Results are presented that indicate a proportional relationship between residential building thermal loads for varying configuration parameters. Through the use of numerous energy building simulations using both the DOE-2.1 and BLAST energy analysis computer programs, it is shown that the form of the relationship is independent of climatic, location and covers a broad spectrum of those variables that influence a building's energy use. A simplified theoretical justification associated with such a phenomenon is presented using a multiple regression-derived algebraic expression that clearly establishes the linear independence of a building's heat gain/loss components. Procedures are defined for the simplification of future parametric studies of the thermal analysis of buildings using a methodology that incorporates the observations reported herein.

Units: Dual