Gives a personal assessment of the most important energy utilisation techniques. Describes low-energy buildings, the building fabric, ventilation, energy saving heating systems, including oil heating, gas heating, wood-firing systems, heat pumps, co-generation, solar systems (active), heat emission and heat control; and waterheating.

Sunlight from above can enliven a house dramatically. Designers, builders and homeowners who understand the energy aspects of skylights can best select them for comfort as well as appearance.

With its cool summers and ready supply of low-cost gas, the United Kingdom does not offer the most favourable economic conditions for the widespread application of heat pumps. However, environmental concerns have recently led to al1 increasing interest in heat pumps in this country. To find out more about this trend, the HPC asked EA Technology to report on the situation in the UK regarding C02 and CFC emissions, and on the impact this has on the application of heat pumps.

In view of the rapid expansion of the heat pump market in Japan, a rough calculation has been made to determine the expected impact of the increased use of heat pump air conditioners on the environment. It was found that, through the use of heat pumps, the emission rate of substances into the environment can be reduced in comparison to the use of fuel oil. To make efficient use of this characteristic, measures to prevent the release of refrigerant from heat pumps are required.

Since the 1992 United Nations Conference on the Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, many countries are now committed to limiting the emissions of greenhouse gases. The HPC's analysis "The Impact of heat Pumps on the Greenhouse Effect" has suggested that heat pumps can make a major contribution towards meeting this commitment, especially with regard to the reduction of Carbon dioxide emissions.