Efficiency tools

Consumption and Gross Energy Intensity for Major Fuels (thousand Btu/square foot)
Avg. for Office buildings constructed 1990-2003 = 88.0
Avg. for Office buildings constructed 1960-1989 = 94.4
Avg. for Education buildings constructed 1990-2003 = 80.6
Avg. for Education buildings constructed 1960-1989 = 88.4
Avg. for Health Care buildings constructed 1990-2003 = 135.7
Avg. for Health Care buildings constructed 1960-1989 = 215.8
US Dept of Energy, Energy Information Administration

Standards measuring energy efficiency across different building types used for comparison study by the project design team are known as:
A. models
B. specifications
C. benchmarks
D. guides

AnswerC. benchmarks. Benchmarking provides a way to gauge how well a design compares to similar buildings and how well it might achieve project specific targets or goals.
ARE 4.0 exam prep: SPD

Reference tip: US Dept of Energy provides data and analysis of energy consumption for many building types, access the Energy Information Administration's tables here (most useful are tables C3 and C12)