can adjust the operation of HVAC, lighting, and other systems based on the demand response signals. This can help reduce the stress on the grid, lower the electricity costs, and earn LEED points.

References:

Part 2 of current page talks about the Energy and Atmosphere Credit, Demand Response1.

Guide to the LEED AP Operations and Maintenance (O+M) Examby Michelle Cottrell, pages 97-98.

This is the correct answer because LEED v4.1 O+M requires projects to provide storage locations for at least five of the following recyclable materials: mixed paper, corrugated cardboard, glass, plastics, metals, batteries, mercury-containing lamps, and electronic waste. Option D lists five of these materials, while the other options include materials that are not required by LEED, such as paint, wood pallets, or electronics.

References:

•LEED v4.1 O+M Reference Guide, p. 1211

•LEED v4.1 O+M Guide, p. 92

The correct answer is A because installing an on-site photovoltaic array is a strategy that is allowed under Energy and Atmosphere Credit, Renewable Energy and Carbon Offsets, and will help a project achieve Energy and Atmosphere Credit, Optimize Energy Performance, as stated in the LEED v4.1 O+M Reference Guide1.An on-site photovoltaic array can generate renewable energy for the project and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs1. The other options are incorrect because they either do not helpthe project achieve Energy and Atmosphere Credit, Optimize Energy Performance, or are not allowed by the credit requirements.

References: =

LEED v4.1 O+M Reference Guide, page 145

Guide to the LEED AP Operations and Maintenance (O+M) Exam, page 90

LEED v4 AP O+M Mock Exam, page 87 =========================================

This includes waste from commerce, trade, office buildings, institutions and small businesses. The other options are incorrect because they are either too high or too low compared to the actual data.

References: =

OECD Data: Municipal waste

Guide to the LEED AP Operations and Maintenance (O+M) Exam, page 103

LEED v4 AP O+M Mock Exam, page 83 =========================================

Commercial and institutional buildings are significant contributors to municipal waste generation. These buildings include offices, schools, retail stores, and healthcare facilities. Waste from these buildings comprises paper, cardboard, plastics, metals, glass, and organics, among other materials. The range of 35% to 45% accounts for the diverse activities within these buildings that generate waste, from daily operational waste to periodic large-scale waste from renovations and refurbishments. Waste management strategies in these buildings, such as recycling and composting programs, can significantly impact this percentage.References:LEED Reference Guide for Building Operations and Maintenance, U.S. Green Building Council.

The use of electric-powered equipment is a sustainable management method that can be included in a project’s site management policy. It helps reduce emissions and pollution associated with gasoline-powered equipment, aligning with LEED’s environmental goals.

References: The LEED v4.1 O+M Guide and Site Management policy template provide guidance on sustainable site management practices, including the use of electric-powered equipment to minimize environmental impact123.

In developing a site management policy, one effective management method is to use electric-powered equipment instead of gasoline-powered equipment. Electric equipment typically produces fewer emissions and is quieter, contributing to a reduction in air pollution and noise pollution on the site. This practice aligns with LEED's emphasis on reducing environmental impacts and improving the quality of the site and surrounding areas.

References:The use of electric-powered equipment as a preferred management method is consistent with the guidelines provided in the LEED AP Operations + Maintenance reference materials, particularly in the context of developing sustainable site management policies. These resources advocate for practices that minimize environmental impact and enhance sustainability.

This answer is correct because it matches the requirement of the Energy and Atmosphere Credit, Optimize Energy Performance, which aims to reduce the environmental and economic impacts associated with excessive energy use. The credit requires projects todemonstrate an improvement in energy performance compared to a baseline building, using one of the three options available.For buildings eligible to receive an energy performance rating using the Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager tool, the option is to achieve a rating of at least 50, which corresponds to the median energy performance of similar buildings nationwide1. The other options are incorrect because they are either higher than the minimum rating or not applicable to this option.

References: =LEED v4.1 OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE - WAP Sustainability Consulting, page 32;LEED v4: Building Operations + Maintenance Guide | U.S. Green Building Council, page 32;ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager

The LEED AP Operations + Maintenance (LEED AP O+M) V4.1 focuses on improving the sustainability of existing buildings that are fully operational and have been occupied for at least a year12. Administering an alternative transportation survey is appropriate when the daily average or typical peak number of visitors is at least 50% of the regular building occupants. This is because the survey aims to understand and improve the transportation habits of a significant portion of the people interacting with the building, which includes both regular occupants and visitors. By focusing on this group, the LEED AP can identify opportunities to encourage alternative transportation modes, thereby reducing the building’s overall environmental impact.

References:

LEED v4: Building Operations + Maintenance Guide | U.S. Green Building Council

LEED AP with specialty | U.S. Green Building Council

LEED certification for existing buildings and spaces

LEED O+M Certification & Credentials | Existing Buildings | GBES

Retro-commissioning, re-commissioning, or on-going commissioning are quality assurance processes for existing buildings that aim to optimize performance and improve building operation. One of the essential goals of these processes is to identify opportunities for cost-effective reduction in energy consumption123. This involves verifying and documenting that the building and its systems and assemblies are operating efficiently and meet the current requirements of the building3.

References:

LEED v4: Building Operations + Maintenance Guide | U.S. Green Building Council

LEED v4.1 OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE - WAP Sustainability Consulting

Building Operations & Maintenance - Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC)

Guide to the LEED AP Operations and Maintenance (O+M) Exam

Technical Guidelines on Retro-commissioning

Existing Building Commissioning: Retro-commissioning and Re-commissioning with EAB

EC Re-Commissioning | NJ Green Building Manual

When attempting the Sustainable Sites Credit for Light Pollution Reduction in a LEED project, the LEED Interpretations that must be used are those published before the project's registration date that apply to the project's rating system. This means that the correct answer to the question is "C: Sustainable Sites Credit, Light Pollution Reduction LEED Interpretation published before the project's registration date that applies to the project's rating system."

LEED Interpretations provide clarification on how credit requirements can be applied to project-specific situations. They are part of the formal guidance offered by the USGBC and are meant to help project teams understand how to implement LEED credits in the context of their specific projects. It's important to use interpretations that are relevant to the specific credit being attempted and that were available at the time the project was registered, ensuring that the guidance aligns with the version of LEED under which the project is registered. Interpretations published after a project's registration date might contain new information or clarifications that were not considered at the time of registration and therefore may not be applicable to projects registered before their publication.