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LEED-AP-Homes LEED AP Homes (Residential) Exam

  • USGBC
  • 5 free sample questions

About this exam

LEED-AP-Homes is the USGBC exam LEED AP Homes (Residential) Exam. Paid practice material for this exam is not available yet, but you can try its free sample questions.

Exam code
LEED-AP-Homes
Vendor
USGBC
Practice questions
Not available yet
Free sample questions
5
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Taken from the free sample set for LEED-AP-Homes.

Question 1

Points can be earned for Energy and Atmosphere Credit: Efficient Hot Water Distribution System,
Option 1 through which of the following measures?

  1. Option A:
    Limiting branch line length
  2. Option B:
    Installing central manifold distribution
  3. Option C:
    Installing demand-controlled recirculation
  4. Option D:
    Insulating all domestic hot water piping to R-4
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A

The LEED for Homes Rating System (v4) includes the Energy and Atmosphere (EA) Credit: Efficient
Hot Water Distribution System, which aims to reduce energy and water waste in hot water delivery.
Option 1: Length of Piping focuses on minimizing the length of hot water piping to reduce heat loss
and delivery time.
According to the LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):
EA Credit: Efficient Hot Water Distribution System, Option 1. Length of Piping (1–2 points)
Design and install the hot water distribution system to meet one of the following requirements:
Maximum branch line length: The length of any branch line from the water heater or hot water
source to any fixture must not exceed 20 feet (6 meters) for 1 point, or 10 feet (3 meters) for 2 points.
This reduces the volume of water that must be purged before hot water reaches the fixture, saving
energy and water.
Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Energy and Atmosphere
Credit: Efficient Hot Water Distribution System, p. 132.
The LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C rating system maintains this requirement:
EA Credit: Efficient Hot Water Distribution
Option 1: Limit the length of branch lines from the water heater to fixtures to 20 feet (6 meters) for 1
point or 10 feet (3 meters) for 2 points.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
Limiting branch line length (Option A) directly aligns with Option 1 of this credit, as it reduces the
distance hot water must travel, minimizing heat loss and water waste.
Why not the other options?
B . Installing central manifold distribution: This is part of Option 2: Central Manifold System in the
LEED v4 credit, where a manifold distributes hot water to fixtures with short branch lines (e.g., 1/2-
inch diameter pipes). It is a separate compliance path, not part of Option 1.
Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, EA Credit: Efficient Hot
Water Distribution System, p. 133.
C . Installing demand-controlled recirculation: This is part of Option 3: Demand-Controlled
Recirculation in LEED v4, where recirculation systems are activated only when hot water is needed
(e.g., via a button or motion sensor). It is not part of Option 1.
Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, EA Credit: Efficient Hot
Water Distribution System, p. 133.
D . Insulating all domestic hot water piping to R-4: While pipe insulation is a best practice and may be
required in some EA credits (e.g., EA Prerequisite: Minimum Energy Performance), it is not a specific
requirement for Option 1 of the Efficient Hot Water Distribution System credit. Insulation reduces
heat loss but does not address branch line length.
Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, EA Prerequisite: Minimum
Energy Performance, p. 112.
The LEED AP Homes Candidate Handbook emphasizes EA credits, including hot water distribution,
and references the LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction as a key resource. The
exam is based on LEED v4, ensuring the relevance of Option 1’s focus on branch line length.
References:
LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, USGBC, Energy and Atmosphere
Credit: Efficient Hot Water Distribution System, p. 132–133.
LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, USGBC LEED Credit Library, accessed via LEED Online
(https://www.usgbc.org/credits).
LEED AP Homes Candidate Handbook, GBCI, October 2024, p. 12 (references study resources and
exam scope based on LEED v4).
USGBC LEED for Homes Rating System (v4), available via USGBC website
(https://www.usgbc.org/resources/leed-homes-design-and-construction-v4).
LEED v4.1 for Homes, USGBC, accessed via LEED Online, confirming branch line length criteria.

Question 2

An existing home in a gut rehab LEED for Homes project reclaims all of the original framing. An
addition is built with 90% FSC-certified wood. Which credit, if any, under Materials and Resources,
will be earned?

  1. Option A:
    Construction Waste Management
  2. Option B:
    No credit will be awarded
  3. Option C:
    Material-Efficient Framing
  4. Option D:
    Environmentally Preferable Products
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: D

The LEED for Homes Rating System (v4) includes several credits under the Materials and Resources
(MR) category that encourage sustainable material use, including reclaimed materials and certified
wood. The scenario describes a gut rehab project that reclaims all original framing and builds an
addition with 90% FSC-certified wood. We need to determine which MR credit applies.
According to the LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4), the MR Credit:
Environmentally Preferable Products rewards the use of materials that have environmentally
beneficial attributes, such as reclaimed materials and FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)-certified
wood:
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 in the project:
Reused or salvaged materials: Materials that are reclaimed from the same or another project.
FSC-certified wood: Wood products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council for sustainable
forestry practices.
For gut rehab projects, reclaimed framing materials and FSC-certified wood in additions contribute to
the percentage of environmentally preferable products.
Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Materials and Resources
Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 160.
In this case:
Reclaimed framing: The gut rehab reclaims 100% of the original framing, which qualifies as reused or
salvaged materials under the credit.
FSC-certified wood: The addition uses 90% FSC-certified wood, which also qualifies as an
environmentally preferable product.
The LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C rating system aligns with this approach:
MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products
Projects earn points by using products that are salvaged, recycled, or FSC-certified for at least 25%,
50%, or 90% of the material cost. For renovations, salvaged framing and certified wood in additions
are eligible.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
Since the project uses both reclaimed framing (100% of the original) and 90% FSC-certified wood in
the addition, it meets the criteria for Environmentally Preferable Products, provided the combined
material cost meets the 25%, 50%, or 90% thresholds. The high percentage of FSC-certified wood and
full reclamation of framing make it likely to achieve at least one point.
Why not the other options?
A . Construction Waste Management: This credit focuses on diverting construction and demolition
waste from landfills through recycling or reuse (e.g., 50% or 75% diversion rates). While reclaimed
framing reduces waste, the credit is about waste management processes, not the use of reclaimed
materials in the building.
Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, MR Credit: Construction
Waste Management, p. 164.
B . No credit will be awarded: This is incorrect, as the use of reclaimed framing and FSC-certified
wood directly contributes to the Environmentally Preferable Products credit.
C . Material-Efficient Framing: This credit rewards practices that reduce framing material use, such as
advanced framing techniques (e.g., 24-inch on-center stud spacing) or minimizing waste during
design. Reclaiming framing or using FSC-certified wood does not address framing efficiency.
Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, MR Credit: Material-
Efficient Framing, p. 158.
The LEED AP Homes Candidate Handbook confirms that the exam tests MR credits, including
Environmentally Preferable Products, and references the LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design
and Construction as a primary resource. The exam is based on LEED v4, ensuring the relevance of this
credit.
References:
LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, USGBC, Materials and Resources
Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 160.
LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, USGBC LEED Credit Library, accessed via LEED Online
(https://www.usgbc.org/credits).
LEED AP Homes Candidate Handbook, GBCI, October 2024, p. 12 (references study resources and
exam scope based on LEED v4).
USGBC LEED for Homes Rating System (v4), available via USGBC website
(https://www.usgbc.org/resources/leed-homes-design-and-construction-v4).
LEED v4.1 for Homes, USGBC, accessed via LEED Online, confirming environmentally preferable
product criteria.
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