LEED AP Homes flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

LEED Homes certification levels

Certified 40-49 points, Silver 50-59, Gold 60-69, Platinum 80-110 on the 110-point LEED for Homes scale. Prerequisites must be met but earn no points.

Homes rating system families

BD+C, ID+C, O+M, Homes, and Neighborhood Development. Homes covers single-family and low-rise multifamily and uses a distinct 110-point residential scale.

Homes 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 rating system selection

1-3 stories may use LEED for Homes; 4-8 story mid-rise may use Homes or BD+C Multifamily Midrise; 9+ story high-rise uses BD+C.

Innovation credit cap

Innovation credits are capped at 6 points in LEED for Homes, typically 1 point per innovation plus up to 2 for exemplary performance or a LEED AP.

Regional Priority credits

Up to 4 points awarded for credits identified by ZIP code on a USGBC-published list, reflecting geographically specific environmental priorities such as water or air quality.

Energy and Atmosphere point share

The largest category in LEED for Homes, with roughly 30+ points including Optimize Energy Performance, reflecting operational energy as the dominant lifecycle impact.

Homes prerequisites

Mandatory requirements including construction activity pollution prevention, site stewardship, minimum energy performance, refrigerant management, and minimum indoor air quality. Failing any blocks certification.

Site selection prerequisite

Prohibits development on prime farmland, parkland, land within 100 feet of wetlands or water bodies, and habitat for threatened or endangered species.

Construction 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.

Compact development metric

Points scale with dwelling units per acre above a baseline; higher density reduces per-unit infrastructure and land impact.

Stormwater management credit

Requires managing runoff volume and quality, commonly retaining the 95th percentile rainfall event through infiltration, rain gardens, permeable paving, or cisterns.

Heat island reduction

Uses shade trees, high-SRI paving (typically SRI 29 or higher), or vegetated roofs to reduce hardscape heat gain over a specified percentage of the site.

Light pollution reduction

Requires shielded, full cut-off exterior fixtures and limits on uplight and light trespass at property lines to protect night sky and neighbors.

Location and Transportation points

Reward infill and previously developed sites, density, and proximity to transit, schools, and services within walking distance of the home.

Open space protection

Credit thresholds typically require conserving a percentage of the site (often 20% or more) or exceeding local open-space zoning to protect habitat and community amenity.

Indoor water baseline

Federal maximum flow rates: lavatory faucets 1.5 gpm, showerheads 2.0 gpm, toilets 1.28 gpf, urinals 0.5 gpf. Tiered points follow percentage reduction below baseline.

Outdoor water efficiency

Uses native or adaptive plants, limited turf, and high-efficiency irrigation such as drip lines, smart controllers, and rain sensors to cut potable water demand.

HERS Index scale

0 is net-zero energy and 100 is the RESNET reference home; lower scores mean better performance and earn tiered LEED Homes energy points.

HERS Rater requirement

The HERS Index must be modeled with RESNET-approved software and verified by a certified third-party HERS Rater, not by the builder alone.

Envelope performance measures

Continuous air sealing, high-performance windows rated by U-factor and SHGC, and insulation levels aligned with IECC 2012 or later, verified through testing.

Duct leakage testing

Ductwork must be sealed and tested to limit conditioned air loss; results support both energy performance points and indoor comfort and air quality.

Refrigerant management

Requires selecting HVAC equipment with low ozone-depleting and low global-warming-potential refrigerants and ensuring proper handling and leak prevention.

On-site renewable energy

Solar PV, solar thermal, or geothermal systems earn points and lower the HERS Index; credit is based on the percentage of annual building energy supplied.

Regional materials distance

Materials and products sourced, extracted, and manufactured within a defined radius (commonly 500 miles) of the project reduce transport impacts.

Construction waste diversion

Credits require diverting a percentage of construction and demolition debris (often 50% or more) from landfill through recycling and salvage.

Environmental tobacco smoke control

A prerequisite prohibiting smoking inside units and within a set distance of entries and air intakes to protect indoor air quality.

Low-emitting material limits

VOC limits apply to adhesives, sealants, paints, coatings, and flooring, while composite wood must meet CARB Phase 2 or TSCA Title VI formaldehyde limits.

Whole-house ventilation

Requires mechanical ventilation per ASHRAE 62.2 plus local exhaust in kitchens and baths; balanced ERV or HRV systems also improve energy performance.

Green Rater role

An independent, USGBC-trained professional performs on-site verification of energy, water, durability, and indoor air quality measures for the project.

LEED Online documentation

Credit documentation and the Green Rater verification report are submitted through LEED Online; USGBC reviews and issues comments or a certification decision.

Certification timing

Certification is awarded after construction completion and final verification; the level is set by total points earned against the 110-point scale.