TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)addresses indoor humidity in warm, humid climates through credits likeIndoor Environmental Quality (EQ) Credit: Enhanced VentilationandEQ Prerequisite:
Ventilation, which consider factors affecting moisture levels to maintain indoor air quality.
According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):
EQ Credit: Enhanced Ventilation (1-3 points)
In warm, humid climates (e.g., climate zones 1-3), assess indoor humidity by considering infiltration (uncontrolled air leakage through the building envelope) and ventilation (controlled outdoor air introduction).
These factors influence moisture ingress and must be managed to prevent high humidity levels.
Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Indoor Environmental Quality Credit: Enhanced Ventilation, p. 146.
TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:
EQ Credit: Enhanced Ventilation
Infiltration and ventilation are critical factors in assessing indoor humidity in humid climates, as infiltration introduces moist outdoor air, and ventilation systems must be designed to manage humidity effectively.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
The correct answer isinfiltration and ventilation(Option B), as these are the primary factors affecting indoor humidity levels in a warm, humid climate, requiring careful design to control moisture.
Why not the other options?
Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, EQ Credit: Enhanced Ventilation, p. 146.
C). Pressurization and dehumidification: While dehumidification is relevant, pressurization is less critical than infiltration control for humidity assessment.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, EQ Credit: Enhanced Ventilation, p. 146.
D). Dehumidification and filtration: Dehumidification is a solution, not a factor to assess, and filtration does not address humidity.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, EQ Credit:
Enhanced Ventilation, p. 146.
TheLEED AP Homes Candidate Handbookemphasizes EQ credits, including humidity management, and references theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Constructionas a key resource. The exam is based onLEED v4, ensuring the relevance of infiltration and ventilation.
References:
LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, USGBC, Indoor Environmental Quality Credit: Enhanced Ventilation, p. 146.
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 humidity assessment factors.

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includesRegional Priority (RP) Credits, which provide bonus points for addressing location-specific environmental priorities. Each region has a set number of RP credits available, from which a project can earn up to four points.
According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):
Regional Priority Credits (1-4 points)
In each region, six Regional Priority Credits are available, based on the project's ZIP code or location, addressing critical environmental issues. A project can earn up to four bonus points by achieving any combination of these six credits.
Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Regional Priority Credits, p. 190.
TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:
Regional Priority Credits
Six RP credits are identified for each region, from which a project team can choose to pursue up to four for bonus points, based on local environmental priorities.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
The correct answer issix credits(Option B), as six Regional Priority Credits are available for a project team to choose from in any region, with a maximum of four points achievable.
Why not the other options?
* A. Four credits: This is the maximum number of points a project can earn, not the total number of RP credits available.
* C. Seven credits: No region has seven RP credits; the standard is six.
Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Regional Priority Credits, p. 190.
TheLEED AP Homes Candidate Handbookemphasizes RP credits and their regional applicability, referencing theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Constructionas a key resource. The exam is based onLEED v4, ensuring the relevance of the six-credit availability.
References:
LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, USGBC, Regional Priority Credits, p.
190.
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 RP credit availability.

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theIntegrative Process (IP) Credit: Integrative Process, Option 2: Design Charrette, which requires a collaborative meeting early in the design process to integrate green strategies.
According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):
IP Credit: Integrative Process, Option 2: Design Charrette (1 point)
Conduct a design charrette no later than the schematic design phase to ensure early integration of green strategies across all project aspects, including energy, water, and materials.
Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Integrative Process Credit:
Integrative Process, p. 45.
TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:
IP Credit: Integrative Process, Option 2: Design Charrette
The charrette must occur no later than the schematic design phase to effectively influence the project's sustainability goals and design decisions.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
The correct answer isSchematic Design(Option B), as the charrette must occur by this phase to ensure early integration of sustainable strategies.
Why not the other options?
Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, IP Credit: Integrative Process, p.
45.
C). Design Development: This is later than schematic design, reducing the charrette's impact on early design decisions.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, IP Credit: Integrative Process, p. 45.
D). Construction Drawings: This is a final design phase, far too late for integrative planning.Reference:
LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, IP Credit: Integrative Process, p. 45.
TheLEED AP Homes Candidate Handbookemphasizes IP credits, including the timing of the design charrette, and references theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Constructionas a key resource.
The exam is based onLEED v4, ensuring the relevance of the schematic design phase.
References:
LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, USGBC, Integrative Process Credit:
Integrative Process, p. 45.
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 charrette timing.

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theSustainable Sites (SS) Credit: Nontoxic Pest Control
, which awards points for strategies that prevent pest entry without relying on toxic chemicals.
According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):
SS Credit: Nontoxic Pest Control (1 point)
Implement physical barriers to prevent pest entry, such as sealing all external cracks, joints, penetrations, edges, and entry points with caulking or other durable materials to reduce the need for chemical pest control.
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
Sealing external cracks, joints, and penetrations with caulking is a primary strategy to earn points by preventing pest access in a nontoxic manner.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
The correct answer isseal all external cracks, joints, penetrations, edges, and entry points with caulking (Option A), as this is a direct, physical pest control strategy recognized by the credit.
Why not the other options?
Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, SS Credit: Site Development - Protect or Restore Habitat, p. 74.
C). Use a sealed-to-the-wall vapor barrier for homes with crawl spaces: Vapor barriers address moisture, not pest control, and are not part of this credit.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, no mention in SS Credit: Nontoxic Pest Control.
D). Design and install plastic barrier systems around pipes and electrical conduit: While barriers may help, only caulking or similar sealing methods are explicitly recognized for this credit.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, SS Credit: Nontoxic Pest Control, p. 82.
TheLEED AP Homes Candidate Handbookemphasizes SS credits, including nontoxic pest control, and references theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Constructionas a key resource. The exam is based onLEED v4, ensuring the relevance of sealing strategies.
References:
LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, USGBC, Sustainable Sites Credit:
Nontoxic Pest Control, p. 82.
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 pest control strategies.

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)awards points for theMaterials and Resources (MR) Credit:
Environmentally Preferable Productsbased on the use of materials with sustainable attributes, such as concrete with fly ash (a recycled material that reduces the environmental impact of cement production). The scenario indicates that reducing fly ash content in some suspended slab areas due to weather-related curing concerns would cause the project to fall short of the credit's threshold (e.g., 25%, 50%, or 90% by 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%, 50%, or 90% (by cost) of the total materials in the project:
* Recycled content: Materials with pre- or post-consumer recycled content, such as fly ash in concrete.
The percentage is calculated based on the total cost of qualifying materials across the project.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 this:
MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products
Concrete with fly ash qualifies as an environmentally preferable product if it contributes to the required percentage of material cost. Project teams must ensure compliance across all relevant components.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
The most effective strategy is toignore the engineer's recommendation and proceed with the original design(Option B). This ensures the project maintains the intended fly ash content to meet the credit threshold.
Fly ash typically slows concrete curing, but modern mix designs and admixtures (e.g., accelerators) can mitigate weather-related delays without reducing fly ash content. The LEED AP should collaborate with the structural engineer to explore alternative solutions, such as adjusting the mix or using curing blankets, to maintain both structural integrity and credit compliance.
Why not the other options?
Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Introduction, p. 12 (discusses CIR process).
C). Apply for a Regional Priority exemption since the local climate interfered with the project team's best effort to achieve the point: Regional Priority (RP) credits provide bonus points for addressing local environmental priorities, not exemptions for failing to meet credit requirements. Weather conditions do not justify an exemption for MR credits.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Regional Priority Credit, p. 190.
D). Demand the project team slow the construction schedule so additional curing time will allow the required amount of fly ash to be used: Slowing the construction schedule is impractical and costly, especially when alternative solutions (e.g., admixtures) can address curing time without compromising fly ash content. This option is less effective than maintaining the original design with adjustments.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 161 (discusses practical implementation).
TheLEED AP Homes Candidate Handbookemphasizes the need to understand MR credits and practical strategies for compliance, referencing theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Constructionas a key resource. The exam is based onLEED v4, ensuring the relevance of maintaining fly ash content.
References:
LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, USGBC, Materials and Resources Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 160-161.
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 fly ash criteria.