TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)awards points for theMaterials and Resources (MR) Credit: Environmentally Preferable Productswhen materials, including insulation, meet sustainable criteria such as being reclaimed or salvaged. The credit calculates compliance based on the percentage of total material cost.
According to theLEED 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, such as reclaimed insulation.For specific material categories like insulation, at least 90% of the insulation (by cost) must be reclaimed, salvaged, or meet other environmentally preferable criteria to contribute significantly to the credit.Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Materials and Resources Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 160–161.
TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:
MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products
To earn points, insulation must meet environmentally preferable criteria (e.g., 90% reclaimed or salvaged by cost) to contribute to the overall material cost percentage (25%, 50%, or 90%).
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
For insulation to contribute to earning a point under this credit, aminimum of 90%(by cost) must be reclaimed or salvaged (Option C), aligning with the credit’s threshold for significant material contributions.
Why not the other options?
[Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 161., B. 80%: This is also below the 90% threshold and insufficient for insulation to qualify.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 161., D. 100%: While 100% would qualify, the minimum requirement is 90%, making this option unnecessarily strict.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 161., TheLEED AP Homes Candidate Handbookemphasizes MR credits, including Environmentally Preferable Products, and references theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Constructionas a key resource. The exam is based onLEED v4, ensuring the relevance of the 90% threshold., 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 insulation criteria., , , , ]
