TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)addresses shower compartments in theWater Efficiency (WE) Credit: Indoor Water Use, where the size and number of showerheads impact water use calculations.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

WE Credit: Indoor Water Use (1–6 points)

A shower compartment is defined as an enclosed area with a floor area of no more than 2,500 in² (1.6 m²), where all fixtures (e.g., multiple showerheads) count as a single fixture for water use calculations. Compartments larger than 2,500 in² are considered multiple compartments, and multiple showerheads in such cases are not allowed for LEED compliance to ensure water efficiency.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Water Efficiency Credit: Indoor Water Use, p. 96.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

WE Credit: Indoor Water Use

For shower compartments exceeding 2,500 in² (1.6 m²), multiple showerheads are not permitted to maintain water efficiency goals. Each compartment must be treated separately if applicable, but large compartments cannot have multiple heads.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

The shower compartment is 3,750 in² (2.4 m²), exceeding the 2,500 in² limit. Therefore,multiple showerheads are not allowed(Option C), as LEED restricts multiple heads in oversized compartments to ensure water efficiency.

Why not the other options?

The question references an "Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite" for homeowner 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 are educated on the home’s sustainable features and maintenance needs.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

IN Prerequisite: Education of the Homeowner, Tenant, or Building Manager

Provide an operations and maintenance manual that includes product manuals for installed equipment (e.g., HVAC, water heating, renewable energy systems) to guide homeowners or tenants in proper operation and maintenance of green 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

The operations and maintenance manual must include product manuals for all installed equipment to ensure proper use and upkeep of sustainable systems.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

The correct answer isproduct manuals for installed equipment(Option C), as these are required in the operations and maintenance manual to support homeowner education.

Why not the other options?

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)emphasizes site evaluation for credits likeLocation and Transportation (LT) Credit: Site Selection, which includes assessing past development activity to determine eligibility for options such as infill development or avoiding sensitive land.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

LT Credit: Site Selection (1–3 points)

Evaluate the site to determine if it meets criteria for infill development (e.g., at least 75% of the perimeter borders previously disturbed land) or avoids environmentally sensitive areas (e.g., prime farmland, floodplains). A LEED AP can assist by assessing past development activity to confirm eligibility for credits like Option 2: Infill Development.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Location and Transportation Credit: Site Selection, p. 54.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

LT Credit: Site Selection

A key step in site evaluation is determining whether the site has been previously developed or disturbed, which supports credits for infill or brownfield redevelopment.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

The correct answer isevaluate the site for any past development activity(Option B), as this directly supports achievingLT Credit: Site Selectionby confirming eligibility for infill development or other site-related credits.

Why not the other options?

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)addresses shower compartments in theWater Efficiency (WE) Credit: Indoor Water Use, where the definition impacts water use calculations for fixtures like showerheads.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

WE Credit: Indoor Water Use (1–6 points)

A shower compartment is defined as an enclosed area with a floor area of no more than 2,500 in² (1.6 m²), where all fixtures (e.g., multiple showerheads) within the compartment count as a single fixture for water use calculation purposes. This accounts for simultaneous use in a single showering event.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Water Efficiency Credit: Indoor Water Use, p. 96.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

WE Credit: Indoor Water Use

A shower compartment has a maximum floor area of 2,500 in² (1.6 m²), and all fixtures within it are treated as a single fixture for calculating water use, reflecting typical usage patterns.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

The correct answer ishas a floor area of no more than 2,500 in² (1.6 m²) with all fixtures within the compartment counting as a single fixture for calculation purposes(Option A), as this matches the LEED definition.

Why not the other options?

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theEnergy and Atmosphere (EA) Prerequisite: Minimum Energy Performance, which requires compliance with theThermal Enclosure System Checklistto ensure proper insulation and airtightness for energy efficiency.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

EA Prerequisite: Minimum Energy Performance

The project must comply with the Thermal Enclosure System Checklist, which requires that all exterior walls be fully insulated to meet or exceed specified R-values before other components (e.g., shower stalls) are installed. Insulation must be installed behind shower stalls or other fixtures adjacent to exterior walls to prevent thermal bridging and ensure compliance. Non-compliance with the checklist prevents certification until corrected.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Energy and Atmosphere Prerequisite: Minimum Energy Performance, p. 112.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

EA Prerequisite: Energy Performance

All exterior walls must be insulated in accordance with the Thermal Enclosure System Checklist. If components like shower stalls are installed before insulation, the home cannot be certified until the walls are properly insulated to meet the checklist requirements.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

The correct answer isthe home cannot be LEED certified until the walls are insulated in compliance with the Thermal Enclosure Checklist(Option D), as installing a shower stall before insulation violates the prerequisite’s requirement for proper insulation installation.

Why not the other options?

TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theSustainable Sites (SS) Credit: Nontoxic Pest Control, which awards points for physical or nontoxic strategies to prevent pest entry, particularly in areas with high pest activity like termites, without relying on chemical treatments.

According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):

SS Credit: Nontoxic Pest Control (1 point)

Employ physical barriers to prevent pest entry, such as installing code-approved termite barriers (e.g., physical shields or mesh) around foundations to protect against termite infestation in a nontoxic manner.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Sustainable Sites Credit: Nontoxic Pest Control, p. 82.

TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:

SS Credit: Nontoxic Pest Control

Installing a code-approved termite barrier is a recognized strategy to earn points by preventing termite access without chemical treatments, suitable for areas with heavy infestation.

Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.

The correct answer isinstalling a code-approved termite barrier(Option A), as this is a physical, nontoxic strategy explicitly recognized for the credit in termite-prone areas.

Why not the other options?

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?