Compliance
Energy Use Intensity (EUI)
Definition
A metric measuring how much energy a building uses per square foot of floor area per year, expressed in kBtu/sq ft/year. EUI normalizes energy use for building size, enabling comparison across buildings and over time. Lower EUI = more energy efficient.
Why It Matters for Your Business
EUI is the foundational metric for commercial building performance tracking. It's used in ENERGY STAR scoring, mandatory benchmarking programs, building performance standards (like Local Law 97 and BERDO), and ESG reporting. Setting an EUI target is the first step in a credible energy management strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good commercial EUI?
EUI varies significantly by building type. U.S. national medians (from DOE CBECS): Office ~78 kBtu/sq ft, Retail ~75 kBtu/sq ft, Hotel ~128 kBtu/sq ft, K-12 School ~73 kBtu/sq ft. ENERGY STAR certification typically requires top-25% performance for the building type.
How is EUI calculated?
Total annual site energy consumption (all fuel types converted to kBtu) ÷ gross floor area (sq ft). Portfolio Manager calculates both site EUI and source EUI (which accounts for upstream generation losses).