Introductory technical guidance for civil engineers, structural engineers, architectural engineers and construction managers interested in sealing exterior building wall systems to prevent air and water leakage and penetration. Here is what is discussed: 1. BUILDING ENVELOPE PERFORMANCE 2. THERMAL ENVELOPE PERFORMANCE 3. THERMAL ENVELOPE DEFECTS 4. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PROCESS. 5. AIR BARRIERS 6. VAPOR RETARDERS 7. THERMAL INSULATION 8. CONTROL OF RAIN PENETRATION 9. SEALANTS.

Introductory technical guidance for construction managers interested in construction of buildings for thermal efficiency and air tightness. Here is what is discussed: 1. BUILDING ENVELOPE PERFORMANCE, 2. THERMAL ENVELOPE PERFORMANCE, 3. THERMAL ENVELOPE DEFECTS, 4. DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PROCESS., 5. AIR BARRIERS, 6. VAPOR RETARDERS, 7. THERMAL INSULATION, 8. CONTROL OF RAIN PENETRATION, 9. SEALANTS.

Comprehensive Energy Systems, Seven Volume Set provides a unified source of information covering the entire spectrum of energy, one of the most significant issues humanity has to face. This comprehensive book describes traditional and novel energy systems, from single generation to multi-generation, also covering theory and applications. In addition, it also presents high-level coverage on energy policies, strategies, environmental impacts and sustainable development. No other published work covers such breadth of topics in similar depth. High-level sections include Energy Fundamentals, Energy Materials, Energy Production, Energy Conversion, and Energy Management. Offers the most comprehensive resource available on the topic of energy systems Presents an authoritative resource authored and edited by leading experts in the field Consolidates information currently scattered in publications from different research fields (engineering as well as physics, chemistry, environmental sciences and economics), thus ensuring a common standard and language

A reduction in the energy demand of buildings can make a major contribution to achieving national and international carbon reduction goals, in addition to addressing the interlinked issues of sustainable development, fuel poverty and fuel security. Despite improvements in thermal efficiency, the energy demand of buildings stubbornly remains unchanged, or is only declining slowly, due to the challenges posed by growing populations, the expectations of larger, more comfortable and better equipped living spaces, and an expanding commercial sector. Building Futures offers an interdisciplinary approach to explore this lack of progress, combining technical and social insights into the challenges of designing, constructing and operating new low energy buildings, as well as improving the existing, inefficient, building stock. The twin roles of energy efficiency, which is predominantly concerned with technological solutions, and energy conservation which involves changing peoples’ behaviour, are both explored. The book includes a broad geographical range and scale of case studies from the UK, Europe and further afield, including Passivhaus in Germany and the UK, Dongtan Eco City in China and retrofit houses in Denmark. This book is a valuable resource for students and academics of environmental science and energy-based subjects as well as construction and building management professionals.

Buildings are the largest energy consuming sector in the world, and account for over one-third of total final energy consumption and an equally important source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Achieving significant energy and emissions reduction in the buildings sector is a challenging but achievable policy goal. Transition to Sustainable Buildings presents detailed scenarios and strategies to 2050, and demonstrates how to reach deep energy and emissions reduction through a combination of best available technologies and intelligent public policy. This IEA study is an indispensible guide for decision makers, providing informative insights on: cost-effective options, key technologies and opportunities in the buildings sector; solutions for reducing electricity demand growth and flattening peak demand; effective energy efficiency policies and lessons learned from different countries; future trends and priorities for ASEAN, Brazil, China, the European Union, India, Mexico, Russia, South Africa and the United States; implementing a systems approach using innovative products in a cost effective manner; and pursuing whole-building (e.g. zero energy buildings) and advanced-component policies to initiate a fundamental shift in the way energy is consumed.

Energy Developments: New Forms, Renewables, Conservation is a collection of papers that discusses alternative energy sources. In discussing these energy sources, the text considers factors such as technical, economic, and human dimensions. The first part of the text presents articles that cover forms of energy, such as the feasibility of coal gasification and electric power from salinity gradients by reverse electrodialysis. Next, the book reviews materials about renewable forms of energy that include genetically improved hardwoods as a potential energy source and heat pump investigations for northern climate applications. In the last part, the text provides studies that deal with energy conservation, such as shared savings financing for energy efficiency and consumer information, and government energy conservation incentive programs. The book will be of use to scientists, engineers, and technicians involved in the research, development, and implementation of alternative energy technology.

Health and environmental compatibility are key topics in contemporary society. The book shows how the built environment can be aesthetically pleasing, modern and, at the same time, healthy and environmentally friendly. It makes the link between architecture as a design task and a building biology approach to design. Building biology teaches us about the holistic interaction between people and their built environment. It combines building culture with ecology and disciplines such as chemistry, biology, geology, and psychology. Using the building of the Institute of Building Biology + Sustainability (IBN) as a model, building biology criteria and approaches are explained in detail. Numerous additional current projects illustrate how these are implemented in responsible, healthy, and hence sustainable architecture.