Energy Efficiency in Buildings and Industry
Expert-defined terms from the Certified Professional in Climate Investment Planning course at London School of Planning and Management. Free to read, free to share, paired with a globally recognised certification pathway.
A #
A
Air Barrier #
A material or assembly of materials designed to prevent the movement of air into and out of a building enclosure.
Air Changes per Hour (ACH) #
The number of times the air in a building is replaced with outdoor air in an hour.
Annual Energy Utilization Index (AEUI) #
A measure of the energy efficiency of a building, expressed as the ratio of the actual energy used by the building to the energy that would be used by a similar building designed to meet minimum energy standards.
B #
B
Biomass #
Organic matter, such as wood, agricultural waste, or municipal solid waste, that can be burned to produce heat or electricity.
Building Envelope #
The physical barrier that separates the interior of a building from the exterior environment, including the walls, roof, windows, and doors.
C #
C
Combined Heat and Power (CHP) #
A technology that generates electricity and captures the heat normally wasted in the process, using it to provide space or water heating.
Commissioning #
The process of ensuring that a building and its systems are designed, installed, and operating according to the owner's requirements.
Condenser #
A device that removes heat from a substance, such as a refrigerant, by cooling it and converting it from a gas to a liquid.
D #
D
Demand #
Response: A program that encourages consumers to reduce their electricity usage during peak demand periods, in exchange for financial incentives.
Distributed Energy Resources (DER) #
Small-scale power generation and storage technologies, such as solar panels and batteries, that are located close to where the electricity is used.
E #
E
Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) #
A measure of the efficiency of an air-conditioning system, expressed as the ratio of the cooling capacity of the system to the amount of electricity it consumes.
Energy Management System (EMS) #
A computer-based system that monitors and controls energy usage in a building or industrial facility.
Energy Service Company (ESCO) #
A company that provides energy-saving services, such as energy audits, retrofits, and operations and maintenance, to building owners and operators.
F #
F
Fan Power Indicator (FPI) #
A measure of the energy efficiency of a fan, expressed as the ratio of the fan's power consumption to its airflow.
Fossil Fuels #
Fuels derived from the remains of ancient plants and animals, such as coal, oil, and natural gas.
G #
G
Geothermal Energy #
Energy derived from the heat of the earth's interior, used to generate electricity or provide space heating and cooling.
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) #
A gas, such as carbon dioxide, methane, or nitrous oxide, that traps heat in the atmosphere and contributes to climate change.
H #
H
Heat Exchanger #
A device that transfers heat from one medium to another, such as from the exhaust gases of a combustion engine to a cooling fluid.
Heat Recovery Ventilation (HRV) #
A system that uses the heat from exhaust air to preheat incoming fresh air, improving the energy efficiency of a building.
I #
I
Insulation #
A material or system used to reduce heat transfer between the interior and exterior of a building, improving its energy efficiency.
Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) #
A process used by utilities to plan for the future supply and demand of electricity, taking into account a range of resources, including energy efficiency and renewable energy.
L #
L
Life #
Cycle Assessment (LCA): A method for evaluating the environmental impacts of a product or service, taking into account all stages of its life, from raw material extraction to disposal.
Load Factor #
The ratio of the average power demand of a building or facility to its peak power demand.
M #
M
Microgrid #
A local energy system that can operate independently of the main power grid, providing electricity to a building or group of buildings.
Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) #
Waste generated by households and businesses, including paper, plastic, metal, and glass.
N #
N
Net #
Zero Energy Building: A building that produces as much energy as it consumes on an annual basis, through a combination of energy efficiency measures and on-site renewable energy generation.
Nighttime Ventilation #
The practice of using natural ventilation to cool a building at night, reducing the need for air conditioning during the day.
O #
O
Operational Rating #
A measure of the actual energy performance of a building, based on its actual energy use and occupancy.
Optimization #
The process of adjusting the operation of a building or system to achieve the best possible performance, taking into account factors such as energy efficiency, cost, and comfort.
P #
P
Peak Demand #
The maximum amount of electricity used by a building or facility at any one time.
Photovoltaic (PV) System #
A system that converts sunlight into electricity, using solar panels.
R #
R
Radiant Barrier #
A material, such as a reflective foil, that is used to reduce heat gain in a building by reflecting radiant heat away from the building.
Renewable Energy Certificate (REC) #
A tradable certificate that represents the environmental attributes of one megawatt-hour of renewable energy.
S #
S
Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) #
A measure of the efficiency of an air-conditioning system, expressed as the ratio of the cooling capacity of the system to the amount of electricity it consumes over a typical cooling season.
Smart Grid #
An electrical grid that uses advanced technology to monitor and control the flow of electricity, improving efficiency and reliability.
T #
T
Thermal Break #
A material or device that is used to reduce the transfer of heat through a building envelope, such as a layer of insulation between the interior and exterior of a metal window frame.
Thermal Energy Storage (TES) #
A technology that stores thermal energy, such as ice or hot water, for later use, such as to provide cooling or heating for a building.
U #
U
Underfloor Air Distribution (UFAD) #
A system that supplies air to a building through the floor, rather than through the ceiling, improving energy efficiency and indoor air quality.
U #
Value: A measure of the heat transfer through a building envelope, expressed as the amount of heat that flows through a square foot of the envelope per hour, per degree Fahrenheit difference between the indoor and outdoor temperatures.
V #
V
Variable Speed Drive (VSD) #
A device that adjusts the speed of a motor or pump to match the demand for energy, improving efficiency and reducing energy consumption.
Ventilation #
The process of supplying and removing air from a building, to maintain indoor air quality and provide comfort.
W #
W
Weather Normalization #
The process of adjusting energy use data to account for variations in weather, to allow for accurate comparisons of energy use over time.
Wind Power #
Energy derived from the wind, using wind turbines to generate electricity.
Z #
Z
Zero #
Energy Building: A building that produces as much energy as it consumes on an annual basis, through a combination of energy efficiency measures and on-site renewable energy generation.
Zone Control #
The practice of dividing a building into zones, each with its own thermostat and heating and cooling system, to improve energy efficiency and comfort.