According to the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning National Contractors Association (SMACNA) Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) Guidelines for Occupied Buildings under Construction, the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) as determined by ASHRAE 52.2-2007 required for renovation activities is MERV 13. This requirement is in place to ensure that the air filtration systems used during renovation activities are capable of capturing fine particles, thus reducing the risk of indoor air quality issues. MERV 13 filters are efficient at capturing particles that are 0.3 to 1.0 micrometers in size, including dust, pollen, mold spores, bacteria, and any other airborne contaminants that might be present during construction activities.References:SMACNA IAQ Guidelines for Occupied Buildings Under Construction, 2nd Edition 2007; ASHRAE Standard 52.2-2007, "Method of Testing General Ventilation Air-Cleaning Devices for Removal Efficiency by Particle Size."

For the Location and Transportation Credit, Alternative Transportation, Option 1, all building visitors should be invited to participate in the transportation survey during the survey period. This requirement ensures that the survey data accurately reflects the transportation patterns of not only the regular building occupants but also the visitors, providing a comprehensive view of transportation choices associated with the building.References:LEED AP Operations + Maintenance Reference Guide, Location and Transportation section.

Telecommuting is considered an alternative commuting method that reduces the number of commuting trips, thus contributing to the Location and Transportation Credit, Alternative Transportation. It aligns with LEED’s goal to decrease transportation-related emissions by reducing the need for physical travel.

References: The LEED AP O+M Reference Guide details the inclusion of telecommuting as a viable alternative commuting method that can be accounted for in the Alternative Transportation credit1.

In calculating the Location and Transportation Credit, Alternative Transportation, trips avoided due to telecommuting can be included as an alternative commuting method. Telecommuting reduces the need for physical travel to the workplace, thereby decreasing the environmental impacts associated with transportation, such as greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption. This method aligns with the goals of LEED to promote sustainable transportation options and reduce the carbon footprint of commuting.

References:The inclusion of telecommuting as a viable alternative commuting method is outlined in the LEED AP Operations + Maintenance reference materials, particularly in the section on Location and Transportation Credit, Alternative Transportation. These guidelines emphasize the importance of reducing transportation-related impacts through alternative commuting strategies.

Buildings account for 40% of total energy use in the U.S., according to the U.S.Environmental Protection Agency1.This is consistent with the global estimate by the International Energy Agency, which states that buildings and construction sector accounted for 36% of final energy use in 20182.

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

Buildings are one of the primary consumers of energy worldwide, and they account for a significant percentage of total energy use. The correct percentage is 40%, which encompasses energy used for heating, cooling, lighting, and operating buildings. This figure reflects the extensive impact that building design, construction, and operations have on energy consumption and the potential for energy savings in this sector.

References:

• The figure that buildings account for 40% of total energy use is a commonly cited statistic in the field of sustainability and is mentioned in LEED training materials and documentation. It is a crucial factor that drives the Energy and Atmosphere (EA) category within the LEED rating systems, pushing for strategies that reduce energy consumption and improve building energy performance.

The LEED AP O+M Reference Guide states that “If a meter fails during the performanceperiod, the project team must extend the performance period to obtain the required three months of data.” Therefore, the best advice is to extend the performance period to gain the full three months of weekly water meter readings.

References:

• LEED AP O+M Reference Guide, Water Efficiency Credit, Water Metering, page 114
• LEED QUALIFICATION GUIDE - v4 - Sloan, page 2
• Building-Level Water Metering and Water Metering | LEEDuser

For a mobile home, especially one built in a major city, the most appropriate LEED rating system to use would be LEED for Homes. This is because ASHRAE 90.1 and associated LEED rating systems typically exclude low-rise residential buildings, which include single-family houses, multifamily structures of three stories or fewer above grade, and manufactured houses (modular or mobile homes). Since the mobile home in question falls under the category of manufactured houses, it would be more fitting to pursue LEED for Homes certification, which is designed to cater to residential projects.References:Information derived from the ASHRAE 90.1-2013 User's Manual indicates the exclusion of low-rise residential buildings, including manufactured houses, from the standard's scope .

 The LEED AP Operations + Maintenance (LEED AP O+M) V4.1 rewards customers who change their normal consumption patterns in response to the varying price of energy over time under the Energy and Atmosphere Credit, Demand Response. This credit encourages building owners and operators to participate in demand response programs which aim to shift the timing of energy use to off-peak periods when demand on the grid is lower. This helps to reduce the strain on the grid during peak demand periods, potentially avoiding the need for additional power plants.

References: LEED v4: Building Operations + Maintenance Guide, LEED AP with specialty, LEED certification for existing buildings and spaces, LEED AP O+M Exam, Building Operations & Maintenance - Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC)