USGBC LEED AP Homes (Residential) Exam LEED-AP-Homes Exam Dumps: Updated Questions & Answers (October 2025)

The question references an "Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite" for education, which appears to be a misnomer, as theLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes this requirement under theInnovation (IN) Prerequisite: Education of the Homeowner, Tenant, or Building Manager. This prerequisite ensures occupants receive materials to understand and maintain the home’s sustainable features.

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

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

Provide an operations and maintenance manual to the homeowner or tenant, including product manuals for installed equipment (e.g., HVAC, water heating systems) and information on the operation and maintenance of green features.

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

An operations and maintenance manual must be provided to occupants, detailing the function, operation, and maintenance of sustainable systems and equipment in the home.

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

The correct answer isoperations and maintenance manual(Option B), as this is the required written material to comply with the prerequisite.

Why not the other options?

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)requires third-party verification for prerequisites and credits, with specific roles defined for the verification team. TheLEED Green Rateris responsible for conducting field inspections to verify compliance.

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

Verification Process

The LEED Green Rater, a trained professional certified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), conducts field inspections to verify compliance with LEED for Homes prerequisites and credits, including energy, water, and indoor environmental quality measures.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Introduction, p. 28.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

Verification Process

The LEED Green Rater performs on-site inspections to ensure that the project meets all prerequisites and targeted credits, documenting compliance for certification.

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

The correct answer isLEED Green Rater(Option D), as this team member is responsible for field inspections of LEED prerequisites and credits.

Why not the other options?

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

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%, 50%, or 90% (by cost) of the total materials. Reclaimed materials include items like vintage fixtures (e.g., bathtubs) that 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 fixtures like a vintage clawfoot bathtub, 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 isvintage clawfoot bathtub(Option A), as it is a salvaged fixture reused in its original form, qualifying as a reclaimed material under the credit.

Why not the other options?

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includesRegional Priority (RP) Credits, which provide bonus points for achieving existing credits identified as environmentally significant for a project’s region. For credits with multiple thresholds, exemplary performance can earn additional points.

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

Regional Priority Credits (1–4 points)

Regional Priority Credits are awarded for achieving designated credits that address location-specific environmental priorities. For credits with multiple thresholds (e.g., Water Efficiency Credit: Outdoor Water Use), an additional bonus point is awarded when the maximum threshold has been exceeded, demonstrating exemplary performance.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Regional Priority Credits, p. 190; Innovation Credit: Innovation, p. 190.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

Regional Priority Credits

When an RP credit has multiple thresholds, a project earns the bonus point by meeting the base credit requirements, and an additional point may be earned for exemplary performance by exceeding the maximum threshold of the underlying credit.

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

The correct answer ispoints are awarded when the maximum threshold has been exceeded(Option C), as RP credits with multiple thresholds award bonus points for exemplary performance beyond the highest threshold.

Why not the other options?

A. Points are awarded at the minimum threshold: RP credits require achieving the base credit, not just the minimum threshold.

B. Points are awarded at the maximum threshold: Points are awarded for exceeding the maximum threshold, not just meeting it.

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)addresses shower compartments in theWater Efficiency (WE) Credit: Indoor Water Use, where the size and number of showerheads impact water use calculations.

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

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

A shower compartment is defined as an enclosed area with a floor area of no more than 2,500 in² (1.6 m²), where all fixtures (e.g., multiple showerheads) count as a single fixture for water use calculations. Compartments larger than 2,500 in² are considered multiple compartments, and multiple showerheads in such cases are not allowed for LEED compliance to ensure water efficiency.

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

For shower compartments exceeding 2,500 in² (1.6 m²), multiple showerheads are not permitted to maintain water efficiency goals. Each compartment must be treated separately if applicable, but large compartments cannot have multiple heads.

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

The shower compartment is 3,750 in² (2.4 m²), exceeding the 2,500 in² limit. Therefore,multiple showerheads are not allowed(Option C), as LEED restricts multiple heads in oversized compartments to ensure water efficiency.

Why not the other options?

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)awards points for theMaterials and Resources (MR) Credit: Environmentally Preferable Productswhen materials, including insulation, meet sustainable criteria such as being reclaimed or salvaged. The credit calculates compliance based on the percentage of total material cost.

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, such as reclaimed insulation.For specific material categories like insulation, at least 90% of the insulation (by cost) must be reclaimed, salvaged, or meet other environmentally preferable criteria to contribute significantly to the credit.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

To earn points, insulation must meet environmentally preferable criteria (e.g., 90% reclaimed or salvaged by cost) to contribute to the overall material cost percentage (25%, 50%, or 90%).

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

For insulation to contribute to earning a point under this credit, aminimum of 90%(by cost) must be reclaimed or salvaged (Option C), aligning with the credit’s threshold for significant material contributions.

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)outlines the requirements for theMaterials and Resources (MR) Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, which encourages the use of sustainable materials. The credit has two options:Option 1: Local Production(materials sourced within 100 miles) andOption 2: Environmentally Preferable Products(materials with attributes like recycled content, FSC-certified wood, or low emissions).

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

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

Earn points by meeting the following:

Option 2: Environmentally Preferable Products: 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:

Recycled content

FSC-certified wood

Bio-based materials

Low-emission products (e.g., low-VOC paints)To earn 1 point, at least 25% of the materials (by cost) must meet two or more of these criteria.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

For 1 point, use products that meet two or more environmentally preferable criteria (e.g., recycled content, FSC-certified) for at least 25% of the total material cost.

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

To earnone pointunder Option 2, the project must use materials that collectively meettwo or moreof the environmentally preferable criteria (e.g., a product with both recycled content and low emissions) for at least 25% of the total material cost. This makesOption Bthe correct answer.

Why not the other options?

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theEnergy and Atmosphere (EA) Credit: Renewable Energy, which awards points based on the percentage of annual energy use offset by on-site renewable energy systems, such as photovoltaic (PV) systems.

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

EA Credit: Renewable Energy (1–4 points)

Install on-site renewable energy systems to offset a percentage of the home’s annual energy use. Points are awarded as follows:

1 point: 0.5 kW or 5% of annual energy use.

2 points: 1.0 kW or 10% of annual energy use.

3 points: 1.5 kW or 15% of annual energy use.

4 points: 2.0 kW or 20% of annual energy use.The kW values are for photovoltaic systems and assume typical production rates (e.g., 1 kW ≈ 1,500 kWh/year).Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Energy and Atmosphere Credit: Renewable Energy, p. 138.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

EA Credit: Renewable Energy

Points are awarded based on the installed capacity of PV systems (e.g., 2.0 kW for 4 points) or the percentage of energy offset, whichever is higher. A 2000 kWh system (approximately 2.0 kW) qualifies for 4 points.

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

The question states a 1000 kWh PV system earns 2 points, corresponding to approximately 1.0 kW (assuming 1 kW ≈ 1,500 kWh/year). A 2000 kWh system is approximately 2.0 kW (2000 ÷ 1500 ≈ 1.33 kW, but conservatively aligned with the 2.0 kW threshold in LEED), which earns4 points(Option D).

Why not the other options?

A. One point: This corresponds to 0.5 kW, far below a 2000 kWh system.

B. Two points: This is the baseline for a 1000 kWh (1.0 kW) system, not 2000 kWh.