Free USGBC LEED-AP-Homes Practice Exam with Questions & Answers | Set: 3

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)encourages planning for energy-efficient and sustainable technologies during the design phase, particularly for significant electrical loads that impact infrastructure, as addressed in credits likeEnergy and Atmosphere (EA) Credit: Optimize Energy Performance.

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

EA Credit: Optimize Energy Performance

Design the home to accommodate high-efficiency systems and emerging technologies, such as electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, which require dedicated electrical capacity (e.g., 240-volt circuits) and planning during the design phase to ensure adequate panel capacity and conduit placement.

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

Electric vehicle charging stations require special consideration in the design phase, including dedicated circuits and infrastructure to support high-voltage, high-amperage loads, ensuring future scalability and energy efficiency.

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

Anelectric vehicle charging station(Option D) requires special consideration during the design phase due to its high power demand (typically 240 volts, 30–50 amps), necessitating dedicated circuits, panel capacity upgrades, and potential conduit or wiring planning to avoid costly retrofits.

Why not the other options?

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)awards points for theMaterials and Resources (MR) Credit: Environmentally Preferable Productswhen products are reclaimed (reused or salvaged from another project), contributing to the required percentage of material cost (e.g., 25% for 1 point).

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

MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products (1–4 points)

Use products that are reused or salvaged from the same or another project for at least 25% (by cost) of the total materials to earn 1 point. Reclaimed products include salvaged architectural elements like stained glass windows, which are reused in their original form.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Materials and Resources Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 160.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products

Reclaimed materials, such as salvaged stained glass windows, qualify for points if they contribute to the required material cost percentage (e.g., 25% for 1 point).

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

The correct answer isstained glass window(Option A), as it is a salvaged architectural element commonly reused in its original form, qualifying as a reclaimed material under the credit.

Why not the other options?

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)awards points for theMaterials and Resources (MR) Credit: Environmentally Preferable Productswhen materials meet sustainable criteria, such as being reclaimed, recycled, or FSC-certified. The scenario specifies that 50% of the exterior is clad with salvaged (reclaimed) brick, and the remaining 50% is wood.

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

MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products (1–4 points)

Use products that meet one or more of the following criteria for at least 25% (1 point), 50% (2 points), or 90% (3–4 points) by cost of the total materials:

Reused or salvaged materials: Materials reclaimed from the same or another project, such as salvaged brick.

FSC-certified wood: Wood products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.To earn 1 point, at least 25% of the total material cost must meet one or more criteria, with products like salvaged brick qualifying as reclaimed.Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Materials and Resources Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 160–161.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products

Reclaimed materials, such as salvaged brick, contribute to the percentage of environmentally preferable products based on their cost. A minimum of 25% by cost is required for 1 point.

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

In this scenario, 50% of the exterior cladding is salvaged brick, which qualifies as reclaimed material. Sinceat least half of the siding is reclaimed(Option C), this meets the 25% threshold for 1 point, assuming the material cost proportion aligns. The wood portion does not need to be FSC-certified or reclaimed unless additional points are targeted.

Why not the other options?

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, particularly in areas with high pest activity like termites, without relying on chemical treatments.

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

SS Credit: Nontoxic Pest Control (1 point)

Employ physical barriers to prevent pest entry, such as installing code-approved termite barriers (e.g., physical shields or mesh) around foundations to protect against termite infestation in a nontoxic manner.

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

Installing a code-approved termite barrier is a recognized strategy to earn points by preventing termite access without chemical treatments, suitable for areas with heavy infestation.

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

The correct answer isinstalling a code-approved termite barrier(Option A), as this is a physical, nontoxic strategy explicitly recognized for the credit in termite-prone areas.

Why not the other options?

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theIndoor Environmental Quality (EQ) Credit: Radon Control, which promotes radon-resistant construction techniques to mitigate the health risks of radon gas, a naturally occurring radioactive gas that can accumulate in homes.

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

EQ Credit: Radon Control (1 point)

Install a passive or active radon-resistant system, including a vent pipe extending from below the foundation (e.g., sub-slab or crawlspace) to the roof to exhaust radon gases before they enter the home. This is a primary radon-resistant construction technique.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Indoor Environmental Quality Credit: Radon Control, p. 150.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

EQ Credit: Radon Control

A vent pipe to exhaust gases from under the home (e.g., sub-slab depressurization system) is a key radon-resistant technique, preventing radon entry into living spaces.

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

The correct answer isvent pipe to exhaust gases from under the home(Option A), as this is a standard radon-resistant technique, typically involving a sub-slab depressurization system with a vent pipe.

Why not the other options?

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)awards points for theMaterials and Resources (MR) Credit: Environmentally Preferable Productsfor using materials with sustainable attributes, such as reused or salvaged materials. In a gut rehab project, maintaining existing exterior wall and floor framing qualifies these components as reused materials.

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

MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products (1–4 points)

Use products that meet one or more of the following criteria for at least 25%, 50%, or 90% (by cost) of the total materials:

Reused or salvaged materials: Materials that are reclaimed from the same or another project, such as existing framing maintained in a gut rehab.In gut rehab projects, existing structural components (e.g., wall and floor framing) that are reused in place qualify as reclaimed materials.Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Materials and Resources Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 160.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products

Reclaimed materials, such as existing framing reused in gut rehab projects, contribute to the percentage of environmentally preferable products based on their cost.

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

The termreclaimed(Option B) is used in LEED to describe materials that are reused or salvaged, such as existing framing kept in place during a gut rehab. This reduces the demand for new materials and aligns with the credit’s intent.

Why not the other options?

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)addresses indoor water use in theWater Efficiency (WE) Credit: Indoor Water Use, which focuses on reducing water consumption through efficient plumbing fixtures (e.g., toilets, faucets, showerheads). Understanding the contribution of fixtures to total indoor water use is key to this credit.

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

WE Credit: Indoor Water Use (1–6 points)

In a typical single-family home, plumbing fixtures (toilets, showerheads, and faucets) account for approximately two-thirds (2/3) of total indoor water use. Installing high-efficiency fixtures can significantly reduce water consumption.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Water Efficiency Credit: Indoor Water Use, p. 96.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

WE Credit: Indoor Water Use

Plumbing fixtures typically represent about 2/3 of indoor water use in single-family homes, making their efficiency critical for achieving water savings.

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

The correct answer is2/3(Option C), as plumbing fixtures account for approximately two-thirds of a typical single-family home’s indoor water use.

Why not the other options?

A. 1/3: This underestimates the contribution of plumbing fixtures, which are the primary indoor water users.

B. 1/2: This is closer but still underestimates the typical proportion (2/3).

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theThermal Enclosure System Checklistas part of theEnergy and Atmosphere (EA) Prerequisite: Minimum Energy Performance, ensuring the building envelope meets energy efficiency standards.

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

EA Prerequisite: Minimum Energy Performance

The Thermal Enclosure System Checklist verifies the continuity of air barriers and the quality of insulation installation to minimize heat loss and air leakage, ensuring energy efficiency. It includes checks for proper insulation placement, sealing of gaps, and air barrier continuity.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite: Minimum Energy Performance, p. 112.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

EA Prerequisite: Energy Performance

The primary purpose of the Thermal Enclosure Checklist is to inspect the continuity of air barriers and the quality of insulation installation to achieve a high-performance building envelope.

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

The correct answer isinspect continuity of air barriers and quality of insulation installation(Option B), as this is the primary purpose of the checklist.

Why not the other options?

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)addresses window performance in theEnergy and Atmosphere (EA) Credit: Windows, where a lower U-factor (thermal transmittance) improves energy efficiency by reducing heat loss or gain.

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

EA Credit: Windows (1–3 points)

Use windows with a lower U-factor to reduce energy use by minimizing heat transfer through the glazing, improving the home’s thermal performance and reducing heating and cooling loads.

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

A lower window U-factor reduces energy use by decreasing heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer, contributing to overall energy efficiency.

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

The correct answer isreduced energy use(Option B), as a lower U-factor directly improves the home’s energy performance by reducing thermal transfer.

Why not the other options?