What is the required minimum percentage energy performance improvement over baseline to achieve points in the Optimize Energy Performance credit?

To achieve points in the Optimize Energy Performance credit under LEED, a project must demonstrate a minimum percentage improvement in energy performance relative to a baseline. The requirement of a 5% improvement over the baseline is significant in that it sets a threshold that demonstrates a commitment to energy efficiency without demanding an excessive leap that may not be feasible for all projects. This encourages a broad range of projects to pursue energy performance improvements, thereby promoting sustainable practices within the building industry.

Recognizing this minimum threshold fosters a culture of incremental improvement, which can lead to greater overall energy reductions over time as building owners and managers become accustomed to improving their energy performance strategies. Moreover, the tiered structure of the credit allows for greater points to be earned as higher performance improvements are achieved, incentivizing projects to strive for greater energy efficiency beyond just the minimum requirement.