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USGBC LEED Green Associate: Energy Use Intensity (EUI) to Measure Energy Consumption Per Square Foot

Learn about energy use intensity (EUI), the key metric for quantifying a building’s energy consumption per unit of floor space. Understand how EUI is used in green building standards like LEED.

Table of Contents

Question

Which of the following Is a measure of energy use intensity?

A. Daylighting and views
B. Energy consumed per unit of floor space
C. Systems with ENERGY STAR” requirements
D. The amount of electricity a wind turbine can produce

Answer

B. Energy consumed per unit of floor space

Explanation

Energy use intensity (EUI) is a measure of energy use per unit of floor space. It is calculated by dividing the total energy consumed by the building in one year (measured in kilowatt-hours or kiloBritish Thermal Units) by the total gross floor area of the building (measured in square feet or square meters).

EUI is a useful metric for comparing the energy performance of different buildings or benchmarking against national averages. EUI can vary depending on building type, climate, occupancy, and other factors. Generally, a lower EUI indicates better energy efficiency and lower environmental impact.

Energy Use Intensity (EUI) is a measure of a building’s energy efficiency, calculated by dividing the total energy consumed by the building in one year by the total gross floor area of the building. The metric is expressed as energy per square foot per year.

EUI allows for the comparison of energy performance across buildings of different sizes and types. It is a key metric used in green building standards like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) to assess and optimize a building’s energy performance.

The other answer choices are incorrect:
A. Daylighting and views relate to indoor environmental quality, not energy use intensity.
C. ENERGY STAR is a program that rates appliances and equipment based on energy efficiency, but is not a direct measure of overall building energy use intensity.
D. The power output of a wind turbine is a measure of renewable energy production, not energy use intensity which focuses on consumption.

In summary, energy use intensity (EUI) is the key metric that directly quantifies energy consumption per unit of floor space, making B the correct answer to the question.

USGBC LEED Green Associate certification exam practice question and answer (Q&A) dump with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the USGBC LEED Green Associate exam and earn USGBC LEED Green Associate certification.