Title: Reading
Course: GFM 102 Technical Aspects of Energy, Resources & Conservation > Section: GFM 102 Technical Aspects of Energy, Resources & Conservation

Reading

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Energy Use Index (EUI) For Various Buildings

What is EUI?

EUI, or energy use intensity, is a unit of measurement that describes a building’s energy use. EUI represents the energy consumed by a building relative to its size.

How is EUI Calculated?

A building’s EUI is calculated by taking the total energy consumed in one year (measured in kBtu) and dividing it by the total floorspace of the building. For example, if a 50,000-square-foot school consumed 7,500,000 kBtu of energy last year, its EUI would be 150. A similarly sized school that consumed 9,000,000 kBtu of energy last year would have a higher EUI (180) to reflect its higher energy use. Generally, a low EUI signifies good energy performance.

Why do Some Buildings Have Much Higher EUIs than Others?

Certain building types will always use more energy than others. For example, an elementary school uses relatively little energy compared to a hospital. Similarly, a small office building that supports 80 workers will use less energy than a skyscraper that supports thousands.

Click here to access Buildings Energy Data Book from U.S. Department of Energy.
Click here to access the webpage What is Energy Use Intensity (EUI) from the Energy Star program of the U.S. Department of Energy.
Click here to access the webpage Collecting Data for Energy Usage Index of the Oregon Department of Energy.