Solar hot water heating systems are rewarded under which Energy and Atmosphere credit?

Solar hot water heating systems, also known as solar thermal systems, are a form of on-site renewable energy generation. Within the LEED for Homes v4 rating system, these systems are explicitly recognized and rewarded under the Energy and Atmosphere (EA) Credit: Renewable Energy. This credit incentivizes the use of renewable resources to reduce a home's reliance on fossil fuels. Points are awarded based on the estimated annual energy savings the solar thermal system provides, which is calculated to offset the home's total energy cost.

A. High-Efficiency Appliances: This credit pertains to ENERGY STAR certified appliances such as refrigerators, clothes washers, and dishwashers, not water heating systems.
B. Efficient Domestic Hot Water Equipment: This credit focuses on the inherent efficiency of the water heater itself (e.g., a high Uniform Energy Factor - UEF) and the distribution system, not the use of a renewable energy source.
D. Balancing of Heating and Cooling Distribution Systems: This credit is specific to ensuring proper airflow and performance in forced-air HVAC systems and is unrelated to domestic hot water.

1. U.S. Green Building Council. (2016). LEED v4 for Homes and Midrise. Washington, DC: U.S. Green Building Council.

Page 60, EA Credit: Renewable Energy, Intent: "To encourage the use of on-site renewable energy systems to offset the home’s energy consumption."

Page 60, EA Credit: Renewable Energy, Requirements: The credit explicitly lists "Solar thermal systems" as an applicable technology for which points can be earned based on estimated energy savings.

2. U.S. Green Building Council. (2021). LEED v4 for Homes Design and Construction Reference Guide. Washington, DC: U.S. Green Building Council.

Section: EA Credit Renewable Energy, "Behind the Intent": This section details how on-site renewable energy, including solar thermal for water heating, reduces environmental impacts and moves toward net-zero energy. It provides the framework for calculating the energy contribution from such systems.