<p>Consumers often lack objective information about product acquisition costs. In such cases, consumers must rely on estimates of acquisition costs in making their choices. The current work examines the influence of mental simulations of product acquisition on estimates of acquisition costs. We suggest that simulations of product acquisition lead estimates to reflect the influence of consumers' current physical states on the experience of a particular cost. Specifically, carrying a heavy burden leads consumers to estimate higher distances to targets when they engage in simulation of walking to targets, but not when they do not engage in such simulation.</p><p>Simulation can be either deliberate or spontaneous. Deliberate simulation is engaged when consumers intentionally simulate an action. Spontaneous simulation requires particular conditions for its occurrence, but does not require conscious intent. The specific conditions for the occurrence of spontaneous simulation are the availability of situational inputs and that action be possible in the given situation. We support these ideas in a series of studies.</p><p>Study 1 demonstrates preference shifts that occur as a consequence of participants carrying heavy burdens. Participants in this study shifted their preference from an option located a visible but undefined distance away towards one that was available at their current location. Study 2 supports the theory that this shift occurs as a consequence of alterations in estimates of acquisition costs by showing that burdened participants estimate distances as greater than do unburdened participants. </p><p>Study 3 provides evidence for the role of mental simulation in producing such changes in estimated acquisition costs by showing that the distance expansion first demonstrated in study 2 occurs when targets are visible, but not when targets are not visible. This result is consistent with the central contention of this dissertation that visibility is critical for spontaneous simulation. Together, the studies support the role of spontaneous simulation in burden leading to distance expansion. Study 4 provides further support for the role of simulation in producing the effects of physical state on estimated acquisition costs by showing deliberate simulation results in similar distance to that of spontaneous simulation. </p><p>Studies 5 and 6 further demonstrate the dual roles of spontaneous and deliberate simulation on distance expansion. They show that expansion does not occur when targets are not reachable because they are up in the air (study 5). However, deliberate simulation of realistic (climbing - study 5) or unrealistic (flying - study 6) action restores distance expansion in those circumstances, supporting the role of simulation in leading to consideration of physical state in estimated acquisition costs.</p><p>The final study ties together these results by demonstrating the effects of both spontaneous and deliberate simulation in a single setting. Varying both the availability of conditions supporting spontaneous simulation and instructions for deliberate simulation the study allows an examination of the comparative effects of the two types of simulation and of their potential interaction. The study finds that deliberate simulation may produce effects that are larger than those of spontaneous simulation, but spontaneous simulation does not seem to enhance the effects of deliberate simulation.</p> / Dissertation

The topic of this thesis is comparing of two houses made out of tree different materials. Each variants are valuated by cost method – detailed itemized budget, budgetary index and estimation according to Decree 441/2013 Coll. The objective of this thesis is comparing of used construction materials, its advantages and disadvantages and its effect on the initial costs and usage of the building.

The subject of the diploma thesis is the design and the assessment of two variants of existing HVAC system, that serves the microelectronic laboratory premises of GL Electronic company, which are situated in JIC INMEC center. The aim of the designing process is to find the optimal solution of the problem, which is concerned of excessive air humidity gains in the clean rooms. The first proposed approach is the installation of controlled dehumidification in the form of direct cooling into the yet existing device. The second considered approach is a complete deconstruction of implemented air conditioning unit and subsequent reinstalling of the brand new unit, which would meet all the requirements. Both two variants will be in the beginning outlined in a form of pre-study, selected option will be later on processed as project documentation for construction. The winning solution will be designed in the way that will satisfie the criteria of hygiene, function, and economy. The next section of the text will be dedicated to the research regarding the topic of the physical nature of air humidity, of the transportation of humidity, dehumidification of the space, also. Last but not least, the heat recovery efficiency will be measured (in the form of thermal glycol tubes). The experiment provides evidence of the system's real-time performance.

The theoretical part deals at the beginning with wooden buildings and suitable materials. Then information about low energy houses, passive houses and requirements for new buildings is introduced. The theoretical part of the work also summarizes the selection of the technological solution. Important part is about individual life cycle stages of the building, wear and tear of the buildings and whole life costs of the building that the investor is interested in. Practical part of the thesis consists of a case study of the wooden family house where the whole life costs of the building life cycle are solved.

The subjects of this thesis are low-energy and passive houses. The main objective is to compare the acquisition costs and operating cost of the low energy and passive houses with conventional construction of houses offering the real estate market, respectively evaluating of investments in energy-efficient buildings. Furthermore, the work focuses on the history, properties and basic problems of designing energy efficient buildings with subsequent by an assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of their implementation. Klíčová slova