Thesis (Ph.D.)--University of Oslo, 1998. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.U.D.)--University of Hong Kong, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 107-109) Also available in print.

Thesis (MTech (Informatics and Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2011 / Typically the design of interior environments in the commercial spaces are conceptualised and built to create artificial environments. These environments fail to take into account the amounts of energy used to perpetuate the conditions in the spaces used.The main area of misuse lies in the usage of the interior environmental systems by occupants, which contributes to the inefficiency of these components.

Foreward As this study is being written, it is still unclear as to whether the United States will have an effective national energy policy. For the moment, at least, energy is a political football which pits the haves against the have nots, one source of energy against another, and even groups who wish to maintain the capital center of the United States in the northeast against those who see a shift of commercial and business interest to the so-called Sunbelt states in the south and soutwest. But irrespective of politics, one fact is crystal clear. For a variety of reasons, the cost of energy is climbing at ever accelerating rates. Now there are those who say that all costs of energy will double every 3% years. There are also those who say that a bill of $100,000 for energy this year will be $800,000 in five or seven years. Thus, even if there were no other reasons for concern, the cost factor should motivate the reader to do "something" about their energy bill. When one stops to realize that 50% of the energy purchased in commercial establishments is wasted, then it would appear that something can be done provided, of course, that the reader really wants to do something about their own situation. But there is a catch to all of this. Since 1973 and even up to the present, restaurateurs have been able to pass on their inflated costs to the consumer. In the last few years, it has been hard to interest anyone in the elimination of waste for the reason that it was easy to pass on these costs to the consumer. But now, quietly and insidiously, a major event is taking place before our very eyes without most people being aware of what is happening. The consumer is refusing to pick-up the check for even higher costs for less food and less service, and, yes, even less wine and more expensive cocktails with less alcohol. For some time, hotel-restaurant associations and astute operators have been aware of the fact that although sales are up, customer counts seem to be softening. This is indeed an unfavorable development, one which is not unexpected, but certainly not welcome. With these forces operating, and particularly in view of the fact that energy costs will continue to rise, lies the justification for the necessity of a study on the subject of energy conservation. The reader should know that this study is directed toward the independent hotel-restaurant owner, manager, or operator. It is not written as a handbook for architects, builders, or designers. The material presented is nontechnical and hopefully useful on an everyday basis for the average hotel-restaurant owner, operator, and his staff. The primary reason for this approach is the independent in the hospitality industry, unlike the large organization, does not have the resources and/or expertise on the subject of energy conservation. Consequently, this segment of our industry is the most vulnerable to the effects of the imminent profit squeeze resulting from higher energy costs. Further, the information presented will enable the independent to design an effective plan for energy conservation without requiring the services of expensive so-called energy consultants or engineers.

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A study was performed to gain an understanding of the feasibility of an Earth Coolant Tube for use in cooling and heating air for residences and industry. It was concluded that previous studies did not include the effect of coolant tube depth or coolant tube operation over long periods of time. A numerical methods approach using finite difference form of the general energy conduction equation was used to evaluate these effects. It was concluded that a coolant tube 1 foot in diameter and 100 feet long could provide as much as 1/6 ton of refrigeration for a 4 month time period. It was also concluded that for coolant tube performance. This study also presents estimates on expected rates of energy transfer for coolant tubes, and recommends a simplified approach for designing coolant tubes.

The major purpose of this investigation was to assess the impact of household socio-economic factors, dwelling characteristics, energy conservation behavior, and energy attitude on the perceptions of energy-efficient housing alternatives. Perceptions of passive solar, active solar, earth- sheltered, and retrofitted housing were examined. Data used were from the Southern Regional Research Project, S-141, "Housing for Low and Moderate Income Families." Responses from 1804 households living in seven southern states were analyzed. A conceptual model was proposed to test the hypothesized relationships which were examined by path analysis. Perceptions of energy-efficient housing alternatives were found to be a function of selected household and dwelling characteristics, energy attitude; household economic factors, and household conservation behavior. Age and education of the respondent, family size, housing-income ratio, utility-income ratio, energy attitude, and size of the dwelling unit were found to have direct and indirect effects on perceptions of energy-efficient housing alternatives. Energy conservation behavior made a significant direct impact with behavioral energy conservation changes having the most profound influence. Conservation behavior was influenced by selected household and dwelling characteristics, energy attitude, and household economic factors. Significant effects were found between conservation efforts and age, size, and condition of the housing unit, age and education of respondent, family size, and energy attitude. Household economic factors were directly affected by selected household and dwelling characteristics. Age and education of respondent and age and condition of dwelling had significant effects on the proportion of monthly income spent for housing and utilities. / Ph. D.

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