Energy Systems and Building Services Level

Research and technological developments have mainly focused on increasing the energy efficiency of buildings, improving the thermal properties of the envelope and reducing energy consumption. Another critical issue is related to waste reduction and implementation of circular economy frameworks. Moreover, building services have a significant impact upon the health of users and any application of the circular economy has to consider the effect on the occupants’ well-being. In this chapter, two aspects are considered: the first relates to the building systems which utilise energy for heating, cooling, ventilation, electrical supply; the second concerns the systems converting the energy from the sun, wind, and soil. Regarding the usage of energy in buildings, the types of materials applied in building services are categorised including metals, plastics, electronic components, etc. The barriers to the adoption of circular supply chain management are illustrated collecting information from the literature, especially in the air conditioning sector. Then, the electricity and thermal energy production from renewable sources are presented in the light of implementing a circular economy at the building and urban scale. Solar, both PV and thermal, wind, and geothermal technologies are illustrated in terms of trends in installation and prediction of waste production. Best practices of recycling are illustrated from projects, industrial processes, and companies. The collected information highlights the need for closer collaboration between the involved stakeholders, starting from the citizens and extending to all members of the design, construction, and building management professions.