The thermal insulation of buildings is needed in order to diminish the final energy consumption in buildings and, by this way, to contribute to the use of unconventional regenerative sources of energy (wind and sun) for a sustainable development. The requirement for heat consumption under the limit of 120...150 kWh/m 2 .a, or even to 15...45 kWh/m 2 .a, stipulated for the year 2020 (passive houses) is implying the use of huge and expensive quantities of expanded polystyrene, mineral wool or polyurethane foam. The study encompasses the utilization of bulk waste materials (sawdust, crumbled expanded polystyrene, hacked paper and PVC recipients) for thermal insulations in buildings, contributing also to the environmental protection and cost reduction. Specific laboratory equipment for thermal conductivity measurements of bulk granular waste materials has been created and solutions for energy efficient building envelopes are suggested.

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Attic floors are a favoured solution in refurbishing/rehabilitating residential buildings as well as for new buildings in Romania, under the conditions of climate changes and especially for adapting to the global warming phenomenon. Optimizing the thermal protection during the hot season can be made by a layer of ventilated air disposed directly under the roof covering. In order to analyse the ventilation process, and to establish design recommendations the authors have used a physical small scale model, in laboratory conditions, according the Grashof criterion. The paper is presenting a profitable utilization of similitude conditions leading to opportunities of analysing the indoor ventilation in passive system for a better energy efficiency. Anpassung des Gebäudebestandes an Klimaveränderungen. Der Dachgeschossausbau ist eine Standardlösung bei der Instandsetzung von Wohngebäuden und im Neubau in