In order for a project to earn Innovation Credit, LEED AP for Homes, the LEED AP for Homes must be a principal member of the:
Project team and possess the credential prior to preliminary rating
Project team and possess the credential prior to project registration
Verification team and possess the credential prior to preliminary rating
Verification team and possess the credential prior to project registration
TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theInnovation (IN) Credit: LEED Accredited Professional, which awards a point for having a LEED AP for Homes as a principal member of the project team to guide sustainable design and certification.
According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):
IN Credit: LEED Accredited Professional (1 point)
At least one principal participant of the project team must be a LEED AP for Homes and hold the credential prior to project registration. The LEED AP must be actively involved in the project to ensure effective implementation of LEED strategies.
Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Innovation Credit: LEED Accredited Professional, p. 189.
TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:
IN Credit: LEED Accredited Professional
The LEED AP for Homes must be a principal member of the project team (not the verification team) and possess the credential before project registration to earn the credit.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
The correct answer isproject team and possess the credential prior to project registration(Option B), as this meets the credit’s requirements for the LEED AP’s role and timing.
Why not the other options?
A. Project team and possess the credential prior to preliminary rating: The credential must be held before project registration, not preliminary rating.
C. Verification team and possess the credential prior to preliminary rating: The LEED AP must be on the project team, not the verification team.
The first consideration in solar home design is to:
Select windows
Size solar shading
Incorporate thermal mass
Orient the building
TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)encourages passive solar design strategies in theEnergy and Atmosphere (EA)category, particularly inEA Credit: Optimize Energy PerformanceorEA Prerequisite: Minimum Energy Performance, to maximize energy efficiency through site and building design.
According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):
EA Credit: Optimize Energy Performance
The first step in solar home design is to orient the building to maximize solar exposure for passive heating, daylighting, and potential active solar systems. Proper orientation (e.g., south-facing in the Northern Hemisphere) optimizes energy performance before other strategies like window selection or shading.
Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Energy and Atmosphere Credit: Optimize Energy Performance, p. 118.
TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:
EA Credit: Optimize Energy Performance
Building orientation is the primary consideration in solar design, as it determines the effectiveness of passive solar strategies and energy efficiency measures.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
Thefirst considerationin solar home design is toorient the building(Option D), typically to maximize south-facing exposure (in the Northern Hemisphere) to optimize passive solar heating, daylighting, and solar energy potential.
Why not the other options?
Which of the following could be done to receive credit under Sustainable Sites Credit, Nontoxic Pest Control?
Treat all material with a borate product
Install landscaping within 24 in. (0.6 m) of home
Use treated wood for all wood-to-concrete connections
Treat all wood framing with a borate product to a minimum of 3 ft. (0.9 m) below foundation
TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theSustainable Sites (SS) Credit: Nontoxic Pest Control, which awards points for physical or nontoxic strategies to prevent pest entry, such as termites, without relying on chemical treatments unless specifically allowed.
According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):
SS Credit: Nontoxic Pest Control (1 point)
Use treated wood (e.g., pressure-treated or borate-treated) for all wood-to-concrete connections to prevent termite damage in a way that minimizes environmental impact compared to broad chemical treatments. This is considered a nontoxic or low-toxicity strategy for pest control.
Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Sustainable Sites Credit: Nontoxic Pest Control, p. 82.
TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:
SS Credit: Nontoxic Pest Control
Using treated wood for wood-to-concrete connections is an acceptable strategy to earn points by preventing pest access while minimizing chemical use.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via LEED Online.
The correct answer isuse treated wood for all wood-to-concrete connections(Option C), as this is a recognized nontoxic pest control strategy for the credit.
Why not the other options?
What is the purpose of Regional Priority Credits under the LEED for Homes v4 Rating System?
To provide additional points to projects depending on the building type
To equalize credit requirements in all locations
To identify difficult credit requirements, based on location
To enhance the ability of LEED project teams to address critical environmental issues for the project’s location
TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includesRegional Priority (RP) Creditsto incentivize projects to address environmental issues that are particularly critical in their specific geographic region.
According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):
Regional Priority Credits (1–4 points)
The purpose of Regional Priority Credits is to enhance the ability of LEED project teams to address critical environmental issues specific to the project’s location, such as water scarcity or habitat restoration, by providing bonus points for achieving designated credits that align with regional priorities.
Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Regional Priority Credits, p. 190.
TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:
Regional Priority Credits
RP Credits encourage projects to prioritize credits that address location-specific environmental challenges, offering up to four bonus points based on the project’s ZIP code or region.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
The correct answer isto enhance the ability of LEED project teams to address critical environmental issues for the project’s location(Option D), as this reflects the intent of RP credits to focus on regional environmental priorities.
Why not the other options?
A home is constructed less than 1/4 mi. (0.4 km) from a bank, supermarket, fire station, daycare center, pharmacy, and school. How many points, if any, did this project earn in Location and Transportation Credit, Community Resources and Services?
Zero points
One point
Two points
Three points
TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theLocation and Transportation (LT) Credit: Community Resources and Services, which awards points for locating a project near essential community services to reduce transportation-related environmental impacts.
According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):
LT Credit: Community Resources and Services (1–2 points)
Locate the project within 1/4 mile (0.4 kilometers) walking distance of at least 4 community services (e.g., bank, supermarket, fire station, daycare, pharmacy, school, etc.) for 1 point, or 8 or more services for 2 points. The services must be publicly accessible and within the specified distance.
Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Location and Transportation Credit: Community Resources and Services, p. 56.
TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:
LT Credit: Community Resources and Services
Earn 1 point for proximity to at least 4 community services within 1/4 mile (0.4 km), or 2 points for 8 or more services, measured by walking distance.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
The project is located within 1/4 mile (0.4 km) of six services: bank, supermarket, fire station, daycare center, pharmacy, and school. Since six services exceed the threshold of four but fall short of eight, the project earns2 points(Option C).
Why not the other options?
A. Zero points: The project meets the criteria for at least 1 point (four services), so zero points is incorrect.
B. One point: This applies to exactly four services; six services qualify for 2 points.
For a one-bedroom unit in a multi-family building, the minimum bathroom airflow requirement for intermittent local exhaust is:
25 cfm (11 lps)
50 cfm (23 lps)
1 cfm per ft² (5.08 lps per m²)
2 cfm per ft² (10.16 lps per m²)
TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)addresses bathroom ventilation requirements in theIndoor Environmental Quality (EQ) Prerequisite: Ventilation, which referencesASHRAE Standard 62.2-2010for minimum airflow rates in residential buildings, including multi-family units.
According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):
EQ Prerequisite: Ventilation
For intermittent local exhaust in bathrooms, ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2010 requires a minimum airflow rate of 50 cfm (23 lps) for each bathroom to effectively remove moisture and pollutants. This applies to all dwelling units, including one-bedroom units in multi-family buildings.
Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Indoor Environmental Quality Prerequisite: Ventilation, p. 142.
TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:
EQ Prerequisite: Ventilation
Intermittent local exhaust in bathrooms must provide at least 50 cfm (23 lps) per ASHRAE 62.2-2010 to ensure adequate ventilation in multi-family units.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
The correct answer is50 cfm (23 lps)(Option B), as this is the minimum airflow requirement for intermittent bathroom exhaust in a one-bedroom unit per ASHRAE 62.2-2010.
Why not the other options?
A home in climate zone 2’s window-to-floor area ratio increases from 10% to 30%. What is necessary to qualify for the Energy and Atmosphere Credit Windows?
Less stringent U-factor requirement
More stringent U-factor requirement
Less stringent solar heat gain coefficient
More stringent solar heat gain coefficient
TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theEnergy and Atmosphere (EA) Credit: Windows, which sets performance requirements for windows to ensure energy efficiency, particularly in climates like zone 2 (hot, humid). A higher window-to-floor area ratio increases heat gain, requiring stricter performance standards.
According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):
EA Credit: Windows (1–3 points)
In climate zone 2, for a window-to-floor area ratio exceeding 24% (or significantly increased, e.g., from 10% to 30%), more stringent U-factor requirements are necessary to reduce heat loss and gain, ensuring energy efficiency. The U-factor must be lower to compensate for the larger glazing area.
Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Energy and Atmosphere Credit: Windows, p. 122.
TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:
EA Credit: Windows
For higher window-to-floor area ratios (e.g., 30%), a more stringent U-factor is required in climate zone 2 to minimize heat transfer, particularly to address cooling loads in hot climates.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
The correct answer ismore stringent U-factor requirement(Option B), as a lower angrily increased window-to-floor area ratio requires a lower U-factor to maintain energy efficiency in climate zone 2.
Why not the other options?
An effective design strategy to reduce outdoor water consumption is using:
Only drip irrigation on impermeable surfaces
ENERGY STAR-certified irrigation equipment
Sprinkler systems with minimum reach of 10 ft. (3 m)
Native and adapted plants
TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)addresses outdoor water use in theWater Efficiency (WE) Credit: Outdoor Water Use, which promotes strategies to reduce irrigation needs, particularly through plant selection.
According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):
WE Credit: Outdoor Water Use (1–4 points)
Use native or adapted plants with low water requirements to reduce outdoor water consumption. These plants are suited to the local climate and require less irrigation compared to conventional turf or non-native species.
Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Water Efficiency Credit: Outdoor Water Use, p. 98.
TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:
WE Credit: Outdoor Water Use
Selecting native and adapted plants is an effective strategy to minimize irrigation needs, contributing to points by reducing outdoor water consumption.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
The correct answer isnative and adapted plants(Option D), as these reduce irrigation demand by being well-suited to local conditions, directly aligning with the credit’s intent.
Why not the other options?