ABSTRACT
Equipment ................................................................................................ 120 5.4 Closing Remarks ................................................................................................................ 120 References .................................................................................................................................... 121
5.1.1 Introduction: The Importance of Energy Efficiency in Buildings
A typical building is designed for a 40-year economic life. This implies that the existing inventory of buildings-with all their good and bad features-is turned over very slowly. Today we know it is cost-effective to design a high degree of energy efficiency into new buildings, because the savings on operating and maintenance costs will repay the initial investment many times over. Many technological advances have occurred in the last few decades, resulting in striking reductions in the energy usage required to operate buildings safely and comfortably. Added benefits of these developments are reductions in air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, which have occurred as a result of generating less electricity.
