Question 1

In any climate, placing a house with a large wall of unshaded windows facing ____ will significantly increase the cooling load.

Accepted Answer

A large wall of unshaded windows facing west will increase the cooling load because it receives intense afternoon sun, leading to higher indoor temperatures.

Question 2

Environmentally sensitive lands include land within ____ of any body of water.

Accepted Answer

Environmentally sensitive lands typically include land within 100 feet of any body of water. This buffer zone is often established to protect water quality, provide habitat for wildlife, and reduce erosion and sedimentation.

Question 3

Sites with 25% or less of the property boundary adjacent to existing development are considered ____ developments.

Accepted Answer

Sites with 25% or less of the property boundary adjacent to existing development are considered edge developments because they are located on the edge of developed areas.

Question 4

The price tag on ____ sites may be larger because of additional regulatory requirements and costs for demolition, soil remediation, and additional permitting or legal requirements.

Accepted Answer

Infill sites often come with higher costs due to the need for demolition of existing structures, soil remediation, and navigating additional permitting or legal requirements, unlike greenfield sites which are undeveloped and do not have these complications.

Question 5

Mixed-use buildings contain a ____ that is typically on the ground level.

Accepted Answer

Mixed-use buildings often feature a commercial component on the ground level, such as retail stores, restaurants, or offices, to engage with the street life and provide services to both the residents and the surrounding community.

Question 6

____ is the removal of solids (i.e., sediment, soil, rock, and other particles) by wind, water, or ice in the natural environment

Accepted Answer

Erosion is the process through which solids such as sediment, soil, rock, and other particles are removed from one location and transported to another by agents like wind, water, or ice.

Question 7

____ is the flow of water that results from precipitation following rainfall or as a result of snowmelt.

Accepted Answer

The answer of ____ is the flow of water that...

Question 8

Stormwater pollution control is regulated by the Clean Water Act amendments of 1987. The amendments authorized the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to expand the ____ program to cover storm water discharges.

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is B) National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System. The Clean Water Act amendments of 1987 authorized the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to expand the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program to cover stormwater discharges, which are a significant source of water pollution.

Question 9

The primary method to control stormwater discharges is the use of ____.

Accepted Answer

BMPs, or Best Management Practices, are the primary method used to control stormwater discharges. These practices include a range of techniques and strategies for water pollution control, particularly aimed at reducing or eliminating contaminants in stormwater runoff.

Question 10

Whenever possible, permanent storm water systems should be designed and implemented to ____ stormwater.

Accepted Answer

Permanent storm water systems are often designed to capture and reuse stormwater, which is a sustainable approach to managing water resources. This method helps in reducing runoff, preventing flooding, and conserving water by reusing it for various purposes such as irrigation and industrial processes.

Question 11

Excess nutrients from fertilizer runoff can cause ____ in which the algae population of an aquatic system grows exponentially within a short time period.

Accepted Answer

Algal blooms occur when excess nutrients, such as those from fertilizer runoff, lead to a rapid increase in the population of algae in an aquatic system.

Question 12

Typically defined as having a grade of ____% or greater, steep slopes present serious erosion challenges and should be left undeveloped whenever possible.

Accepted Answer

Steep slopes are typically defined as having a grade of 25% or greater, which can lead to significant erosion issues if developed.

Question 13

The practice of designing a home to utilize the sun's energy for heating and cooling is called ____ solar design.

Accepted Answer

Passive solar design involves the use of a building's windows, walls, and floors to collect, store, and distribute solar energy in the form of heat in the winter and reject solar heat in the summer without the use of mechanical and electrical devices.

Question 14

Passive solar uses natural methods of ____ and does not employ mechanical equipment.

Accepted Answer

Passive solar design utilizes natural heat flow to maintain comfortable temperatures without mechanical equipment.

Question 15

Although a true ____ exposure is desired to maximize solar contribution, it is neither mandatory nor always feasible.

Accepted Answer

A southern exposure is typically desired to maximize solar contribution because it allows for the most direct sunlight throughout the day, especially in the Northern Hemisphere.

Question 16

The ____ effect is the buildup of heat in an interior space caused by energy input through a transparent membrane (such as glass) and is why homes heat up on sunny days.

Accepted Answer

The correct term is the "greenhouse effect," which describes the process of solar radiation passing through a transparent medium (like glass) and warming a space, similar to how a greenhouse works.

Question 17

A(n) ____ is an architectural feature that protects glazing from the sun.

Accepted Answer

An overhang is designed to shade and protect windows and other glazing elements from the sun, reducing heat gain inside a building.

Question 18

Plants cool the air through ____.

Accepted Answer

Plants cool the air through evapotranspiration, which is the process of water evaporating from the leaves of plants.

Question 19

According to the U.S. Green Building Council, a 100% increase in the size of a home yields an increase in annual energy usage of anywhere from ____, depending on the design, location, and occupants.

Accepted Answer

Doubling the size of a home can lead to a 15% to 50% increase in annual energy usage, as this range accounts for variations in design, location, and how the occupants use the home.

Question 20

Such techniques as altering ceiling heights, introduction of ____, construction of alcoves, and similar concepts can make a small house feel larger and frequently much more comfortable to live in than a large home.

Accepted Answer

Natural light is a technique used to make a small house feel larger and more comfortable, as it opens up spaces and brings in the outdoors, enhancing the perception of space.

Quiz 3: Planning for Green From the Start