This study uses survey data relating to the United States commercial sector to estimate and interpret annual energy demand relationships in which account is taken of energy and non-energy prices, building characteristics, and weather information. It applies the estimated US relationships to the Canadian context, where no comparable survey information is at present available, to infer energy use and cost in buildings with specified characteristics located in major cities across the country. The results provide strong evidence of the value of information, from a properly designed survey, for identifying and analysing patterns of energy use in the commercial sector.