The role and influence of building services engineers is undergoing rapid change and is pivotal to achieving low-carbon buildings. However, textbooks in the field have remained fairly traditional with a detailed focus on the technicalities of HVAC systems, often with little wider context. This book addresses that need by embracing a contemporary understanding of sustainability imperatives, together with a practical approach to the key issues impacting upon energy efficiency, in a concise manner. The essential conceptual design issues for planning the principal building services systems that influence energy efficiency are examined in detail. These systems are heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) and electric power distribution.
In addition, the following issues are addresses in turn: Background issues for sustainability and the design process Practical measures for energy-efficient design How to undertake load assessments System comparison and selection The key aspects of design integration with other disciplines Post-occupancy evaluation of completed building services In order to deliver sustainable buildings, a new perspective is needed amongst building and services engineering practitioners, from the outset of the conceptual design stage and throughout the whole design process. In this book, students and practitioners alike will find the ideal introduction and guide to this new approach.
