PapersFlow Research Brief
Building energy efficiency and sustainability
Research Guide
What is Building energy efficiency and sustainability?
Building energy efficiency and sustainability refers to practices in building construction and operation that minimize energy consumption, enhance thermal performance, and reduce environmental impact through methods like passive cooling, insulation, ventilation, and retrofitting.
The field encompasses 23,001 works focused on energy efficiency in building construction, sustainable architecture, fire resistance, thermal insulation, renovation management, environmental engineering, precast residential buildings, ventilation systems, and urban renewal. Nicol and Humphreys (2009) derived adaptive equations for thermal comfort in free-running buildings as specified in European standard EN15251, addressing occupant comfort without mechanical systems. Balaras et al. (2004) analyzed heating energy consumption in European apartment buildings, linking it to environmental impacts.
Topic Hierarchy
Research Sub-Topics
Thermal Insulation in Buildings
Researchers calculate U-values, heat transfer coefficients, and insulation materials per standards like EN ISO 6946. Studies optimize retrofits for energy savings in residential structures.
Building Energy Performance Simulation
This area develops models for space heating/cooling loads following EN 15251 adaptive comfort standards. Validation compares simulations to measured data in free-running buildings.
Passive Cooling Strategies
Studies evaluate natural ventilation, shading, and thermal mass for cooling without mechanical systems. Climate-specific analyses assess comfort in sustainable architecture.
Building Retrofit and Renovation
Research identifies barriers, incentives, and energy yields from retrofitting existing stock like UK apartments. Case studies quantify environmental impacts post-renovation.
Air Tightness and Ventilation Systems
Measurements quantify leakage in lightweight houses, linking to energy loss and IAQ. Designs integrate mechanical ventilation with heat recovery for balanced efficiency.
Why It Matters
Building energy efficiency directly reduces the 40% of total annual EU energy consumption attributed to buildings, as noted in Asimakopoulos (2013) on passive cooling alternatives to air-conditioning. Retrofitting public buildings yields energy savings and environmental benefits, with Ardente et al. (2010) quantifying these outcomes from retrofit actions. In residential contexts, Balaras et al. (2004) showed heating energy use in European apartments contributes significantly to environmental impact, while Dowson et al. (2012) identified barriers to UK domestic retrofits under the Green Deal, highlighting incentives needed for performance improvements. Kalamees (2006) measured air tightness in Estonian houses, demonstrating leakage impacts on efficiency.
Reading Guide
Where to Start
"Derivation of the adaptive equations for thermal comfort in free-running buildings in European standard EN15251" by Nicol and Humphreys (2009), as it provides foundational equations for non-mechanical comfort, central to efficiency without complex retrofits.
Key Papers Explained
Nicol and Humphreys (2009) establish adaptive comfort baselines in "Derivation of the adaptive equations for thermal comfort in free-running buildings in European standard EN15251", which Asimakopoulos (2013) builds on in "Passive Cooling of Buildings" by applying passive techniques to reduce the 40% EU building energy share. Balaras et al. (2004) extend this to quantitative impacts in "Heating energy consumption and resulting environmental impact of European apartment buildings", while Ardente et al. (2010) and Dowson et al. (2012) evaluate retrofit applications in public and domestic settings from "Energy and environmental benefits in public buildings as a result of retrofit actions" and "Domestic UK retrofit challenge: Barriers, incentives and current performance leading into the Green Deal".
Paper Timeline
Most-cited paper highlighted in red. Papers ordered chronologically.
Advanced Directions
Research emphasizes quantifying retrofit benefits and air tightness in residential structures, as in Kalamees (2006) and Dowson et al. (2012), with ongoing focus on integrating passive cooling from Asimakopoulos (2013) into urban renewal standards.
Papers at a Glance
| # | Paper | Year | Venue | Citations | Open Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Derivation of the adaptive equations for thermal comfort in fr... | 2009 | Building and Environment | 504 | ✕ |
| 2 | Nowa polska norma "Konstrukcje betonowe, żelbetowe i sprężone"... | 2003 | Budownictwo Górnicze i... | 317 | ✕ |
| 3 | Passive Cooling of Buildings | 2013 | — | 313 | ✕ |
| 4 | Energy performance of buildings. Calculation of energy use for... | 2008 | — | 298 | ✕ |
| 5 | Obliczanie współczynnika przenikania ciepła wg PN-EN ISO 6946:... | 1999 | MATERIAŁY BUDOWLANE | 272 | ✕ |
| 6 | Heating energy consumption and resulting environmental impact ... | 2004 | Energy and Buildings | 260 | ✕ |
| 7 | Domestic UK retrofit challenge: Barriers, incentives and curre... | 2012 | Energy Policy | 247 | ✕ |
| 8 | Energy and environmental benefits in public buildings as a res... | 2010 | Renewable and Sustaina... | 241 | ✕ |
| 9 | Measurements of temperature distribution in ground | 2001 | Experimental Thermal a... | 213 | ✕ |
| 10 | Air tightness and air leakages of new lightweight single-famil... | 2006 | Building and Environment | 186 | ✕ |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are adaptive thermal comfort equations in free-running buildings?
Nicol and Humphreys (2009) derived adaptive equations for thermal comfort in free-running buildings in "Derivation of the adaptive equations for thermal comfort in free-running buildings in European standard EN15251". These equations relate indoor comfort temperatures to outdoor conditions without mechanical cooling. They form part of EN15251 standards for naturally ventilated spaces.
How does passive cooling reduce building energy use?
Asimakopoulos (2013) explains in "Passive Cooling of Buildings" that passive methods serve as alternatives to air-conditioning amid rising interest in cutting energy use. Buildings account for 40% of EU annual energy consumption. Passive cooling fundamentals lower this demand through design strategies.
What is the environmental impact of heating in European apartment buildings?
Balaras et al. (2004) assessed heating energy consumption and environmental impact in "Heating energy consumption and resulting environmental impact of European apartment buildings". Their analysis quantifies energy use and associated emissions. Results emphasize retrofit needs for sustainability.
What barriers exist to domestic retrofitting in the UK?
Dowson et al. (2012) examined barriers, incentives, and performance in "Domestic UK retrofit challenge: Barriers, incentives and current performance leading into the Green Deal". Key issues include cost and awareness ahead of policy changes. Solutions involve targeted incentives for energy savings.
How is air tightness measured in new houses?
Kalamees (2006) measured air tightness and leakages in "Air tightness and air leakages of new lightweight single-family detached houses in Estonia". Tests revealed leakage paths affecting energy efficiency. Tightness improvements enhance overall building performance.
What benefits come from retrofitting public buildings?
Ardente et al. (2010) detailed energy and environmental gains in "Energy and environmental benefits in public buildings as a result of retrofit actions". Retrofits reduce consumption and emissions. Quantified outcomes support investment in such measures.
Open Research Questions
- ? How can adaptive thermal comfort models from EN15251 be optimized for diverse climates beyond Europe?
- ? What retrofit strategies maximize energy savings in aging European apartment buildings while minimizing costs?
- ? How do air leakage patterns in lightweight prefabricated houses vary across regions like Estonia?
- ? Which passive cooling techniques most effectively replace air-conditioning in high-energy-use buildings?
- ? How do ground temperature distributions influence long-term efficiency of shallow geothermal systems in buildings?
Recent Trends
The field includes 23,001 works with sustained focus on thermal comfort, passive strategies, and retrofits, as evidenced by high citations for Nicol and Humphreys (2009, 504 citations), Asimakopoulos (2013, 313 citations), and Dowson et al. (2012, 247 citations).
No recent preprints or news in the last 12 months indicate steady maturation rather than rapid shifts.
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