The LEED for Homes Rating System (v4) awards points for the Materials and Resources (MR) Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products when materials meet sustainable criteria, such as being reclaimed, recycled, or FSC-certified. The scenario specifies that 50% of the exterior is clad with salvaged (reclaimed) brick, and the remaining 50% is wood.
According to the LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):
MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products (1--4 points)
Use products that meet one or more of the following criteria for at least 25% (1 point), 50% (2 points), or 90% (3--4 points) by cost of the total materials:
Reused or salvaged materials: Materials reclaimed from the same or another project, such as salvaged brick.
FSC-certified wood: Wood products certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.
To earn 1 point, at least 25% of the total material cost must meet one or more criteria, with products like salvaged brick qualifying as reclaimed.
Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Materials and Resources Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 160--161.
The LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C rating system confirms:
MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products
Reclaimed materials, such as salvaged brick, contribute to the percentage of environmentally preferable products based on their cost. A minimum of 25% by cost is required for 1 point.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
In this scenario, 50% of the exterior cladding is salvaged brick, which qualifies as reclaimed material. Since at least half of the siding is reclaimed (Option C), this meets the 25% threshold for 1 point, assuming the material cost proportion aligns. The wood portion does not need to be FSC-certified or reclaimed unless additional points are targeted.
Why not the other options?
A . All of the siding is FSC-certified: Only 50% of the siding is wood, and FSC certification is not required for salvaged brick. The 25% threshold can be met with reclaimed brick alone.
B . Cladding combinations cannot earn points: This is incorrect; combinations of reclaimed, FSC-certified, or other qualifying materials can earn points based on total material cost.
D . At least half of the wood siding is both reclaimed and local: The wood does not need to be reclaimed or local; the salvaged brick (50% of siding) already qualifies for the credit. Local production is a separate option (Option 1).
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 reclaimed materials.
References:
LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, USGBC, Materials and Resources Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 160--161.
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 reclaimed material criteria.
