This event in the Green Futures Tuesday series was arranged on February 21st 2012, at 4pm GMT, by the Department of Green Innovations and Solutions.
TweeterAnna Simpson |
Room#gfstu |
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| About to start! Green Futures Tuesday: how smart materials can save energy in buildings http://t.co/Zr0ihvrQ Use #gfstu to join in! #gfstu 4:00 PM |
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| 1. Retrofits are a balancing act. How can we save energy without compromising space, storage, accessibility, functionality & LOOKS? #gfstu 4:02 PM |
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| 2. There are secrets to success: good planning, teamwork etc. But there are also lots of exciting new materials out there. #gfstu 4:02 PM |
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| 3. Take insulation for a start. Instead of layers of fluff, try aerogel – a super insulator designed to keep astronauts warm in space #gfstu 4:03 PM |
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| 4. As the name [aerogel] hints, it’s over 99% air trapped in a loose silicon-based structure and strengthened by fibres. #gfstu 4:03 PM |
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| 5. A strip of aerogel just 9.5mm thick can improve the insulation of a wall by up to 42%, acc to US Dept of Energy. #gfstu 4:05 PM |
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| 6. Airtight buildings keep heat in but struggle with humidity and heat. Some new intelligent membranes adapt to changing conditions. #gfstu 4:06 PM |
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| 7. pro clima [sic] has developed a vapour-permeable membrane: air- & water-tight, but which responds to humidity. #gfstu 4:07 PM |
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| 8. In cold, wintry weather this ‘smart’ membrane is almost entirely impermeable, but in warm weather it allows moisture to escape. #gfstu 4:07 PM |
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| 9. Of course, even airtight buildings need some ventilation… #gfstu 4:08 PM |
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| 10. Engineers are developing new dynamic insulation systems to ensure fresh air coming into heated buildings is as warm as possible. #gfstu 4:08 PM |
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| 11. Energyflo fits insulation panels to the external wall, where air is pre-heated by the sun and by heat escaping through the walls #gfstu 4:09 PM |
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| 12. The warm air then rises up the cavity and is channelled into the building through ventilation systems. #gfstu 4:09 PM |
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| 14. And then there’s electrochromic glass, which works a bit like Reactolite sunglasses. #gfstu 4:10 PM |
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| 15. It can be darkened either automatically or manually to prevent overheating in strong sunlight & let more rays in during winter. #gfstu 4:10 PM |
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| Read more about smart materials for energy efficient buildings @GreenFutures: http://t.co/Zr0ihvrQ #gfstu 4:11 PM |
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| @GreenFutures has produced a whole special edition on #retrofit & energy efficiency in buildings. Free download: http://t.co/DWEFCTmD #gfstu 4:13 PM |
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| What other great solutions are there to make our buildings less costly to run? #gfstu 4:15 PM |
