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Abstract: Cool roofs are an emerging technique with a recent growing interest worldwide. The aim of the present paper is to present the application of cool roofs’ technology in a laboratory building located in Iraklion, Crete, Greece. The building is monitored towards its energy performance and indoor environment before and after the implementation of the cool roof technology. The specific case study is intended as a shining example of the cool roof capabilities in improving the thermal conditions in non-air conditioned and in reducing the energy consumption in air conditioned buildings. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper investigates the indoor thermal conditions in fifty low income non air conditioned houses in Athens, Greece, during the extremely hot summer of 2007. Hourly indoor temperature data have been analysed during three extended heat waves. Indoor temperatures as high as 40°C were recorded and the average indoor minimum temperature was always above 28°C. Mean indoor temperatures during the hot season were up to 4.2K above the normal climatic period, while the daily increase rate varied from 0.2K/day during the first up to 0.8K/day for the peak days of the heat wave. The exposure of inhabitants to high temperatures is very important because for almost 85% of the hot period, indoor temperature exceeded 30°C. Periods of about 216 continuous hours above 30°C, and six days above 33°C were recorded in many buildings. The dynamics and the evolution of indoor temperatures as a function of the outdoor climatic characteristics and the thermal capacitance of the buildings are analysed. Possible techniques to improve the indoor environmental quality in low income housing during extremely hot periods are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The purpose of this paper is to estimate the main determinants of households’ residential consumption for space heating in Greece employing cross-section data for 2003. In the empirical analysis household space heating consumption models are employed, using OLS, probit, tobit and quantile regression techniques. The results show that demographic and economic variables such as age of the respondent, family size and households’ annual income are suitable to explain differences towards oil consumption for space heating. In addition, the results suggest that dwelling''s size and rate of occupancy are positively associated with the amount of oil that Greek households consumed in order to achieve a significant level of heat comfort for their house. By evaluating household''s decision-making process with regard to space heating consumption we are able to propose an effective energy policy framework. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]