The LEED for Homes Rating System (v4) includes a Home Size Adjustment as part of the point-scoring
system to account for the environmental impact of larger homes, which typically use more resources
and energy. This adjustment is applied across the project’s total points and is calculated based on
conditioned floor area and the number of bedrooms.
According to the LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):
Home Size Adjustment
The Home Size Adjustment modifies the total points required for certification based on the
conditioned floor area and number of bedrooms, as larger homes have greater environmental
impacts. The adjustment is applied to the overall point threshold, not to a specific credit, but it aligns
with credits like Indoor Environmental Quality (EQ) Credit: No Environmental Tobacco Smoke, which
ensures indoor air quality in larger homes.
Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Introduction, p. 24.
The LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C rating system confirms:
Home Size Adjustment
The adjustment uses conditioned floor area and number of bedrooms to scale certification
thresholds, ensuring fairness across home sizes. It impacts the overall certification process,
particularly in relation to credits like EQ Credit: No Environmental Tobacco Smoke, which addresses
indoor air quality in larger spaces.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
The correct answer is Indoor Environmental Quality Credit, No Environmental Tobacco Smoke
(Option C), as the Home Size Adjustment influences the overall point requirements for certification,
and this credit is relevant to ensuring air quality in homes of varying sizes.
Why not the other options?
A . Water Efficiency Credit, Indoor Water Use: This credit focuses on fixture efficiency and water use
calculations, not directly tied to home size adjustment.
Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, WE Credit: Indoor Water
Use, p. 96.
B . Materials and Resources Credit, Construction Waste Management: This credit addresses waste
diversion, not home size or bedroom count.
Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, MR Credit: Construction
Waste Management, p. 164.
D . Location and Transportation Credit, Access to Transit: This credit focuses on proximity to transit,
unrelated to home size or bedrooms.
Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, LT Credit: Access to Quality
Transit, p. 58.
The LEED AP Homes Candidate Handbook emphasizes the Home Size Adjustment as part of the
certification process and
