Energy Efficiency and Thermal Comfort in Buildings

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, in the face of the climate crisis and the necessary reduction in energy consumption, different international organizations, such as the European Commission, have underlined the important role that buildings play in this indicator. Buildings are a very important opportunity to reduce the energy consumed by our society, while other sectors, such as industry or transport, present much greater difficulties. It is important to point out that we currently possess the technology to achieve this reduction in consumption without a reduction in thermal comfort, and achieving this binomial (a reduction in energy consumption and an increase in thermal comfort simultaneously) is the most important issue. Nowadays, this is possible, and it is the focus of this Special Issue, in which any type of research is welcome that rigorously contributes to these objectives.

Energy efficiency has been shown to be a fundamental tool, not only in the construction materials involved (insulation, phase change material, reduction in density, or increase in stored energy as intended), but also in the components used for climatization. It is necessary to highlight the use of heat pumps for which energy is taken from the environment that is considered most appropriate, renewable, and economical.

Any additional considerations will be welcomed since the width of the issue allows any additional contribution!

Prof. Dr. Rafael Royo-Pastor
Guest Editor

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• advanced building materials
• infrared thermography
• energy efficiency
• heat pumps
• zero-energy buildings
• phase change materials
• U-value