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Urban heat island and global warming increase ambient temperature and modify the energy budget of buildings. The magnitude of the modification has been evaluated in a large number of articles, under different climatic and building boundary conditions. This paper collects, analyzes and classifies existing knowledge regarding the energy impact of urban heating to buildings and calculates preliminary indicators and impact figures. Based on the analysis of the impact studies, it is found that in average the cooling load of typical urban buildings is by 13% higher compared to similar buildings in rural areas. Four specific energy impact indicators, the global energy penalty per m 2 , the global energy penalty per m 2 and degree of UHI, the global energy penalty per person and the global energy penalty per person and per degree of the UHI are defined and calculated. The variability of the heating and cooling loads of typical buildings is evaluated for the period 1970–2010. The average increase of the cooling demand is 23% while the corresponding average reduction of the heating is 19%. In total, the average energy consumption of typical buildings for heating and cooling purposes increased by 11% for the same period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This research focuses on projecting the energy demand of the building sector in Greece by calculating energy consumption, using output data from regional climate models up to 2100. More specifically, Greece was subdivided into 13 climatic zones after assessing climate model data taking into account climate change estimates for the period 2010–2100. These zones allow a detailed estimation of the effects of climate change in specific regions of the country, thus creating a database which is used to model the energy demand of the building sector in each zone. Through the use of building data from Eurostat and the European Centre for Environment, a set of three building typologies was created in relation to the building envelope, which corresponds to 85% of the building stock in Greece. These typologies were later appended to each of the 13 climatic zones and a simulation for their energy demand was calculated using climatic data from 3 distinct climatic scenarios. Results show that the energy demand for heating the building sector in Greece could decrease by about 50%, while the respective energy demand for cooling could increase by as much as 248% until 2100. These effects are more evident in the Southern part of the country. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This work developed a methodology and an associated calculation platform in order to identify the economic efficient design solutions for residential Net Zero Energy Building (NZEB) design considering the influence of the local climate, the endogenous energy resources and the local economic conditions. One case study of a detached house for 3 climates was analyzed with the tool developed in order to gain insights on the economic space of NZEB solutions and the influence of the climatic context. A methodology for assisting the choice of economically efficient NZEB solutions from the early design stage is now available. Its use in practice may be of great relevance as the results showed that the differences between an economically efficient and economically inefficient NZEB can be over three times both in terms of initial and life cycle cost. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Commonly used materials in the construction of the building façades located in warm climates, often entrap a great amount of heat from the incoming solar radiation, leading to a respective thermal increase in the interior. The aim of the present study is to examine mineral-based coatings as a passive solar technique that contributes to buildings’ energy efficiency. A series of mineral based samples are developed and tested. Their thermal performance is estimated by infrared thermography and surface temperature measurements. Their optical properties are also measured while the energy efficiency is quantified using simulation techniques. The results revealed that renders based on hydraulic and/or hydrated lime with additions of calcium carbonate powder, as well as mineral paints comprised either of lime wash or silicate minerals can behave as cool coatings and contribute to a significant reduction of the cooling demand in warm climates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]