LEED AP Building Design and Construction (BD+C) Practice Exam

What is one of the three options to achieve IEQ Credit Daylight?

1. Visual comfort analysis

2. Spatial daylight autonomy simulations

3. Thermal comfort calculations

4. Air quality assessment

The correct answer is: Spatial daylight autonomy simulations

Achieving the Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) Credit for Daylight primarily involves ensuring that building occupants have adequate access to natural light. Spatial daylight autonomy simulations are a key method for demonstrating that a substantial portion of a building's occupied spaces receive sufficient daylight during a typical occupancy period. This simulation technique analyzes the amount of daylight that penetrates into the interior spaces and helps to evaluate design strategies for maximizing natural light, thereby promoting a beneficial indoor environment. Utilizing these simulations enables project teams to assess various design elements such as window size and placement, shading devices, and building orientation. By effectively illustrating daylight availability, the simulation supports the overall goal of improving occupant comfort and well-being through enhanced access to natural light, which is essential for earning the IEQ Credit Daylight. Visual comfort analysis, while also relevant to daylighting, focuses more on how light is perceived by occupants rather than on the amount of daylight received. Thermal comfort calculations and air quality assessments do not directly pertain to daylighting strategies and hence are not suitable methods for achieving this specific credit.