Glossary · Energy, bills & ratings
Energy use intensity (EUI)
Also called: energy use per square foot · energy use per square metre · kBtu/ft²
Yearly energy use divided by floor area, such as GJ or kWh per square metre, for comparing homes of different sizes.
What it means
Total energy use makes small homes look good and big ones look bad; EUI levels the field. It can be calculated from your bills or from an energy model. Comparing EUI before and after upgrades, or against similar homes, shows how efficient the house really is.
Why it matters in an audit
EUI is a simple way to benchmark your home and track progress toward targets such as net-zero ready.
Typical numbers
Reference values with their sources. Your energy advisor’s report gives the figure for your own house.
| What | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Definition (ENERGY STAR) | Annual energy use ÷ gross floor area; reported in kBtu/ft² or GJ/m² | energystar.gov ↗ |