In a recent survey of quantity surveyors, most believed that energy-efficient buildings are more expensive to build than conventional ones. But it isn't necessarily so by any means.

The main purpose of buildings is to provide a comfortable living environment for their occupants. This includes, among others, thermal,visual and acoustic comfort as well as indoor air quality. Except during the 1950's and 1960's, it has always been considered important that an excess use of energy should be avoided in the construction and the management of a building, sometimes even at the cost of user comfort. Energy saving is, however, not the main purpose of the building.

Good indoor air quality (IAQ) enhances occupant health, comfort and workplace productivity. This issue has become more critical in a country like Singapore that has no other natural resources except manpower. In addition, Singapore is located in the tropical region with a hot and humid climate and a large number of the buildings are served by air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation (ACMV) systems to maintain a thermally comfortable indoor environment. The provision of a thermally comfortable indoor environment for the occupants is only one aspect in achieving better indoor air quality.

Pocket sized summary of key energy data. Contains timely, clearly presented data on the supply, transformation and consumption of all major energy sources.

Habitat for Humanity affiliates and other low-cost builders can achieve annual space conditioning costs of less than $250 per year through inexpensive envelope measures and equipment 'downsizing.