English

In 1989 the "Advanced House" was constructed in Brampton, Ontario as an example of leading-edge energy-efficient and environmentally responsible housing . It is part of Canada's contribution to the International Energy Agency Task XIII Advanced Solar/Low Energy Residential Buildings, which examines innovative methods of reducing residential energy consumption.

The energy consumption for heating has in many countries been greatly reduced over the last few years. This is mostly achieved by the use of traditional energy conservation and solar technologies. The total energy consumption, especially in residential buildings, is, however, still large and warrants considerable effort. To obtain a significant further reduction in the energy consumption for heating, and also to reduce the consumption for cooling, ventilation, and lighting, it has become necessary to develop new building concepts.

Across the world, the dominant form of building construction is heavy, load-bearing masonry or poured concrete, not timber- or steelframe. It is possible to make these buildings very energy-efficient, but they present very different problems from those associated with timber-frame buildings.

By using balanced, mechanical ventilation with a high efficiency regenerative heat exchanger it is possible to achieve twice the ventilation rote required by the Norwegian Building Code, and still consume less than half the normal amount of energy. This is the conclusion drawn from extensive measurements made in a Norwegian single Family home last winter. The measurements were made by the EMTEK-programme, which is a Norwegian government programme to promote the introduction of energy efficient products.

Phil Dolley of ETSU reports on research aimed at reducing energy consumption through carefully considered building design.

Although the great majority of British dwellings are heated by individual gas systems, there are some instances, particularly in blocks of flats and retirement homes, where individual gas appliances cannot be specified. In these buildings the alternative to individual systems is a group heating scheme whereby a central boiler plant supplies hot water to each flat for heating and domestic hot water. In the past, group heating systems have not always been successful. Comparative results show that energy use of group heating systems is, on average, 50% higher than that of individual systems.

Unique air flow windows and dual air-conditioning systems provide occupant comfort and energy conservation.