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 or managers are educated on sustainable features.
According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):
IN Prerequisite: Education of the Homeowner, Tenant, or Building Manager For multi-family buildings, provide a minimum one-hour walk-through with the building manager (or tenants) to explain the function, operation, and maintenance of equipment and systems, such as HVAC, water heating, and other sustainable 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
In multi-family projects, a one-hour walk-through with the building manager is required to educate on the operation and maintenance of green systems, ensuring effective use of sustainable features.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
The correct answer isa one-hour walk-through with the building manager explaining function, operation, and maintenance of equipment(Option B), as this meets the prerequisite's requirement for multi-family buildings.
Why not the other options?
Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, IN Prerequisite: Education of the Homeowner, Tenant, or Building Manager, p. 188.
C). A weekly meeting with tenants to raise any issues with building performance: Weekly meetings are not required; the prerequisite specifies a one-time walk-through.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, IN Prerequisite: Education of the Homeowner, Tenant, or Building Manager, p.
188.
D). Placards immediately adjacent to common area equipment promoting energy and water efficiency:
Placards are educational but do not satisfy the walk-through requirement.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, IN Prerequisite: Education of the Homeowner, Tenant, or Building Manager, p. 188.
TheLEED AP Homes Candidate Handbookemphasizes IN prerequisites, including education requirements, and references theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Constructionas a key resource. The exam is based onLEED v4, ensuring the relevance of the walk-through.
References:
LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, USGBC, Innovation Prerequisite:
Education of the Homeowner, Tenant, or Building Manager, p. 188.
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 education requirements.

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theEnergy and Atmosphere (EA) Credit: Space Heating and Cooling Equipment, which rewards the use of high-efficiency HVAC equipment that exceeds baseline standards.
According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):
EA Credit: Space Heating and Cooling Equipment (1-4 points)
Install HVAC equipment that meets or exceeds the efficiency requirements of the ENERGY STAR for Homes program, Prescriptive Path, which specifies minimum efficiency ratings (e.g., SEER, AFUE) for heating and cooling systems.
Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Energy and Atmosphere Credit:
Space Heating and Cooling Equipment, p. 128.
TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:
EA Credit: Space Heating and Cooling Equipment
HVAC equipment must exceed the efficiency standards set by ENERGY STAR for Homes, Prescriptive Path, to earn points for improved energy performance.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
The correct answer isENERGY STAR for Homes, Prescriptive Path(Option A), as this is the benchmark for high-efficiency HVAC equipment in this credit.
Why not the other options?
Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, EA Credit: Space Heating and Cooling Equipment, p. 128.
C). International Energy Conservation Code: IECC sets baseline energy codes, not the higher efficiency requirements for earning points.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, EA Prerequisite: Minimum Energy Performance, p. 112.
D). ACCA Manual J guidelines: These are used for sizing HVAC systems, not setting efficiency standards.
Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, EA Prerequisite: Minimum Energy Performance, p. 112.
TheLEED AP Homes Candidate Handbookemphasizes EA credits, including HVAC efficiency, and references theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Constructionas a key resource. The exam is based onLEED v4, ensuring the relevance of ENERGY STAR standards.
References:
LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, USGBC, Energy and Atmosphere Credit: Space Heating and Cooling Equipment, p. 128.
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 ENERGY STAR requirements.

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theEnergy and Atmosphere (EA) Credit: Windows, which sets performance requirements for windows to balance energy efficiency with design goals, such as large glazing areas for views. Higher window-to-wall ratios require more stringent performance to mitigate heat loss or gain.
According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):
EA Credit: Windows (1-3 points)
Meet the prescriptive window performance requirements based on the window-to-exterior wall area ratio (WWR). If the WWR exceeds 24%, more stringent U-factor and solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) values are required to ensure energy efficiency.
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
For projects with a window-to-exterior wall area ratio greater than 24%, windows must meet enhanced performance criteria (e.g., lower U-factor and SHGC) to reduce energy losses.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
The correct answer iswindow-to-exterior wall area ratio is greater than 24%(Option C), as this triggers stricter window performance requirements to maintain energy efficiency.
Why not the other options?
Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, EA Credit: Windows, p. 122.
B). Window-to-floor area ratio is greater than 15%: The credit uses window-to-exterior wall ratio, not window-to-floor ratio, for performance criteria.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, EA Credit: Windows, p. 122.
D). Window-to-floor area ratio is greater than 24%: The credit does not reference window-to-floor ratio; the 24% threshold applies to window-to-wall ratio.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, EA Credit: Windows, p. 122.
TheLEED AP Homes Candidate Handbookemphasizes EA credits, including window performance, and references theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Constructionas a key resource. The exam is based onLEED v4, ensuring the relevance of the 24% WWR threshold.
References:
LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, USGBC, Energy and Atmosphere Credit: Windows, p. 122.
LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, USGBC LEED Credit Library, accessed via USGBC 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 window performance criteria.

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)awards points for theMaterials and Resources (MR) Credit:
Environmentally Preferable Products, Option 1: Local Production, which encourages the use of materials sourced locally to reduce transportation impacts.
According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):
MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, Option 1: Local Production (1-4 points) Use products that have been extracted, harvested, or recovered, as well as manufactured, within 100 miles (160 km) of the project site for at least 25%, 50%, or 90% (by cost) of the total 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, Option 1: Local Production Materials must be extracted, harvested, or recovered and manufactured within 100 miles (160 km) of the project site to qualify for local production points.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
Evaluation of options:
* A. Granite slabs extracted in China and manufactured and installed in New York City: Extracted in China, far exceeding the 100-mile (160 km) limit, so it does not qualify.
* B. Wood studs harvested and manufactured in Western Canada and installed in California within a 750 mi. (1,200 km) radius: The 750-mile radius exceeds the 100-mile limit, so it does not qualify.
* C. Wood studs harvested and manufactured in Mexico within a 98 mi. (158 km) radius of the final installation in New Mexico: Both harvesting and manufacturing are within 100 miles (160 km), meeting the local production criteria.
* D. Wooden doors manufactured in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, assembled 1,463 mi. (2,354 km) away in Provo, Utah, and installed 1,246 mi. (2,005 km) away in Austin, Texas: The distances for manufacturing and assembly far exceed the 100-mile limit, so it does not qualify.
The correct answer isOption C, as the wood studs meet the local production requirement of being harvested and manufactured within 100 miles (160 km) of the project site.
TheLEED AP Homes Candidate Handbookemphasizes MR credits, including Environmentally Preferable Products, and references theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Constructionas a key resource.
The exam is based onLEED v4, ensuring the relevance of the 100-mile radius.
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 local production criteria.

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?
Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 161.
B). 80%: This is also below the 90% threshold and insufficient for insulation to qualify.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 161.
D). 100%: While 100% would qualify, the minimum requirement is 90%, making this option unnecessarily strict.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, MR Credit:
Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 161.
TheLEED AP Homes Candidate Handbookemphasizes MR credits, including Environmentally Preferable Products, and references theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Constructionas a key resource.
The exam is based onLEED v4, ensuring the relevance of the 90% threshold.
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 insulation criteria.