The building envelope’s design influences comfort in the way it transmits heat to surfaces and slowly changes air temperature. Air and surface temperatures can often be controlled by passive design techniques. Air motion and air humidity contribute to comfortable cooling. Access to outdoor air improves air quality as well as provides daylight, a view, and solar heat on cold days.
In the preface to the ninth edition of Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Buildings, the authors explain how the perspective of engineers has changed: “Buildings today contribute to negative global consequences of the future, and our approach to mechanical and electrical systems must consider how best to avoid environmental impacts.… “We have moved from systems that centralize all sources of heating, cooling, water, and electricity toward those that encourage more localized production and control.” (Benjamin Stein et al., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, NJ, 2006, p. xvii).
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