Which of the following best describes energy use intensity (EUI)?

• A. Total energy use of the building per year.
• B. Energy use per unit area per year.
• C. Peak power demand only.
• D. Water consumption per year.

Answer: (B)

Energy use intensity is a measure of how much energy a building uses over a year relative to its size. It expresses annual energy consumption per unit area, usually shown as kBtu per square foot per year or kWh per square meter per year. This normalization lets you compare energy performance between buildings of different sizes and uses, focusing on efficiency rather than total scale. It is not simply the total energy used in a year, nor the peak power demand, nor a measure of water use. In practice, EUI is a common metric for benchmarking, informing energy budgets, and guiding efficiency improvements.