Describes a newly-developed engineering model which has made it possible to assess large numbers of U.S. commercial buildings with a relatively small number of computer simulations. The model aggregates energy use over different climates, fuel types, building sizes and building types. States the resulting information indicates the extent to which a building component affects building energy use, enabling researchers to focus on developing technologies in those areas with the highest energy-saving potential. The information also suggests which building components to focus on in those same areas for development of building energy conservation standards. The method is currently used to analyse the effects of applying energy-efficiency standards to new commercial buildings constructed in the USA.

KEYWORDS: year 1995, Buildings, USA, energy conservation, calculating, commercial