Lecture

Energy Savings in Buildings

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Description

This lecture covers the topic of energy savings in buildings, focusing on passive measures. It explains the Swiss energy transition, the building as an energy system, energy consumption for various purposes, passive measures versus active systems, the concept of grey energy, building insulation, thermal imaging for heat loss detection, energy balance in buildings, the Energy Expenditure Index (IDE), and the importance of building renovation. It also discusses the use of passive solar energy and concludes by emphasizing the potential of passive measures, the decreasing thermal losses in modern buildings, the need for building renovation, the benefits of solar-oriented architecture, and the importance of addressing thermal bridges.

In MOOC

SES Swiss-Energyscope

Switzerland, like many other countries, is revising its energy strategy with a view to a transition towards a more rational use of energy, a more dynamic development of renewable energies and a progressive exit from nuclear energy. In a participatory democracy, such a process can only be based on a good understanding of the basic concepts and the issues related to technological and political choices. This course, which is open to everyone, is aimed at all citizens who wish to gain a better understanding in

Official source

Ontological neighbourhood

Mechanical engineering

Thermal engineering: Ventilation

Related concepts (32)

Passive house

Passive house (Passivhaus) is a voluntary standard for energy efficiency in a building, which reduces the building's ecological footprint. It results in ultra-low energy buildings that require little energy for space heating or cooling. A similar standard, MINERGIE-P, is used in Switzerland. The standard is not confined to residential properties; several office buildings, schools, kindergartens and a supermarket have also been constructed to the standard.

Energy conservation

Energy conservation is the effort to reduce wasteful energy consumption by using fewer energy services. This can be done by using energy more effectively (using less energy for continuous service) or changing one's behavior to use less service (for example, by driving less). Energy conservation can be achieved through efficient energy use, which has some advantages, including a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a smaller carbon footprint, as well as cost, water, and energy savings.

Passive solar building design

In passive solar building design, windows, walls, and floors are made to collect, store, reflect, and distribute solar energy, in the form of heat in the winter and reject solar heat in the summer. This is called passive solar design because, unlike active solar heating systems, it does not involve the use of mechanical and electrical devices. The key to designing a passive solar building is to best take advantage of the local climate performing an accurate site analysis.

Efficient energy use

Efficient energy use, sometimes simply called energy efficiency, is the process of reducing the amount of energy required to provide products and services. For example, insulating a building allows it to use less heating and cooling energy to achieve and maintain a thermal comfort. Installing light-emitting diode bulbs, fluorescent lighting, or natural skylight windows reduces the amount of energy required to attain the same level of illumination compared to using traditional incandescent light bulbs.

Low-energy house

A low-energy house is characterized by an energy-efficient design and technical features which enable it to provide high living standards and comfort with low energy consumption and carbon emissions. Traditional heating and active cooling systems are absent, or their use is secondary. Low-energy buildings may be viewed as examples of sustainable architecture. Low-energy houses often have active and passive solar building design and components, which reduce the house's energy consumption and minimally impact the resident's lifestyle.

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