When to use this calculator
Normalise entered building energy use by floor area. Use comparable energy scope, floor-area definition and reporting period before benchmarking.
Explore the electricity use & bills calculators for other questions in this topic. For a related calculation, use the Electricity Bill Calculator: Combine metered energy charges and a fixed daily charge.
PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE
Building Energy Intensity: a worked example
The values below are an illustrative example, not a recommendation. Replace them with measurements or assumptions that match your question.
| Input | Example value |
|---|---|
| Period building energy (kWh) | 12,000 |
| Floor area (m²) | 100 |
| Result | 120 kWh/m² per entered period |
- Check the input labels and enter the example values above.
- Apply the relationship: Energy intensity = period energy/floor area.
- The result is 120 kWh/m² per entered period, rounded for display.
How to interpret your result
Use comparable energy scope, floor-area definition and reporting period before benchmarking.
Watts describe power and kilowatt-hours describe energy. Fixed charges do not vary directly with consumption. Devices with thermostats or cycling loads need measured average energy or realistic operating time.
Frequently asked questions
Can I multiply rated watts by 24 hours for every appliance?
Only if it actually draws that power continuously. Cycling and variable-power appliances require a better average-use estimate.
When is the building energy intensity calculator useful?
Normalise entered building energy use by floor area. Use comparable energy scope, floor-area definition and reporting period before benchmarking.
How do I use the building energy intensity calculator?
Enter period building energy (kwh), floor area (m²). The result updates automatically. Use the units shown beside each input; the example values illustrate the method.
Which formula does this calculator use?
Energy intensity = period energy/floor area.
What should I check before using the result?
Use comparable energy scope, floor-area definition and reporting period before benchmarking.
How are results rounded?
Scalar numbers display up to six decimal places, with scientific notation for very large or small values. Text, fraction, date and schedule outputs use the format described on the tool. Intermediate calculations use JavaScript floating-point arithmetic. Keep sensible precision for your measurements.
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