Green Building Forum - Glossary Sun, 19 May 2013 06:44:53 +0100 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 Glossary http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120410#Comment_120410 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120410#Comment_120410 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 15:09:30 +0100 palebluedot BCO - Building control officer.
CDD - Cooling degree days. Measurement that reflects the demand for energy to cool a building. (See HDD)
COP - Coefficient of Performance.
CPC - Compound parabolic concentrator. Increases heat absorption in a solar thermal array.
CRI - Colour rendering index. A quantitative measure of the ability of a light source to reproduce the colours of various objects faithfully in comparison with an ideal or natural light source.
CSH / CfSH - Code for Sustainable Homes (slightly duff government sustainability measure...)
DEA - Domestic Energy Assessment - SAP or EPC etc.
DECC - Department for Energy and Climate Change.
DHW - Domestic hot water.
DPC - Damp proof course
DPM - Damp proof membrane
DPS - Dedicated Pressure Systems - very good thermal store company. Died, then taken over.
EPC - Energy performance certificate, very duff energy calc.
EPS - Expanded polystyrene.
ET - Evacuated tube. Type of solar thermal panel technology. (See also FP).
EWI - External wall insulation.
FIT / FiT - Feed in Tariff. Incentive scheme for renewable and low carbon local power generation.
FiWiHRV - Fine wire heat recovery ventilation. Very efficient HRV system.
FP - Flate plate. Type of solar thermal panel technology. (See also ET).
GSHP - Ground source heat pump.
GBP - Green Building Press.
HA - Housing association.
HDD - Heating Degree Days. Measurement that reflects the demand for energy to heat a building. (See CDD)
HP - Heat pump. (See GSHP, WSHP, ASHP). All use compressor technology (as in refrigerators) to move heat from one place to another.
HRV - Heat recovery ventilation. Used in very airtight buildings. (See FiWiHRV)
IBC - Intermediate bulk container (oft' used for DIY rainwater harvesting, or RH).
kW - kiloWatt = 1000 Joules per second.
kWh - kiloWatt hour = self evidently silly unit (see above).
LA - Local Authority.
LED - Light emitting diode.
LPA - Local Planning Authority.
MVHR - Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery. (As used in Passiv House). Also abbreviated as MHRV.
NHBC - National House Building Council.
OSB - Oriented strand board / sterling board.
PHPP - Passiv haus planning package (ultra low energy energy calc).
PIR - Polyisocyanurate. A rigid foam insulation material. e.g. 'Celotex'.
PV - Photovoltaic.
PVGIS - Photovoltaic Geographical Information System. (http://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvgis/about_pvgis/about_pvgis.htm)
RH - Rainwater harvesting.
RHI - Renewable Heat Incentive, like it says, pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for biomass etc.
ROC - Renewables obligation certificate.
SAP - UK Building regs energy calc.
ST Solar Thermal.
TF - Timber frame (I saw it used as an acronym once...)
UFH - Underfloor heating.
U value - Measurement of thermal conductance of a material. (More strictly thermal transmittance - see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermal_transmittance).
W - Watts; Joules per second; rate of energy.
VCL - Vapour control layer.
WBS - Woodburning stove.
WSHP - Water source heat pump.
WWHRS - Waste water heat recovery system.]]> Glossary http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120411#Comment_120411 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120411#Comment_120411 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 15:13:29 +0100 palebluedot
James Norton has kindly kicked this glossary off.

If anyone has any item they'd like to add, please just post it in a comment here, and I'll come along regularly to edit new additions into the list alphabetically, so they can be easily searched.

pbd.]]> Glossary http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120412#Comment_120412 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120412#Comment_120412 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 15:20:31 +0100 Gotanewlife
CRI - Colour rendering index.

But it doesn't help unless you add:

A quantitative measure of the ability of a light source to reproduce the colours of various objects faithfully in comparison with an ideal or natural light source.

So, how about you decide whether the translation of the TLA is sufficient explanation or not for a newbie to know what the hell everyone else is talking about:bigsmile:]]> Glossary http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120413#Comment_120413 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120413#Comment_120413 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 15:20:41 +0100 palebluedot Glossary http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120414#Comment_120414 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120414#Comment_120414 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 15:22:03 +0100 Gotanewlife ]]> Glossary http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120415#Comment_120415 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120415#Comment_120415 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 15:27:46 +0100 palebluedot Posted By: GotanewlifeHere's one I just had to look up:

CRI - Colour rendering index.

But it doesn't help unless you add:

A quantitative measure of the ability of a light source to reproduce the colours of various objects faithfully in comparison with an ideal or natural light source.

So, how about you decide whether the translation of the TLA is sufficient explanation or not for a newbie to know what the hell everyone else is talking about:bigsmile:" alt=":bigsmile:" src="http:///forum114/extensions/Vanillacons/smilies/standard/bigsmile.gif" >

:bigsmile: Well, a brief description at least gets the idea across. If that's not enough, you'll still have to do an internet search. Can't put everything here; no point. Might just as well post a link to Google and be done with the whole thing :shocked:]]> Glossary http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120417#Comment_120417 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120417#Comment_120417 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 15:32:22 +0100 palebluedot Posted By: GotanewlifeYou do realise what you have let yourself in for don't you.....:wink:" alt=":wink:" src="http:///forum114/extensions/Vanillacons/smilies/standard/wink.gif" >

Not sure I do. Let's see how it goes!]]> Glossary http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120421#Comment_120421 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120421#Comment_120421 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 15:43:12 +0100 Gotanewlife Posted By: palebluedotCan't put everything here; no point

Yup: 2 lines max, but one line the norm.]]> Glossary http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120424#Comment_120424 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120424#Comment_120424 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 16:00:29 +0100 DamonHD
Rgds

Damon]]> Glossary http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120426#Comment_120426 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120426#Comment_120426 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 16:14:17 +0100 palebluedot
pbd.]]> Glossary http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120428#Comment_120428 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120428#Comment_120428 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 16:35:22 +0100 Nick Parsons
Mmm. I know what was meant, of course, but U is a measure of thermal conductivity, which leads to the 2nd sentence of the explanation. The R value (m2.K/W) (which is the reciprocal of U) is the measure of thermal resistance.


And while we're about it - Lambda (or k) Value: The thermal conductivity of a material assuming a 'standard' cubic metre of the material under test conditions, expressed as W/mK. There's no thickness in the Lambda value, so you have to convert to an R value (thickness/lambda), ten 1/R (or composite R) is U.]]> Glossary http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120429#Comment_120429 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120429#Comment_120429 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 16:48:09 +0100 Joiner ]]> Glossary http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120430#Comment_120430 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120430#Comment_120430 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 16:52:56 +0100 Nick Parsons Glossary http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120433#Comment_120433 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120433#Comment_120433 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 17:00:30 +0100 palebluedot
I distilled the U value definition from Tim Pullen's 'Simply Sustainable Homes' (p31). But I realise now, it wasn't quite what he said. I have corrected the entry.

pbd.]]> Glossary http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120435#Comment_120435 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120435#Comment_120435 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 17:04:41 +0100 palebluedot Posted By: JoinerErrr. U-value isn't an acronym or abbreviation. If the measurement was given in terms of OHTC (overall heat transfer coefficient) it would qualify for this thread.

Posted By: Nick ParsonsI agree, but it was in the original list. I wonder if 'a list of acronyms, abbreviations and useful terms I may not have heard of' could be the revised title!


Yes I agree too. How can I revise the title of the thread?]]> Glossary http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120441#Comment_120441 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120441#Comment_120441 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 18:32:07 +0100 Nick Parsons Glossary http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120442#Comment_120442 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120442#Comment_120442 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 18:58:12 +0100 Joiner
Doesn't quite have the same ring to it, does it!?]]> Glossary http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120447#Comment_120447 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120447#Comment_120447 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 19:30:35 +0100 Nick Parsons Glossary http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120454#Comment_120454 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120454#Comment_120454 Sun, 23 Oct 2011 20:23:12 +0100 Joiner
And advise people to 'bookmark' the thread for easy reference later.]]> Glossary http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120563#Comment_120563 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120563#Comment_120563 Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:19:43 +0100 James Norton DPS - Dedicated Pressure Systems - very good thermal store co. died then taken over
LED - Light emitting diode
OSB - Oriented strand board / sterling board
PB - Plasterboard
TF - Timber frame (I saw it used as an acronym once...)
QE - Quantatitive easing
VCL - Vapour control layer
WWHRS - Waste water heat recovery system]]> Glossary http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120578#Comment_120578 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120578#Comment_120578 Mon, 24 Oct 2011 19:51:08 +0100 seascape HDD Heating Degree Days?
COP Coefficient of Performance]]> Glossary http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120594#Comment_120594 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120594#Comment_120594 Mon, 24 Oct 2011 22:23:24 +0100 Joiner Glossary http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120595#Comment_120595 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120595#Comment_120595 Mon, 24 Oct 2011 22:23:42 +0100 Joiner Glossary http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120596#Comment_120596 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120596#Comment_120596 Mon, 24 Oct 2011 22:27:55 +0100 DamonHD Glossary http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120608#Comment_120608 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120608#Comment_120608 Tue, 25 Oct 2011 07:17:14 +0100 Joiner Glossary http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120664#Comment_120664 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120664#Comment_120664 Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:09:00 +0100 palebluedot Glossary http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120667#Comment_120667 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120667#Comment_120667 Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:17:09 +0100 palebluedot Posted By: JoinerBS? FFS? RTFA?

Brain Storm. Fried Fish Supper. Renault Trafic Fell Apart.

Yes?]]> Glossary http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120670#Comment_120670 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120670#Comment_120670 Tue, 25 Oct 2011 14:37:58 +0100 Joiner ]]> Glossary http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120699#Comment_120699 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120699#Comment_120699 Tue, 25 Oct 2011 19:34:08 +0100 DamonHD
Rgds

Damon]]> Glossary http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120728#Comment_120728 http://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=8000&Focus=120728#Comment_120728 Wed, 26 Oct 2011 07:19:40 +0100 SteamyTea Posted By: Joiner"Definitions of common terms together with glossary of abbreviations and acronyms."

Doesn't quite have the same ring to it, does it!?

TWAIN
Things Without An Interesting Name]]>