Energy Use Intensity (EUI) is a metric that quantifies a building’s energy performance by expressing its annual energy consumption per unit of floor area. A common unit is kBtu per square foot per year (kBtu/ft/yr). For example, an office building consuming 800,000 kBtu per year with a gross floor area of 10,000 square feet would have an EUI of 80 kBtu/ft/yr. The process involves compiling energy consumption data from various sources, such as utility bills, and dividing it by the building’s total floor area.
Determining EUI provides valuable insights into a building’s operational efficiency, enabling benchmarking against similar structures and identifying areas for improvement. Tracking EUI over time allows for the evaluation of energy-saving measures and contributes to sustainability goals. Historically, the increasing focus on energy efficiency and environmental impact has led to the widespread adoption of EUI as a key performance indicator in building design, operation, and policy.