|
Weatherization (American
English) or Weatherproofing (British
English) is the practice of protecting a building and its
interior from the elements, particularly from sunlight,
precipitation, wind, and/or modifying a building to reduce energy
consumption and optimize energy efficiency.
Weatherization is distinct from building insulation, although
building insulation requires weatherization for proper
functioning. Many types of insulation can be thought of as
weatherization, because they block drafts or protect from cold
winds. Whereas insulation primarily reduces conductive heat
flow, weatherization primarily reduces convective heat
flow.
In the
United States, buildings use one third of all energy consumed and
two thirds of all electricity. Due to the high energy usage, they
are a major source of the pollution that causes urban air quality
problems and pollutants that contribute to climate change.
Building energy usage accounts for 49 percent of sulfur dioxide
emissions, 25 percent of nitrous oxide emissions, and 10 percent
of particulate emissions
Related Subject:
Flashing
|
