TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)addresses indoor air quality in theIndoor Environmental Quality (EQ) Prerequisite: VentilationandEQ Credit: Enhanced Ventilation, which require outdoor air to improve indoor air quality by reducing pollutant concentrations.
According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):
EQ Prerequisite: Ventilation
Introduce outdoor air to dilute indoor pollutants, improving air quality by reducing the concentration of contaminants such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and carbon dioxide.
Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Indoor Environmental Quality Prerequisite: Ventilation, p. 142.
TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:
EQ Prerequisite: Ventilation
Outdoor air ventilation dilutes indoor pollutants, ensuring a healthier indoor environment by lowering contaminant levels.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
The introduction of outdoor air improves indoor air quality primarily throughdilution(Option A), as it mixes with indoor air to reduce pollutant concentrations.
Why not the other options?
[Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, EQ Credit: Contaminant Control, p. 148., C. Pressurization: Pressurization controls air movement (e.g., to prevent infiltration), not the primary mechanism for improving air quality via outdoor air.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, EQ Credit: Enhanced Ventilation, p. 146., D. Source removal: This involves physically removing pollutant sources, not a function of outdoor air introduction.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, EQ Credit: Contaminant Control, p. 148., TheLEED AP Homes Candidate Handbookemphasizes EQ prerequisites and credits, including ventilation strategies, and references theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Constructionas a key resource. The exam is based onLEED v4, ensuring the relevance of dilution., 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 ventilation strategies., ]
