Factsheet gives information on the design of the envelope house, criticism of the envelope design, an explanation of envelope performance, special construction details, new ideas for the envelope house and economics of the envelope.

Factsheet discusses types of air-to-air heat exchangers, their advantages and disadvantages, installation details, and how to select an air-to-air heat exchanger that is appropriate. Sections include how an air-to-air heat exchanger works, materials used for partitions, installation, condensation and frost removal, controls, maintenance, selecting a heat exchanger, and how much energy will be saved.

The superinsulated home will require a slightly higher investment and considerably more care in construction. The benefits seems to outweigh by far the disadvantages, however. The superinsulated home will require a smaller heating system and w

Asks the question, is home energy conservation a good investment, and offers two approaches to economic analysis - 'payback' and 'life cycle costing', that can help to simplify the decision making process.

Factsheet on the solar greenhouse, including an introduction to the design differences between solar and traditional greenhouses, and sections on the attached solar greenhouse, the role of conservation, solar greenhouse additions: zoning, siting the solar greenhouse, design of the solar greenhouse, framing, building permits, foundation and structure, glazing, thermal mass, heat transfer, summertime operation and cost and performance.

Notes increasing complaints in Germany with the use of air conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems, despite them creating an indoor climate meeting the stipulations of German standard DIN 1946. The complaints are mainly of draughts, dry air, stale air and variable temperatures. Attributes most causes of complaint to the systems of air supply. Examines the drawbacks of various types of air supply system - dilution ventilation, window ventilation, displacement ventilation.

Notes reasons for reducing dust concentrations in rooms - allergic reaction to pollens and mould spores, etc., plus the fact that viruses and bacteria and some substances causing smells are often attached to dust particles. 

Reports a one-day seminar addressing 'The character and control of indoor air pollution', involving experts from both the public and private sector. Summarises the problems, the pollutants involved and some possible solutions.

Describes an investigation to show that the hourly, daily and monthly energy needs of simple buildings can be estimated using only limited available weather data for the location. The data needed are the mean daily maximum and mean daily minimum temperatures and the average clearness index for each month. Uses a residential building in Ottawa, Canada for the analysis, using a computer program ENERPASS.

Laboratories with chemical fume hoods can have HVAC systems designed for variable air volume (VAV) for the optimum in safety and cost savings. Various VAV designs are discussed with their associated advantages and disadvantages. Controls for providing VAV operation of fume hoods are outlined. A computer simulation of the energy usage for constant vs. variable volume hood operation is performed. The energy and cost savings are discussed along with a construction cost comparison of constant volume with variable volume.