TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)incorporates aHome Size Adjustmentthat 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 theLEED 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 theEnergy and Atmosphere (EA)category. The adjustment rewards smaller homes for their reduced energy consumption, as reflected in credits likeEA 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.
TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:
Home Size Adjustment
Smaller homes benefit from a lower point threshold for certification, reflecting their inherently lower energy use, which aligns withEA Credit: Annual Energy Useby requiring less energy to achieve efficiency targets.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via LEED Online.
The correct answer issmaller 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?
[Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, WE Credit: Indoor Water Use, p. 96., 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.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 160., 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.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Introduction, p. 24., TheLEED AP Homes Candidate Handbookemphasizes the Home Size Adjustment and EA credits, and references theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Constructionas a key resource. The exam is based onLEED 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., ]
