Describes how home performance contractors in New York are able to partner up to benefit from the US Energy Star program. Homeowners can elect to have a comprehensive package of building performance work done on their home by a certified contractor through this new state initiative. Many homes suffer from unnecessary health, safety and comfort problems due to improperly installed mechanical systems, inadequate insulation levels, and uncontrolled air infiltration.

Discusses the importance of selling the cost benefit of tight building practices in the absence of national or local codes or regulations to mandate well-sealed apartment buildings. States that studies carried out by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation have found that air leakage in apartment buildings can contribute to as much as 20% of the annual space-heating energy load. It also represents a substantial proportion of the peak space-heating load.

Discusses some of the many myths of energy efficient behaviour, and the importance of scepticism and awareness.

When natural ventilation is being used, the quality of the air inside a building depends on the quality of the outside air. What is the outside air quality trend in the urban environment and what are the forecasts for the future? How is air quality measured and what are the expected European standards for outside air quality in 2010? The implications of these developments for the hybrid ventilation of buildings close to roads and motorways are explained.

Hybrid ventilation systems may consist of a combination of natural ventilation for air supply and a mechanical exhaust system. The quality level of thermal comfort is influenced by e.g. the way of air supply, the heating system at the facade and internal heat loads. This article deals with these parameters and their influence on the indoor climate based on research in climatic chambers.

By now hybrid ventilation systems are being used successfully in many projects. Three projects will be used to create a picture of the way in which the hybrid ventilation system has been used and of the experience with it. It can be concluded on the basis of these projects that hybrid ventilation is readily applicable and has a positive effect on comfort.

States that the poor indoor air quality of US schools has become a real concern for students, parents and educators. This article discusses why the problem exists. A second article is to cover source management and mechanical controls, and a third will provide a summary and list addional resources. States that modern schools are differently designed; buildings used to be able to handle small, common rainwater leaks without growing mould because they were constructed of masonry, steel, ceramics and plaster.

The brief for this university campus design required a low energy building for the business school and the education faculty, with a wide variety of room sizes and functions. The work included ensuring that the European Commission (Thermie programme) and the British Ministry for Energy DTI financed the low energy strategy. The energy strategy is based on a well-insulated building, a low energy ventilation system, passive solar energy gain, using direct daylight, using a building-integrated photovoltaic system. The buildings are very compact and well insulated.