LEED AP with Operations and Maintenance (O+M ) Practice Exam

The water efficiency credits can provide the most significant savings to:

1. Labor costs

2. Water costs

3. Energy costs

4. Maintenance costs

The correct answer is: Energy costs

The assertion that water efficiency credits provide the most significant savings to energy costs is somewhat misleading in the context of evaluating the direct savings associated with water efficiency initiatives. In reality, water efficiency credits primarily target reductions in water usage, which directly impacts water costs. When a facility reduces its water consumption through conservation measures, it results in lower utility bills associated with water supply and wastewater treatment. While it is true that water efficiency can have indirect benefits on energy costs—considering that a substantial amount of energy is used to pump, heat, and treat water—the primary focus and immediate financial benefits come from decreased water costs. Implementing water-efficient systems such as low-flow fixtures, smart irrigation systems, and rainwater harvesting reduces the overall demand for water, leading to direct savings in the cost of water purchased. In terms of maintenance costs, while there may be some reductions due to less wear on plumbing systems, the correlation is not as strong as with water costs. Labor costs may not see significant savings solely due to improvements in water efficiency either, although overall operational practices may play a role in labor management. Understanding these relationships highlights the importance of focusing on the immediate and direct savings from water costs as the primary benefit of water efficiency credits.