Pass the USGBC Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) LEED-AP-Homes Questions and answers with ExamsMirror

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)addresses minimum outdoor air ventilation in theIndoor Environmental Quality (EQ) Prerequisite: Ventilation, usingASHRAE Standard 62.2-2010to determine ventilation rates based on conditioned floor area and the number of bedrooms.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

EQ Prerequisite: Ventilation

Meet the minimum outdoor air ventilation requirements of ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2010, which calculates ventilation rates based on the conditioned floor area of the home and the number of bedrooms (as a proxy for occupancy). The formula is: Ventilation rate (cfm) = 0.01 × floor area (ft²) + 7.5 × (number of bedrooms + 1).

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

Ventilation rates are determined using ASHRAE 62.2-2010, based on conditioned floor area and the number of bedrooms, which accounts for typical occupancy levels.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

The correct answer isnumber of bedrooms(Option B), as ASHRAE 62.2-2010 uses this alongside conditioned floor area to calculate ventilation requirements.

Why not the other options?

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)outlines the requirements for theLocation and Transportation (LT) Credit: Site Selection, which includesOption 2: Infill Development. This credit encourages development on sites that minimize environmental impact by utilizing previously disturbed or developed land. For a site to qualify as infill development, a specific portion of its perimeter must border land that has been previously disturbed.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4), the requirement forOption 2: Infill Developmentis as follows:

Option 2. Infill Development (1 point)

Select a lot such that at least 75% of the perimeter of the project site immediately borders parcels that are previously developed or that have been graded or otherwise altered by direct human activities.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Location and Transportation Credit: Site Selection, p. 54.

This means that75% of the site’s perimetermust border previously disturbed land to meet the infill development criteria. The population of the town (10,000 in this case) does not directly affect the infill development requirement but may be relevant for other LT credits, such asAccess to Quality TransitorNeighborhood Pattern and Design, which consider community size or density. However, forSite Selection, Option 2, the focus is solely on the perimeter bordering previously disturbed land.

TheLEED v4.1 for Homesrating system aligns with this requirement, as it maintains the same infill development criteria for residential projects under the LT category:

LT Credit: Site Selection, Option 2. Infill Development

At least 75% of the project site’s perimeter must border previously developed or disturbed parcels.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

TheLEED AP Homes Candidate Handbookconfirms that the exam tests knowledge of theLEED v4rating system, including the LT credits, and references theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Constructionas a primary study resource. The handbook does not alter the technical requirements but emphasizes understanding credit intent and compliance paths, such as the infill development perimeter rule.

Why not the other options?

A. 25%: This is too low and does not meet the minimum threshold for infill development, which requires significant adjacency to previously disturbed land to ensure compact,sustainable development.

B. 50%: While closer, 50% still falls short of the 75% requirement, which is designed to prioritize sites fully integrated into existing developed areas.

D. 100%: Requiring 100% of the perimeter to border previously disturbed land is overly restrictive and not specified in the LEED v4 or v4.1 requirements.

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)requires a walk-through as part of theInnovation (IN) Prerequisite: Education of the Homeowner, Tenant, or Building Managerto educate occupants on the operation and maintenance of sustainable systems.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

IN Prerequisite: Education of the Homeowner, Tenant, or Building Manager

Conduct a minimum two-hour walk-through with the homeowner, including:

Identification of all installed equipment (e.g., HVAC, water heating systems).

Instruction on how to use and operate the equipment and green measures.

Information on how to maintain the equipment to ensure ongoing performance.Information on product return policies or rebates is not required.Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Innovation Prerequisite: Education of the Homeowner, Tenant, or Building Manager, p. 188.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

IN Prerequisite: Education of the Homeowner or Tenant

The walk-through must cover equipment identification, operation, and maintenance instructions, but does not include product return policies or rebates.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

The correct answer isinformation related to product return policies and rebates(Option D), as this is not a required component of the walk-through.

Why not the other options?

A. Identification of all installed equipment: This is required to familiarize occupants with sustainable systems.

B. Instruction in how to use the measures and operate the equipment: This is required to ensure proper operation.

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theEnergy and Atmosphere (EA) Credit: Space Heating and Cooling Equipment, which rewards the use of high-efficiency HVAC equipment that exceeds baseline standards.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

EA Credit: Space Heating and Cooling Equipment (1–4 points)

Install HVAC equipment that meets or exceeds the efficiency requirements of the ENERGY STAR for Homes program, Prescriptive Path, which specifies minimum efficiency ratings (e.g., SEER, AFUE) for heating and cooling systems.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Energy and Atmosphere Credit: Space Heating and Cooling Equipment, p. 128.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

EA Credit: Space Heating and Cooling Equipment

HVAC equipment must exceed the efficiency standards set by ENERGY STAR for Homes, Prescriptive Path, to earn points for improved energy performance.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

The correct answer isENERGY STAR for Homes, Prescriptive Path(Option A), as this is the benchmark for high-efficiency HVAC equipment in this credit.

Why not the other options?

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theLocation and Transportation (LT) Credit: Site Selection, which awards points for building on infill or previously developed sites to minimize environmental impact.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

LT Credit: Site Selection (1–3 points)

Option 1: Infill: At least 75% of the lot’s perimeter must border previously developed parcels (e.g., existing buildings or infrastructure).

Option 2: Previously Developed: The lot must have been previously altered by construction (e.g., a prior home covering a significant portion of the site) before the LEED project.A site with a previous home covering 78% of the lot qualifies as previously developed, but if only one side (25% of a square lot’s perimeter) borders a developed parcel, it does not meet the infill requirement.Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Location and Transportation Credit: Site Selection, p. 54.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

LT Credit: Site Selection

A site qualifies forOption 2: Previously Developedif it was previously altered (e.g., a home covering 78% of the lot). Infill requires 75% of the perimeter to border developed land, which a square lot with only one developed side (25%) does not meet.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

Evaluation:

Infill: The lot is square, with one side (25% of the perimeter) bordering a developed home. This does not meet the 75% perimeter requirement for infill.

Previously Developed: The previous home covered 78% of the lot, qualifying it as previously developed.

The correct answer isPreviously Developed only(Option B), as the site meets the criteria for Option 2 but not Option 1.

Why not the other options?

A. Infill only: The site does not meet the 75% perimeter requirement for infill (only 25% borders developed land).

C. Infill and Previously Developed: The site does not qualify for infill, so it cannot meet both options.

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theLocation and Transportation (LT) Credit: Site Selection, Option 3: Open Space, which encourages projects to be located near publicly accessible open spaces to promote recreation and environmental benefits.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

LT Credit: Site Selection, Option 3: Open Space (1 point)

Locate the project within a 1/2-mile (0.8-kilometer) walking distance of a publicly accessible open space that is at least 0.75 acre (0.3 hectare) in size. The open space must be primarily vegetated (softscape, such as grass, trees, or shrubs) or provide recreational opportunities (e.g., playgrounds, trails). Acceptable open spaces include parks, playgrounds, or nature preserves, but not water bodies or privately restricted areas.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Location and Transportation Credit: Site Selection, p. 55.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

LT Credit: Site Selection, Option 3: Open Space

The open space must be at least 0.75 acre (0.3 hectare), publicly accessible, and within 1/2 mile (0.8 km) of the project. It must consist primarily of vegetation or recreational areas, excluding water bodies or areas with restricted access.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

Evaluation of options:

A. 1/2 mi. (0.8 km) of a 3/4 acre (0.3 hectare) cornfield: A cornfield is agricultural land, not a publicly accessible recreational or vegetated open space as defined by LEED, so it does not qualify.

B. 3/4 mi. (1.2 km) of a publicly accessible park that is 3/4 acre (0.3 hectare) in size: The distance (3/4 mi.) exceeds the 1/2-mile (0.8 km) requirement, so it does not qualify.

C. 1/2 mi. (0.8 km) of a pond surrounded by a 1/2 acre (0.2 hectare) walkway, and across the street from a 1/4 acre (0.1 hectare) publicly accessible park: The pond is excluded (water bodies do not qualify), and the walkway (0.2 hectare) and park (0.1 hectare) together total 0.3 hectare (0.75 acre), meeting the size requirement within 1/2 mile. Assuming the walkway is vegetated or recreational, this qualifies.

D. 3/4 mi. (1.2 km) of a 1/4 acre (0.1 hectare) publicly accessible park, across the street from a 1/4 acre (0.1 hectare) lot which is private land open to the public: The distance (3/4 mi.) exceeds 1/2 mile, and the combined area (0.2 hectare) is below 0.3 hectare. Private land, even if publicly accessible, may not fully qualify without clear documentation.

The correct answer isOption C, as it meets the 1/2-mile distance and the combined 0.75-acre size requirement, assuming the walkway is vegetated or recreational.

TheLEED AP Homes Candidate Handbookemphasizes LT credits, including Site Selection, and references theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Constructionas a key resource. The exam is based onLEED v4, ensuring the relevance of open space criteria.

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?

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theLocation and Transportation (LT) Credit: Community Resources and Services, which awards points for locating a project near or integrating community services to reduce transportation needs, particularly in multi-family buildings.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

LT Credit: Community Resources and Services (1–2 points)

In multi-family buildings, provide access to community services (e.g., retail, grocery, pharmacy) within the development or within 1/4 mile (0.4 km) walking distance. Including retail on the street level of the development contributes to earning points by enhancing access to services for residents.

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

Providing retail on the street level of a multi-family building qualifies as a strategy to meet the credit by integrating community resources directly within the project, reducing resident travel.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

The correct answer isretail on the street level of the development(Option B), as this directly enhances access to community services, contributing to the credit’s requirements.

Why not the other options?

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)encourages the use of native plants in theSustainable Sites (SS) Credit: Site Development – Protect or Restore HabitatandWater Efficiency (WE) Credit: Outdoor Water Useto enhance environmental benefits, including support for local ecosystems.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

SS Credit: Site Development – Protect or Restore Habitat (1–2 points)

Using native plants in place of conventional turf grass increases native wildlife habitat by providing food, shelter, and breeding areas for local species, supporting biodiversity.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Sustainable Sites Credit: Site Development – Protect or Restore Habitat, p. 74.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

SS Credit: Site Development – Protect or Restore Habitat

Native plants enhance native wildlife habitat by creating ecosystems that support local fauna, unlike turf grass, which offers minimal ecological value.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

The correct answer isnative wildlife habitat(Option B), as native plants are adapted to local conditions and support indigenous species, unlike turf grass.

Why not the other options?

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theIndoor Environmental Quality (EQ) Credit: Enhanced Combustion Venting, which awards points for minimizing indoor air quality risks from combustion appliances, including fireplaces. Avoiding combustion appliances altogether is the most effective way to achieve the maximum credit.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

EQ Credit: Enhanced Combustion Venting (1 point)

To achieve the maximum credit, install no combustion appliances, including fireplaces, to eliminate the risk of combustion byproducts (e.g., carbon monoxide) entering the home. If fireplaces are installed, they must be direct-vented or power-vented with doors. EPA-certified woodstoves or factory-built fireplaces with catalytic combustors reduce emissions but do not achieve the maximum credit compared to no fireplace.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Indoor Environmental Quality Credit: Enhanced Combustion Venting, p. 144.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

EQ Credit: Enhanced Combustion Venting

The highest level of compliance is achieved by installing no combustion appliances, including fireplaces. If fireplaces are used, they must be sealed and vented, but avoiding fireplaces maximizes indoor air quality protection.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

The correct answer isinstall no fireplace(Option A), as this eliminates combustion risks entirely, achieving the maximum credit for Enhanced Combustion Venting.

Why not the other options?