Certified Energy Manager Practice Exam

What does the Energy Use Index (EUI) measure?

1. The total energy output per employee

2. The ratio of total Btu used per year to square footage of conditioned space

3. The tracking of energy costs over time

4. Energy efficiency compared across different sectors

The correct answer is: The ratio of total Btu used per year to square footage of conditioned space

The Energy Use Index (EUI) serves as a crucial metric in evaluating the energy performance of buildings. It quantifies the amount of energy consumed (typically measured in British thermal units, or Btu) relative to the size of the building, specifically the square footage of conditioned space. This ratio provides a standardized way to assess energy usage, allowing for comparisons across different buildings and time periods. By focusing on the energy consumed per unit of area, EUI becomes an essential tool in identifying trends in energy efficiency, benchmarking against similar buildings, and recognizing opportunities for energy savings. A lower EUI indicates better energy performance, suggesting that the building uses less energy to maintain comfortable conditions. Other options reflect different concepts not directly aligned with the specific measurement provided by EUI. For example, total energy output per employee pertains more to productivity measures rather than building energy consumption. Tracking energy costs over time relates to financial analysis instead of energy performance metrics. Similarly, while energy efficiency comparisons across sectors are valuable, they expand beyond the specific premise of the EUI, which is fundamentally about the energy usage of buildings based solely on size.