ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the characteristics and applications of the most promising low-energy approaches for control of the indoor thermal environment of buildings. Low-energy thermal control technologies that have been used for centuries in various parts of the world are being re-examined and re-engineered to fit within modern building forms. The chapter discusses the characteristics and applications of the most promising low-energy approaches for control of the indoor thermal environment of buildings. In modern commercial buildings it is estimated that 20–30% of energy is lost due to the requirement to provide and condition fresh air for the building’s occupants. Rotary energy exchangers or thermal wheels are composed of a revolving circular matrix of air-permeable material which provides a large internal surface area for heat transfer. The thermal wheel is normally driven by an electric motor, which introduces a small energy penalty, and this should be considered in the assessment of the overall thermal energy recovery efficiency.
