Science and Practice of Energy Technology in Residential Buildings
A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "G: Energy and Buildings".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 March 2026 | Viewed by 25
Special Issue Editors
Interests: energy efficiency; using thermal mass and integrated control systems; thermal comfort; smart buildings; near zero energy buildings; effective thermal insulation systems; adaptable comfort; indoor environment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: building and industrial automatics with renewable energy sources; energy efficiency in building
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The aim to achieving a net-zero-carbon economy defines the whole-building approach that is transforming both the construction of new buildings and the retrofitting of existing ones. According to the Lawrence Berkely National US Laboratory, based on the 2004 level of codes, reductions in energy of 90% for new buildings and 50% for existing buildings are necessary. Using both the passive and solar measures, new buildings are on-target. Still, the renovation of old buildings has represented a great failure.
The Virtual Network of Environmental Quality Management (EQM) focused on the retrofitting of residential buildings and developed Passive and Thermo-Active Cluster (PTAC) technology, evaluating the potential for application of Artificial Intelligence and Neural Networks. PTAC technology increases the coefficient of performance for heat pumps and merges current technology with a new, enhanced energy delivery system. Based on experience from passive house techniques, integrating the system with a water-sourced heat pump and using hydronic thermal storage as well as distribution system (walls, floors, or ceilings), one can achieve energy reductions of 70-80% in new constructions and of 50% in the retrofitting of any existing building.
Recently, we restructured the old, small network, transforming it into a broad but still virtual, international retrofitting network, with a focus on organizing pilot projects targeted at commercial, industrial, and multifamily buildings through partnerships of private companies with academics and national organizations. We invite interested academics, practitioners, and organizations worldwide to join us in developing unified and affordable retrofitting technology to delay climate change. Public–private partnerships at the national level will be vital to advancing the next generation of retrofitting solutions—your participation could help in driving a global impact.
The purpose of such programs is to create a socio-economic wave providing a three-fold advantage: (1) to ecology, by slowing down climate change; (2) to economics, by creating many local work opportunities; (3) to social progress, by improving comfort and reducing the price of energy. Our objective is to achieve a 30% increase in energy efficiency with no increases in cost. With technology that has about 30% less carbon traces, we should be able reduce the price of one ton of carbon emissiona by 10-fold, while ot requiring an energy efficiency higher than 70 – 100 kWh/(m2 a) for low- and medium-rise buildings.
To maximize the impact of optimized PTAC technology, we urge immediate support for national pilot projects and active involvement in public education initiatives. We call on the building physics community and academic leaders to collaborate with us. Submit your research and practical papers to this Special Issue of Energies, and join us in advancing solutions for environmental and energy challenges in buildings.
Prof. Dr. Mark Bomberg
Dr. Anna Romańska-Zapała
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- energy efficiency
- zero carbon emission
- near-zero-energy buildings
- integrated control systems
- artificial intelligence/ neural networks
- next-generation retrofitting
- adaptable indoor temperature
- good indoor environment
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