This paper details the improvements made to the design and fabrication of thin-film heat flux gauges at Oxford. These improvements have been driven by the desire to improve measurement accuracy and resolution in short duration wind-tunnel experiments. A thin-film heat flux gauge (TFHFG) measures heat flux by recording the temperature history of thin film resistive temperature sensors sputtered onto an insulating substrate. The heat flux can then be calculated using Fourier’s law of heat conduction. A new fabrication process utilising technology from the manufacture of flexible printed circuit boards is outlined, which enables the production of significantly smaller and more robust gauges than those previously used.

Energy performance certificates (EPC) provide a measure of and raise awareness of the energy efficiency of homes. The Irish system of energy performance certificates comprises fifteen alphanumeric grades, which imposes fourteen discrete notches in an otherwise continuous scale. Visual evidence of bunching occurs in the distribution of EPC certificates on the favourable side of EPC grades among homes that have completed energy efficiency retrofits but not in the equivalent distribution of EPC certificates prior to completion of retrofits. Using a regression discontinuity design and estimation of a counter-factual distribution, evidence is found of bunching in the post-works distribution but not the pre-works distribution. We analyse whether statistical evidence exists of drivers of this bunching and whether sources of bunching can be identified. We find that bunching is widespread but not systemic and find discontinuities in the distribution of certain parameters of assessment (i.e. low energy lighting) which suggests their contribution toward bunching. With comparable EPC schemes across Europe the results have policy implications for other countries. Where continuous EPC scales are used, additional energy efficiency improvements may be achieved if a multi-point scale is considered. In countries where multi-point EPC scales are used, bunching of assessments is also likely to occur and quality control measures may be necessary to ensure that the bunching is due to genuine energy efficiency improvements and not a reflection of illicit activity.

Standard-Nutzungsbedingungen:Die Dokumente auf EconStor dürfen zu eigenen wissenschaftlichen Zwecken und zum Privatgebrauch gespeichert und kopiert werden.Sie dürfen die Dokumente nicht für öffentliche oder kommerzielle Zwecke vervielfältigen, öffentlich ausstellen, öffentlich zugänglich machen, vertreiben oder anderweitig nutzen.Sofern die Verfasser die Dokumente unter Open-Content-Lizenzen (insbesondere CC-Lizenzen) zur Verfügung gestellt haben sollten, gelten abweichend von diesen Nutzungsbedingungen die in der dort genannten Lizenz gewährten Nutzungsrechte. This scheme provides a financial incentive for home owners to engage in energy efficient retrofits, provided the upgrades meet appropriate energy efficiency standards. This study analyses the BEH data, which is comprised of all applications from March 2009 to October 2015, in order to examine the extent to which applications are abandoned and the determinants thereof. We find that more complicated retrofits are more likely to be abandoned, with variation across certain retrofit measure combinations. We find lower probabilities of abandonment among certain obligated parties, who are energy retailers obliged by the State to reduce energy consumption in Ireland, while others possess greater likelihoods of abandonment, relative to private retrofits. We find that newer homes are less likely to abandon an application than older homes, as are applications made for apartments, relative to houses. Regional variations exist in abandonment, with rural households more likely to abandon than urban households. A seasonal trend in abandonment is also present, with higher likelihoods of abandonment among applications made during winter. Terms of use: Documents in

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