Which metrics are crucial for measuring energy performance in buildings?

Energy use intensity (EUI) and total energy consumption are fundamental metrics for assessing a building's energy performance. EUI provides insight into the energy efficiency of a building by quantifying energy consumption on a per square foot basis, allowing for comparisons across different building types and sizes. It offers a standardized measure that helps identify how effectively a building utilizes energy resources relative to its size.

Total energy consumption, on the other hand, measures the actual amount of energy used by the building over a specific period. This metric is crucial for understanding the overall energy demand and operational performance of the building. By evaluating both EUI and total energy consumption, building owners and operators can identify patterns, set benchmarks, and implement energy-saving strategies tailored to improve energy efficiency.

In contrast, building occupancy rates, construction costs, and employee satisfaction levels, while important in their own contexts, do not directly measure the energy performance of a building. They may influence energy consumption indirectly, but they do not provide specific numerical data that relates to energy efficiency or performance in the same direct manner as EUI and total energy consumption.