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?
[Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, WE Credit: Indoor Water Use, p. 96., B. The flow rate is calculated as two separate compartments of 1.5 gpm (5.6 lpm): The compartment is one unit, and multiple heads are not allowed, not treated as separate compartments.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, WE Credit: Indoor Water Use, p. 96., D. Shower compartment size does not affect shower head flow rates for LEED compliance: Compartment size directly affects whether multiple heads are allowed.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, WE Credit: Indoor Water Use, p. 96., TheLEED AP Homes Candidate Handbookemphasizes WE credits, including showerhead calculations, and references theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Constructionas a key resource. The exam is based onLEED v4, ensuring the relevance of compartment size restrictions., References:, LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, USGBC, Water Efficiency Credit: Indoor Water Use, p. 96., 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 showerhead restrictions., ]
