Get US Green Building Council LEED-AP-Homes Exam Practice Questions - Real and Updated

Answer : D

The LEED for Homes Rating System (v4) encourages passive solar design strategies in the Energy and Atmosphere (EA) category, particularly in EA Credit: Optimize Energy Performance or EA Prerequisite: Minimum Energy Performance, to maximize energy efficiency through site and building design.

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

EA Credit: Optimize Energy Performance

The first step in solar home design is to orient the building to maximize solar exposure for passive heating, daylighting, and potential active solar systems. Proper orientation (e.g., south-facing in the Northern Hemisphere) optimizes energy performance before other strategies like window selection or shading.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Energy and Atmosphere Credit: Optimize Energy Performance, p. 118.

The LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C rating system confirms:

EA Credit: Optimize Energy Performance

Building orientation is the primary consideration in solar design, as it determines the effectiveness of passive solar strategies and energy efficiency measures.

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

The first consideration in solar home design is to orient the building (Option D), typically to maximize south-facing exposure (in the Northern Hemisphere) to optimize passive solar heating, daylighting, and solar energy potential.

Why not the other options?

A . Select windows: Window selection follows orientation, as it depends on the building's solar exposure.

B . Size solar shading: Shading is designed after orientation to manage solar gain.

C . Incorporate thermal mass: Thermal mass is a secondary strategy to store heat after orientation is optimized.

The LEED AP Homes Candidate Handbook emphasizes EA credits, including solar design, 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 building orientation.

References:

LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, USGBC, Energy and Atmosphere Credit: Optimize Energy Performance, p. 118.

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 solar design priorities.

Answer : C

The LEED for Homes Rating System (v4) includes the Innovation (IN) Prerequisite: Preliminary Rating, which requires the project team to conduct an early assessment to identify achievable credits and set sustainability goals.

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

IN Prerequisite: Preliminary Rating

The intent is to maximize opportunities for integrative, cost-effective adoption of green design and construction strategies by establishing a preliminary rating early in the design process. This involves identifying potential credits and setting performance goals with the project team.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Innovation Prerequisite: Preliminary Rating, p. 186.

The LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C rating system confirms:

IN Prerequisite: Preliminary Rating

The goal is to foster an integrative process that identifies cost-effective green strategies and aligns the project team on sustainability objectives from the outset.

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

The correct answer is to maximize opportunities for integrative, cost-effective adoption of green design and construction strategies (Option C), as this reflects the prerequisite's focus on early planning for sustainability.

Why not the other options?

A . To define the credits that can be achieved most cost-effectively: While cost-effectiveness is considered, the primary intent is integrative strategy adoption, not just cost.

B . To define the mandatory certification level at the beginning and declare it to all parties: The prerequisite does not mandate a certification level; it sets goals for credits.

D . To encourage exceptional performance for current credits and promote innovative performance in pioneering areas: This is the intent of IN Credit: Innovation, not the prerequisite.

The LEED AP Homes Candidate Handbook emphasizes IN prerequisites, including Preliminary Rating, 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 integrative planning.

References:

LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, USGBC, Innovation Prerequisite: Preliminary Rating, p. 186.

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 preliminary rating intent.

Answer : C

The LEED for Homes Rating System (v4) addresses minimum outdoor air ventilation requirements in the Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ) Prerequisite: Ventilation, which ensures adequate indoor air quality through proper ventilation design.

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

EQ Prerequisite: Ventilation

Meet the minimum outdoor air ventilation requirements of ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2010, Ventilation and Acceptable Indoor Air Quality in Low-Rise Residential Buildings. This standard specifies minimum ventilation rates and other measures to provide acceptable indoor air quality in residential buildings.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Indoor Environmental Quality Prerequisite: Ventilation, p. 142.

The LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C rating system confirms:

EQ Prerequisite: Ventilation

Comply with ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2010 for minimum outdoor air ventilation rates in single-family and low-rise multifamily homes to ensure healthy indoor air quality.

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

The correct answer is ASHRAE Standard 62.2-2010 (Option C), as it is the specific standard referenced for minimum ventilation requirements in LEED for Homes.

Why not the other options?

A . IECC 2012: The International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) 2012 focuses on energy efficiency, not ventilation standards.

B . ENERGY STAR for Homes: While ENERGY STAR includes ventilation requirements, it references ASHRAE 62.2-2010, not a standalone standard.

D . ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2010: This standard applies to commercial buildings' energy performance, not residential ventilation.

The LEED AP Homes Candidate Handbook emphasizes EQ prerequisites, including ventilation standards, 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 ASHRAE 62.2-2010.

References:

LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, USGBC, Indoor Environmental Quality Prerequisite: Ventilation, p. 142.

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 ASHRAE 62.2-2010.

Answer : B

The LEED for Homes Rating System (v4) rewards energy-efficient systems, including solar hot water heating, under the Energy and Atmosphere (EA) category. Solar hot water systems reduce energy use for water heating, a significant component of residential energy consumption.

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

EA Credit: Efficient Domestic Hot Water Equipment (1--3 points)

Install high-efficiency water heating equipment, such as solar hot water systems, that meet specified performance criteria (e.g., solar fraction of at least 0.4 for solar systems). Points are awarded based on the efficiency and percentage of hot water demand met by the system.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Energy and Atmosphere Credit: Efficient Domestic Hot Water Equipment, p. 134.

The LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C rating system confirms:

EA Credit: Efficient Domestic Hot Water Equipment

Solar hot water systems qualify for points by reducing energy use for water heating, based on their solar fraction or efficiency.

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

Solar hot water heating systems are rewarded under Efficient Domestic Hot Water Equipment (Option B), as they directly address water heating efficiency.

Why not the other options?

A . High-Efficiency Appliances: This credit focuses on appliances like refrigerators, dishwashers, and clothes washers, not water heating systems.

C . Renewable Energy: This credit rewards on-site renewable energy generation (e.g., solar photovoltaic panels for electricity), not solar thermal systems for water heating.

D . Balancing of Heating and Cooling Distribution Systems: This credit addresses HVAC duct design and balancing, not water heating.

The LEED AP Homes Candidate Handbook emphasizes EA credits, including water heating efficiency, 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 this credit.

References:

LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, USGBC, Energy and Atmosphere Credit: Efficient Domestic Hot Water Equipment, p. 134.

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 solar hot water criteria.

Answer : D

The LEED for Homes Rating System (v4) incorporates a Home Size Adjustment that adjusts the point threshold for certification based on the home's conditioned floor area and number of bedrooms, recognizing that smaller homes inherently use fewer resources and energy.

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

Home Size Adjustment

Smaller homes require fewer points to achieve certification due to their lower energy and resource use, particularly in the Energy and Atmosphere (EA) category. The adjustment rewards smaller homes for their reduced energy consumption, as reflected in credits like EA Credit: Annual Energy Use, where smaller homes typically achieve lower HERS Index scores due to lower energy demand.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Introduction, p. 24; Energy and Atmosphere Credit: Annual Energy Use, p. 116.

The LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C rating system confirms:

Home Size Adjustment

Smaller homes benefit from a lower point threshold for certification, reflecting their inherently lower energy use, which aligns with EA Credit: Annual Energy Use by requiring less energy to achieve efficiency targets.

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

The correct answer is smaller homes are awarded credit in the Energy and Atmosphere category because they use less energy (Option D), as smaller homes have lower energy demands, making it easier to achieve energy efficiency credits.

Why not the other options?

A . Smaller homes are awarded credit in the Water Efficiency category because they use less water: Water use is based on fixtures and occupancy, not home size, and no specific credit rewards smaller homes in this category.

B . Smaller homes are awarded credit in the Materials and Resources category because they use fewer materials: While smaller homes use fewer materials, no specific MR credit rewards this; the Home Size Adjustment affects overall points, not MR credits.

C . Larger homes are awarded credit in the Energy and Atmosphere category because they save more energy: Larger homes require more points due to higher energy use, not an advantage in EA credits.

The LEED AP Homes Candidate Handbook emphasizes the Home Size Adjustment and EA credits, 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 energy efficiency for smaller homes.

References:

LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, USGBC, Introduction, p. 24; Energy and Atmosphere Credit: Annual Energy Use, p. 116.

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 home size adjustment effects.