USGBC Updated LEED-AP-Homes Exam Questions and Answers by kenza

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theSustainable Sites (SS) Credit: Rainwater Management, which aims to reduce stormwater runoff and its environmental impacts through on-site management strategies.

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

SS Credit: Rainwater Management (1–3 points)

Manage stormwater runoff through strategies such as directing runoff to permanent infiltration features (e.g., rain gardens, permeable paving, or bioswales) to reduce the volume and rate of runoff entering storm sewers.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Sustainable Sites Credit: Rainwater Management, p. 76.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

SS Credit: Rainwater Management

Directing rainwater runoff to permanent infiltration features, such as rain gardens or infiltration trenches, contributes to credit achievement by promoting on-site retention and reducing stormwater discharge.

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

The correct answer isdirect rainwater runoff toward an appropriate permanent infiltration feature(Option B), as this directly reduces runoff volume, aligning with the credit’s intent.

Why not the other options?

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 theWater Efficiency (WE) Prerequisite: Total Water Use, which requires metering to monitor water consumption in LEED-certified homes, even those using well water.

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

WE Prerequisite: Total Water Use

Install water meters to measure total potable water use for the entire home, including indoor and outdoor uses. For multifamily or attached housing (e.g., semi-detached homes), each dwelling unit must have its own water meter to track individual usage accurately.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Water Efficiency Prerequisite: Total Water Use, p. 94.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

WE Prerequisite: Total Water Use

In attached housing projects, such as semi-detached homes, each unit must have a separate water meter to monitor potable water use, regardless of whether the water source is municipal or well water.

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

For two semi-detached homes using well water, the builder mustinstall two water meters for each unit separately(Option A) to comply with the prerequisite, ensuring individual monitoring of water use for each dwelling unit.

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?