A large number of thermocouples connected in series.

The heat absorbed or released when a substance undergoes a change in temperature.

Those elements of building used to control the interior climate.

The maximum possible voltage across a photovoltaic cell; the voltage across the cell in sunlight when no current is flowing.

A type of insulation, composed of small diameter pink, yellow, or white glass fibers, formed into blankets or batts, or used in loose-fill and blown-in applications.

Draft that is caused by temperature differences in the air.

As defined in the Energy Security Act (P.L. 96-294; 1980) as "any organic matter, including sewage, sewage sludge, and industrial or commercial waste, and mixtures of such matter and inorganic refuse from any publicly or privately operated municipal waste ...

A column of burning combustion gases that are so hot and strong that the heat is lost up the chimney before it can be transferred to the house. A draft brings air to the fire to help keep it burning.

A turbine that uses water pressure to rotate its blades; the primary types are the Pelton wheel, for high heads (pressure); the Francis turbine, for low to medium heads; and the Kaplan for a wide range of heads. Primarily used to power an electric generat ...

A material that can be used to store thermal energy as latent heat. Various types of materials have been and are being investigated such as inorganic salts, eutectic compounds, and parrafins, for a variety of applications, including solar energy storage ( ...

The first law states that energy can not be created or destroyed; the second law states that when a free exchange of heat occurs between two materials, the heat always moves from the warmer to the cooler material.

The rate of heat production by a steady current in any part of an electrical circuit that is proportional to the resistance and to the square of the current, or, the internal energy of an ideal gas depends only on its temperature.

A charge for the maximum rate at which energy is used during peak hours of a billing period. That part of a utility service charged for on the basis of the possible demand as distinguished from the energy actually consumed.

An air conditioner consisting of one or more assemblies that move, clean, cool, and dehumidify air.

A material used to seal gaps around windows and exterior doors.

Gasoline fuel additives such as ethanol, ETBE, or MTBE that add extra oxygen to gasoline to reduce carbon monoxide pollution produced by vehicles.

The point or outdoor temperature where the heating capacity of a heat pump matches the heating requirements of a building.

A building energy auditing technique used to determine and/or locate air leaks in a building shell or envelope.

A device mounted in the vent connector that closes the vent when the heating unit is not firing. This traps heat inside the heating system and house rather than letting it draft up and out the vent system.

The pressure of the steam or water in a boiler as measured; usually expressed in pounds per square inch gauge (psig).