Two energy-efficient single-family houses (known as ESPI houses) with competitive overallcosts were set up during the study in Finland. The consumption of energy for room heating inESPI houses was reduced to a half at the construction stage, by employing simple solutionswhich can be used by every builder. The level of thermal insulation of the houses wasimproved remarkably. The houses were equipped with a controlled ventilation system and anefficient exhaust air heat recovery unit. One of the houses was oil heated and the other waselectrically heated.

The envelope as fictional building element acts as a filter intended to regulate energy andmass flows. The overall performance of the envelope is ascertained by the combined effects ofthe functional components. Thus a methodical approach is required for the comparativeappraisal of envelope alternatives in terms of multiple perfomance requirements andidentication of the best overall performer.

This study aims to introduce a methodology which enables to revise the limit values of overallheat transfer coefficient in accordance with the building form from thermal comfort andenergy conservation point of view.In order to prevent excess heat loss, building should be designed as passive heating system.Overall heat transfer coefficient (U-value) of building envelope and building form can beconsidered as the most important parameters of the passive heating system. Therefore, U-valueof building envelope should be determined depending on building form.

Field measurements were made during the heating season to compare IAQ between an air– conditioned building (Building A) and a naturally ventilated building (Building B) situated in the centre of Pyongyang and similar in architectural design, number of occ

Air change rates, indoor radon and carbon dioxide levels were monitored in a lecture theatre in the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. Two preliminary measurements (Cases 1 and 2) and one series of demand control ventilation simulation (Case 3) were made to investigate the indoor air quality of the lecture theatre. Radon and carbon dioxide levels were found to be relatively high in Case 1 and later improved at the expense of operating the system catering for maximum occupancy in Case 2.

The improvement of air quality due to self-restricted air consumption in regions as well as globally appears to have considerable promise. Self-restriction means the normalised air (energy) consumption reasonable for favourable conditions of life and work. It will allow the use of the compensation concept when the consumption is higher than normal. This method enables us to select environment-friendly means of energy production as well as consumption taking into account the peculiarities of regions.

In a cold climate such as of Montreal the air infiltration through the exterior envelope of a house has a significant impact on the heating energy consumption and cost. Although the reduction of the air infiltration rate to the level of new well-built houses can lead to the reduction of heating energy cost, the present cost-effectiveness of its implementation in the existing houses is low. The evaluation of the environmental impact of this energy conservation measure is performed using the GWP (Global Warming Potential) index.

Three buildings are investigated to study the indoor air quality and the impact of the outdoorair pollution. These buildings, a swimming pool, a school and a nursery are located in anurban area. So, during experimental studies, typical outdoor and indoor pollutants such ascarbon monoxyde, nitrogen dioxyde, carbon dioxyde, and total volatile organic compoundsare monitored. Also, the relative humidity and the temperature are carried out. The analysisallows us to reveal several points.

Chinese food is delicious. There are many kinds of cuisine. But the stir-fry, fry and deep-fry produce a large amount of steam and smoke which cause indoor air pollution seriously. So it must be controlled. The paper gets some flow distribution regularity of steam and smoke current in Chinese cooking by testing in laboratory and advances a new method to prevent the diffusion of smoking current-kitchen hood with forced air screen. By comparing with other removers, the equipment can save heat (cold) load and improve indoor air condition greatly.

Rooms with high windows are likely to have comfort problems caused by cold airdowndraught, which are usually solved by placing heating appliances underneath thewindows. In the city of Zug, Switzerland, a highly insulated educational building with aconcrete core system for heating and cooling is planned. The purpose of our investigation wasto find out whether any measures are necessary in this building to compensate the effects ofdowndraught in the occupied zone. Special attention has been paid to the effect of passivemeasures like air flow obstacles or openings in the window sill.