This book challenges conventional wisdom by showing how, in some circumstances, improved energy efficiency may increase energy consumption. Relying upon energy efficiency to reduce carbon emissions could therefore be misguided. This book explores the broader implications for climate change and sustainable consumption.

As the residential buildings sector accounts for around 30 percent of the final energy demand in Germany, this sector is increasingly becoming the focus of public attention with regard to climate change. In this book, decisions on energy consumption by private households are examined. The analyses are based on several empirical methods. The results show that the road to more sustainable energy consumption in residential buildings is not hampered by a lack of will on behalf of the consumers. However one should be realistic that there are many instances where improving thermal institution involves additional economic costs for individual households.

Handbook of Energy Efficiency in Buildings: A Life Cycle Approach offers a comprehensive and in-depth coverage of the subject with a further focus on the Life Cycle. The editors, renowned academics, invited a diverse group of researchers to develop original chapters for the book and managed to well integrate all contributions in a consistent volume. Sections cover the role of the building sector on energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, international technical standards, laws and regulations, building energy efficiency and zero energy consumption buildings, the life cycle assessment of buildings, from construction to decommissioning, and other timely topics. The multidisciplinary approach to the subject makes it valuable for researchers and industry based Civil, Construction, and Architectural Engineers. Researchers in related fields as built environment, energy and sustainability at an urban scale will also benefit from the books integrated perspective. - Presents a complete and thorough coverage of energy efficiency in buildings - Provides an integrated approach to all the different elements that impact energy efficiency - Contains coverage of worldwide regulation

Buildings have a long lifetime, and so they are a major target for any structural changes in consumption patterns. Conversely, long lifetimes come with associated strong inertia. This book examines the opportunities to influence energy consumption in housing and buildings, and provides options for implementation at a macro, meso and micro level.

This book provides a comprehensive analysis of household consumption patterns in five key areas: food, tourism-related travel, energy, water and waste generation.

This multidisciplinary study combines social science, energy analysis, and risk communication, using theory, research, and computer-aided interviews to illustrate the range and relative effectiveness of interventions that support sustainable energy consumption. Based on award-winning research at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, the book combines analytical modeling techniques with social science on sustainable consumption.

The book covers chapters ranging from introduction to recent technological challenges, case studies of energy-efficient buildings with policy and awareness issues, fundamentals and present status along with research updates and future aspects on topics focusing on energy-efficient construction, materials Provides comprehensive information on energy efficient buildings including policy and energy audit aspects with case studies Examines application of PCMs in passive heating and cooling in buildings; role of active TES and energy saving potential