Nearly zero energy building refurbishment : a multidisciplinary approach / Fernando Pacheco Torgal [and others], editors.

The recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) was adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union on 19 May 2010. For new buildings, the recast fixes 2020 as the deadline for all new buildings to be nearly zero energy (and even sooner for public buildings by the end of 2018). This book gives practitioner an important tool to tackle the challenges of building refurbishment towards nearly zero energy. This book is welcome at this time and sets the scene for professionals whether practitioners or researchers to learn more about how we can.

Introduction / Fernando Pacheco Torgal -- Policy Instruments: The Case of Germany / Sven Schimschar -- Built Environment Life Cycle Process and Climate Change / Artūras Kaklauskas and Fernando Pacheco Torgal -- Benefits of Refurbishment / Marina Mistretta and Marco Beccali -- Modelling the Occupant Behaviour Impact on Buildings Energy Prediction / João Virote and Rui Neves-Silva -- Uncertainty in Refurbishment Investment / Carol C. Menassa and Wilson Ortiz-Vega -- Energy Performance of Buildings: A Comparison of Standard Assessment Methods / R. Pernetti, L. Magnani and A. Magrini -- Life Cycle Energy Performance Evaluation / Patxi Hernandez -- Refurbishment Scenario to Shift Nearly Net ZEBs Toward Net ZEB Target: An Italian Case Study / Marina Mistretta and Matteo Arcoleo -- A Multiple-Case Study of Passive House Retrofits of School Buildings in Austria / Xavier Dequaire -- State of the Art on Retrofit Strategies Selection Using Multi-objective Optimization and Genetic Algorithms / Ehsan Asadi and M. Gameiro da Silva -- Multiple-Criteria Analysis of Life Cycle of Energy-Efficient Built Environment / Artūras Kaklauskas -- Toxicity Issues: Indoor Air Quality / Maite de Blas -- Toxicity Issues: Radon / Fernando Pacheco Torgal -- Ventilation: Thermal Efficiency and Health Aspects / J. Laverge -- Insulation Materials Made with Vegetable Fibres / Xiaoshu Lü, Tao Lu and Olli Lipponen -- High-Performance Insulation Materials / Hans-Peter Ebert -- Thermal Energy Storage Technologies / R. Parameshwaran and S. Kalaiselvam -- Phase-Change Materials Use in Nearly Zero Energy Building Refurbishment / Luisa F. Cabeza and A. Inés Fernández -- Nanogel Windows / Cinzia Buratti and Elisa Moretti -- Switchable Glazing Technology: Electrochromic Fenestration for Energy-Efficient Buildings / Claes G. Granqvist -- Solar Photovoltaic/Thermal Technologies and Their Application in Building Retrofitting / Xudong Zhao and Xingxing Zhang.

Includes bibliographical references.