The Laboratory for the Efficient Use of Energy and Renewables

In the fields of the thermal characteristics of materials and structures, the efficient use of energy, and the achievement of satisfactory dwelling conditions from the point of view of thermal insulation, the Laboratory performs the following work:

• measurements of the air permeability and watertightness of windows and balcony doors, and the issuing of certificates of conformity,
• issuing of certificates of conformity for thermal insulation materials (glass and rock wool),
• measurements of the thermal conductivity, thermal transmittance, coefficient of thermal contact, specific heat capacity, and diffusion coefficient of materials and structures,
• measurements, in buildings, of the airtightness, thermal conductivity, ventilation rates, micro-climate, and illumination of dwellings and working premises,
• measurements of the transmittance of light and heat through glass and other transparent materials,
• observations, in a artificial climate chamber, using a wall panel of maximum dimensions 2.5 x 2.5 m, of the accelerated weathering of structures during the simulation of cyclically changing climatic conditions - sunshine, rain, freezing conditions,
• studies of the thermal transmittance, diffusion characteristics, thermal stability, and specific thermal losses of buildings,
• studies of the thermal losses and gains of solar energy and of internal sources of energy, for complete buildings,
• thermographic analyses,
• analyses of the quality of thermal insulation, including analysis of thermal bridges,
• determination of the optimum thermal insulation of buildings.

In the field of renewables, the Laboratory:

• performs research regarding the passive use of solar energy,
• researches the properties of transparent thermal insulation layers,
• performs studies of the active use of solar energy, including the do-it-yourself construction of solar collectors.

The Laboratory also carries out research into the protection of dwellings and working premises from excessive levels of radon.