environment

Japan is characterized by high humidity in summer and low humidity in winter. Therefore, summer is in a climatic condition where mold is easy to grow, and in fact, mold damage is occurring. Due to improvement of the thermal insulation and airtightness of houses, the temperature in the room is maintained high even in winter, and mold damage occurs. We will introduce the research we have conducted regarding humidity environment and health problems, and discuss future subjects. The outline is as follows. 

The elements and classification of ground source heat pumps (GSHP) are expounded and its prospects in the Yangtze River Area of China were also indicated in the paper. The energy consumption of a model building in the area was simulated with eQUEST tool. Furthermore, the monthly and annual HVAC electric consumption of air source heat pumps (ASHP) and GSHP are contrasted and analyzed, and it is concluded that the GSHP is more efficient than conventional ASHP in the Yangtze River Area.

Acoustics research is thriving and allowed significant progress in the improvement of living conditions.However, a gap has been noted between research and practical applications in situ. This awareness has encouraged laboratories to investigate the urban sonic environment from different perspectives. Thus the following :1) The sound signal is not a single element, it is always the result of a propagation in a built space and the circumstances that bring about its reception : position and mobility of the listener.

The main purpose of buildings is to provide a comfortable living environment for their occupants. This includes, among others, thermal,visual and acoustic comfort as well as indoor air quality. Except during the 1950's and 1960's, it has always been considered important that an excess use of energy should be avoided in the construction and the management of a building, sometimes even at the cost of user comfort. Energy saving is, however, not the main purpose of the building.