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The REFERENCE NOTES
of the Energy Efficiency Manual

The Reference Notes are the second major part of the Energy Efficiency Manual. Each Reference Note is a self-contained explanation of an important topic in energy efficiency and cost savings.

Scroll toward the bottom of this page to select typical Reference Notes for viewing.

You can use the Reference Notes in several ways:

The Reference Notes enhance the Measures. Many of the Measures in the first part of the Energy Efficiency Manual refer you to Reference Notes for additional detail or supporting information. You will learn about the equipment that is used, installation and operating practices, scientific principles, calculation tools, and energy sources.

Read the Reference Notes for general interest.They are written to be easy for anyone who has an interest in energy efficiency. Browse them in any order that you find interesting. The shorter Reference Notes explain individual efficiency concepts concisely. The longer Reference Notes give you a solid introduction to broader subjects.

Use the Reference Notes for formal study. If you are using the Energy Efficiency Manual as a textbook, start with a group of Reference Notes that are appropriate for your study plans.   As you study the Reference Notes, refer to related Measures as examples of practical applications.   Also, visit construction sites, existing buildings and plants, and equipment installations where you can see the principles in action. Take this book with you. As its pages get dirty and full of highlighting pen, your knowledge will be growing.

Now, let's browse typical Reference Notes. 

NOTE: Please wait a short time for each Reference Note below to load on your computer. They are in PDF format. You need Adobe Acrobat Reader to read these files. If do not have Adobe Reader, you can download a free copy by clicking here.

Click Measuring Light Intensity  to view this two-page Reference Note that explains terms you need to know for lighting energy conservation.

Click Vapor Barriers  to learn about this important part of any insulation job.  In four pages, you will learn what vapor barriers are, why they are important, how they work, and how to install them properly.

Click Personnel Sensors  for an introduction to one of the most powerful new tools of energy conservation.  They won’t work unless you select and install them properly.  In eight pages, you will learn about the types of personnel sensors and the critical issues in using them.

Click Passive Solar Heating Design  for an introduction to the concepts of passive solar heating, one of the most promising and challenging ways to harness solar energy.  This eight-page Reference Note outlines this complex subject, and compares it to active solar systems.

Click Compression Cooling  for an intensive short course on the most common type of cooling equipment.  In 23 pages, it explains how cooling works and describes the components of a cooling system.  Starting from the basics, it gives you a more sophisticated understanding of cooling efficiency.