A methodology for determining energy use in residential and commerical buildings which employs non-computerized procedures is presented in this paper. The methodology was developed by giving consideration to both theoretical and empirical approaches. The development of this methodology has produced a set of algorithms which utilizes published weather data along with physical and thermal characteristics of buildings and calculates energy use related to the heating and cooling of the corresponding buildings.

The development of the methodology included a series of computer analyses on heating and cooling energy use in several buildings, as well as, performing sensitivity analysis of building elements, internal loads and ambient weather conditions. The range of expected results identified by using the methodology is presented for different building types evaluated under the study. Potential applications of the methodology, including calculation of building energy use and the effect of different energy conservation measures on the respective buildings, is also presented.