LEED AP Homes cheat sheet

LEED for Homes is a point-based certification: prerequisites are mandatory and earn no points; credits earn points toward four certification levels - Certified 40-49, Silver 50-59, Gold 60-69, Platinum 80-110 (scale is out of 110 points).

Rating system families: BD+C (new construction/major renovation), ID+C (interiors), O+M (existing buildings operations), Homes (single-family and multifamily low-rise residential), and Neighborhood Development; Homes is the only one using the 110-point residential scale.

Homes-specific credit categories: Integrative Process, Location and Transportation, Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, Innovation, and Regional Priority.

Multifamily: projects of 1-3 stories may use LEED for Homes; mid-rise 4-8 stories can use either Homes or BD+C Multifamily Midrise depending on the project team's chosen path; high-rise (9+ stories) uses BD+C.

Prerequisites in Homes include construction activity pollution prevention, site stewardship, minimum energy performance, refrigerant management, and minimum indoor air quality - failing any prerequisite blocks certification regardless of points.

Energy and Atmosphere carries the largest point share (roughly 30+ points including Optimize Energy Performance), reflecting the dominant role of operational energy in residential lifecycle impact.

Innovation credits cap at 6 points (typically 1 point per innovation, plus up to 2 for exemplary performance or a LEED Accredited Professional).

Regional Priority credits (up to 4 points) are selected by ZIP code from a USGBC-published list and reward geographically relevant environmental priorities.

LEED for Homes Location and Transportation rewards infill and previously developed sites; points scale with density and proximity to existing infrastructure and community resources (transit, schools, services within walking distance).

Site selection prerequisite: do not develop on prime farmland, parkland, or land within 100 feet of a wetland or water body, and do not build on habitat for threatened or endangered species.

Construction Activity Pollution Prevention prerequisite requires an erosion and sedimentation control plan conforming to the 2012 EPA Construction General Permit or local equivalent, whichever is more stringent.

Site development limits: protect or restore open space and habitat; credit thresholds typically require conserving a percentage of the site (often 20%+) or exceeding local open-space zoning.

Stormwater management credit requires managing runoff volume and quality - commonly retaining the 95th percentile rainfall event on site through infiltration, rain gardens, permeable paving, or cisterns.

Heat island reduction: use shade trees, high-SRL paving (typically SRI ≥ 29), or a vegetated roof; residential credits often target shaded or reflective hardscape over a set percentage of the site.

Light pollution reduction: shield exterior fixtures and limit uplight; residential credits often require full cut-off fixtures and limits on light trespass at property lines.

Compact development: building on smaller lots or higher density reduces per-unit infrastructure and earns points; the metric is typically dwelling units per acre above a baseline.

Water Efficiency credits address indoor water use (fixtures, fittings), outdoor water use (landscaping, irrigation), and sometimes appliance and process water; points scale with percentage reduction below a baseline.

Indoor water use baseline uses federal maximum flow rates: lavatory faucets 1.5 gpm (2.2 gpm older baseline), showerheads 2.0 gpm, toilets 1.28 gpf, urinals 0.5 gpf; achieving 20-30%+ reduction earns tiered points.

Outdoor water: use native/adaptive plants, limit turf, and use high-efficiency irrigation (drip, smart controllers, rain sensors); the baseline is often the EPA WaterSense or local evapotranspiration-based schedule.

Energy performance is measured by the HERS Index (0 = net-zero, 100 = reference home per RESNET); LEED Homes points are tiered by HERS Index, typically requiring roughly HERS 70 or better for the first energy points and improving toward HERS 30 or lower for maximum points.

The reference home for HERS is defined by RESNET/ANSI standards and modeled with approved software; the rating requires third-party verification by a certified HERS Rater.

Envelope requirements: continuous air sealing, high-performance windows (U-factor and SHGC), and insulation levels aligned with IECC 2012 or later; Homes uses the performance path with mandatory envelope backstops.

HVAC: properly sized equipment (Manual J), sealed and tested ductwork (duct leakage testing), high-efficiency equipment (SEER/HSPF/AFUE), and refrigerant management to minimize ozone-depleting and high-GWP refrigerants.

On-site renewable energy (solar PV, solar thermal, geothermal) earns points and lowers the HERS Index; renewable energy credits are calculated as a percentage of annual building energy use.

Materials and Resources credits emphasize life-cycle impact: durability, recycled content, regional materials (typically within 500 miles), certified wood (FSC), and waste management (divert construction and demolition debris, often 50%+).

Indoor Environmental Quality: prerequisites include minimum IAQ performance (ASHRAE 62.1/62.2 ventilation), environmental tobacco smoke control (no smoking in units and within a set distance of entries), and combustion venting.

IAQ credits address low-emitting materials (VOC limits for adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, flooring, and composite wood - CARB Phase 2 / TSCA Title VI), and formaldehyde-free or low-formaldehyde products.

Ventilation and moisture: whole-house mechanical ventilation per ASHRAE 62.2, local exhaust in kitchens and baths, and moisture control to prevent mold; balanced ventilation (ERV/HRV) supports both energy and IAQ goals.

Certification process: register the project with USGBC/GBCI, assemble the project team (including a LEED AP Homes and a Green Rater), conduct the preliminary rating during design, then complete construction and verification.

Green Rater role: an independent, USGBC-trained professional performs on-site verification of energy, water, durability, and IAQ measures; the HERS Rater may also serve as Green Rater if qualified.

Documentation: submit credit documentation and the Green Rater's verification report through LEED Online; USGBC reviews and issues a review comment or certification decision.

Certification is awarded after construction completion and final verification; recertification for existing homes is available, and the certification level is determined by total points earned against the 110-point scale.

LEED for Homes is a point-based certification: prerequisites are mandatory and earn no points; credits earn points toward four certification levels - Certified 40-49, Silver 50-59, Gold 60-69, Platinum 80-110 (scale is out of 110 points).

Rating system families: BD+C (new construction/major renovation), ID+C (interiors), O+M (existing buildings operations), Homes (single-family and multifamily low-rise residential), and Neighborhood Development; Homes is the only one using the 110-point residential scale.

Homes-specific credit categories: Integrative Process, Location and Transportation, Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy and Atmosphere, Materials and Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, Innovation, and Regional Priority.

Multifamily: projects of 1-3 stories may use LEED for Homes; mid-rise 4-8 stories can use either Homes or BD+C Multifamily Midrise depending on the project team's chosen path; high-rise (9+ stories) uses BD+C.

Prerequisites in Homes include construction activity pollution prevention, site stewardship, minimum energy performance, refrigerant management, and minimum indoor air quality - failing any prerequisite blocks certification regardless of points.

Energy and Atmosphere carries the largest point share (roughly 30+ points including Optimize Energy Performance), reflecting the dominant role of operational energy in residential lifecycle impact.

Innovation credits cap at 6 points (typically 1 point per innovation, plus up to 2 for exemplary performance or a LEED Accredited Professional).

Regional Priority credits (up to 4 points) are selected by ZIP code from a USGBC-published list and reward geographically relevant environmental priorities.

LEED for Homes Location and Transportation rewards infill and previously developed sites; points scale with density and proximity to existing infrastructure and community resources (transit, schools, services within walking distance).

Site selection prerequisite: do not develop on prime farmland, parkland, or land within 100 feet of a wetland or water body, and do not build on habitat for threatened or endangered species.

Construction Activity Pollution Prevention prerequisite requires an erosion and sedimentation control plan conforming to the 2012 EPA Construction General Permit or local equivalent, whichever is more stringent.

Site development limits: protect or restore open space and habitat; credit thresholds typically require conserving a percentage of the site (often 20%+) or exceeding local open-space zoning.

Stormwater management credit requires managing runoff volume and quality - commonly retaining the 95th percentile rainfall event on site through infiltration, rain gardens, permeable paving, or cisterns.

Heat island reduction: use shade trees, high-SRL paving (typically SRI ≥ 29), or a vegetated roof; residential credits often target shaded or reflective hardscape over a set percentage of the site.

Light pollution reduction: shield exterior fixtures and limit uplight; residential credits often require full cut-off fixtures and limits on light trespass at property lines.

Compact development: building on smaller lots or higher density reduces per-unit infrastructure and earns points; the metric is typically dwelling units per acre above a baseline.

Water Efficiency credits address indoor water use (fixtures, fittings), outdoor water use (landscaping, irrigation), and sometimes appliance and process water; points scale with percentage reduction below a baseline.

Indoor water use baseline uses federal maximum flow rates: lavatory faucets 1.5 gpm (2.2 gpm older baseline), showerheads 2.0 gpm, toilets 1.28 gpf, urinals 0.5 gpf; achieving 20-30%+ reduction earns tiered points.

Outdoor water: use native/adaptive plants, limit turf, and use high-efficiency irrigation (drip, smart controllers, rain sensors); the baseline is often the EPA WaterSense or local evapotranspiration-based schedule.

Energy performance is measured by the HERS Index (0 = net-zero, 100 = reference home per RESNET); LEED Homes points are tiered by HERS Index, typically requiring roughly HERS 70 or better for the first energy points and improving toward HERS 30 or lower for maximum points.

The reference home for HERS is defined by RESNET/ANSI standards and modeled with approved software; the rating requires third-party verification by a certified HERS Rater.

Envelope requirements: continuous air sealing, high-performance windows (U-factor and SHGC), and insulation levels aligned with IECC 2012 or later; Homes uses the performance path with mandatory envelope backstops.

HVAC: properly sized equipment (Manual J), sealed and tested ductwork (duct leakage testing), high-efficiency equipment (SEER/HSPF/AFUE), and refrigerant management to minimize ozone-depleting and high-GWP refrigerants.

On-site renewable energy (solar PV, solar thermal, geothermal) earns points and lowers the HERS Index; renewable energy credits are calculated as a percentage of annual building energy use.

Materials and Resources credits emphasize life-cycle impact: durability, recycled content, regional materials (typically within 500 miles), certified wood (FSC), and waste management (divert construction and demolition debris, often 50%+).

Indoor Environmental Quality: prerequisites include minimum IAQ performance (ASHRAE 62.1/62.2 ventilation), environmental tobacco smoke control (no smoking in units and within a set distance of entries), and combustion venting.

IAQ credits address low-emitting materials (VOC limits for adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, flooring, and composite wood - CARB Phase 2 / TSCA Title VI), and formaldehyde-free or low-formaldehyde products.

Ventilation and moisture: whole-house mechanical ventilation per ASHRAE 62.2, local exhaust in kitchens and baths, and moisture control to prevent mold; balanced ventilation (ERV/HRV) supports both energy and IAQ goals.

Certification process: register the project with USGBC/GBCI, assemble the project team (including a LEED AP Homes and a Green Rater), conduct the preliminary rating during design, then complete construction and verification.

Green Rater role: an independent, USGBC-trained professional performs on-site verification of energy, water, durability, and IAQ measures; the HERS Rater may also serve as Green Rater if qualified.

Documentation: submit credit documentation and the Green Rater's verification report through LEED Online; USGBC reviews and issues a review comment or certification decision.

Certification is awarded after construction completion and final verification; recertification for existing homes is available, and the certification level is determined by total points earned against the 110-point scale.