One of my areas of interest is improving the energy efficiency of buildings, products and processes.

In my professional role I provide design support to architects seeking to design low energy buildings, particularly ones that include elements of 'passive solar' design such as trombe walls, movable insulation, controlled direct solar gain, energy recovery ventilation, super insulated building envelopes and natural daylighting. I use building energy modelling (BEM) in the form of Design Builder to optimise comfort and energy savings and to recommend the most cost effective course of action.

I also energy audit buildings, using a blower door to measure infiltration and find find thermal bypasses, surveying the structure itself and then inputting that data into a BEM program. This allows me to produce a list of possible energy upgrades for a building, focussing on those that are easy and cost effective and improve comfort and the quality of life. Many of the measures that improve a building's thermal performance also dramatically improve comfort. Many buildings in the UK have high levels of infiltration, which is uncontrolled air movement into or out of the building, through cracks, gaps, holes and chimneys. This results in comfort problems such as drafts, low humidity and difficulty maintaining a comfortable temperature. Air infiltration can also account for a considerable proportion of total energy bills.

There is a great deal of misinformation and confusion, as well as profiteering by companies capitalising on the 'green revolution'. In many cases it's possible to substantially reduce a building's energy consumption using nothing but basic building materials -- caulk, expanding foam and draft excluder strip. I'm in the process of upgrading may parents house, built in 1890 it's a good example of how simple measures can make a big difference so I'll be recording some of the changes as I go.