US Green Building Council Exam LEED-AP-Homes Topic 4 Question 5 Discussion

The LEED for Homes Rating System (v4) awards points for the Materials and Resources (MR) Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, Option 1: Local Production, which encourages the use of materials sourced locally to reduce transportation impacts.

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

MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, Option 1: Local Production (1--4 points)

Use products that have been extracted, harvested, or recovered, as well as manufactured, within 100 miles (160 km) of the project site for at least 25%, 50%, or 90% (by cost) of the total materials.

Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Materials and Resources Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 160.

The LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C rating system confirms:

MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, Option 1: Local Production

Materials must be extracted, harvested, or recovered and manufactured within 100 miles (160 km) of the project site to qualify for local production points.

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

Evaluation of options:

A . Granite slabs extracted in China and manufactured and installed in New York City: Extracted in China, far exceeding the 100-mile (160 km) limit, so it does not qualify.

B . Wood studs harvested and manufactured in Western Canada and installed in California within a 750 mi. (1,200 km) radius: The 750-mile radius exceeds the 100-mile limit, so it does not qualify.

C . Wood studs harvested and manufactured in Mexico within a 98 mi. (158 km) radius of the final installation in New Mexico: Both harvesting and manufacturing are within 100 miles (160 km), meeting the local production criteria.

D . Wooden doors manufactured in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, assembled 1,463 mi. (2,354 km) away in Provo, Utah, and installed 1,246 mi. (2,005 km) away in Austin, Texas: The distances for manufacturing and assembly far exceed the 100-mile limit, so it does not qualify.

The correct answer is Option C, as the wood studs meet the local production requirement of being harvested and manufactured within 100 miles (160 km) of the project site.

The LEED AP Homes Candidate Handbook emphasizes MR credits, including Environmentally Preferable Products, and references the LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction as a key resource. The exam is based on LEED v4, ensuring the relevance of the 100-mile radius.

References:

LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, USGBC, Materials and Resources Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 160.

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 local production criteria.