Final answer:
The correct answer is B. Square footage of the building. The square footage of the building impacts the cost of earning LEED-certification.
Step-by-step explanation:
The factor that impacts the cost of earning LEED-certification is b) Square footage of the building.
LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a certification program that focuses on environmentally friendly and sustainable building practices. The square footage of the building plays a significant role in the cost of earning LEED certification. This is because the certification process involves various assessments and evaluations, including energy efficiency, water usage, materials used, and indoor environmental quality. A larger building would typically require more resources and systems to meet these criteria, leading to higher costs.
For example, a 10,000-square-foot building might require a certain number of energy-efficient windows, HVAC systems, and renewable energy sources to meet LEED certification standards. Conversely, a smaller building with 5,000 square feet would require fewer resources and systems, resulting in lower costs.