This law states that no device can completely and continuously transform all of the energy supplied to it into useful energy.

A construction material made by compressing earth in a form; used traditionally in many areas of the world and widely throughout North Africa and the Middle East.

A term applied to warm-air heating systems that deliver heated air to rooms by means of registers or baseboards located along exterior walls.

A structure or media from which heat can be absorbed or extracted.

Energy available from the movement of the wind across a landscape caused by the heating of the atmosphere, earth, and oceans by the sun.

The labels placed on appliances to enable consumers to compare appliance energy efficiency and energy consumption under specified test conditions as required by the Federal Trade Commission.

Materials left over from making nuclear energy. Radioactive waste can living organisms if it is not stored safely.

A device that can be set to automatically turn appliances (lights) off and on at set times.

A type of solar heating system that circulate warm water from storage through the collectors and exposed piping whenever freezing conditions occur; obviously a not very efficient system when operating in this mode.

SMES technology uses the superconducting characteristics of low-temperature materials to produce intense magnetic fields to store energy. SMES has been proposed as a storage option to support large-scale use of photovoltaics and wind as a means to smooth ...

The pressure equivalent of the velocity of a fluid.

These fluids can be either water or steam trapped in fractured or porous rocks; they are found from several hundred feet to several miles below the Earth's surface. The temperatures vary from about 90 F to 680 F (32 C to 360 C) but roughly 2/3 range in te ...

A study of the transformation of energy from one form to another, and its practical application. (see Law(s) of Thermodynamics above).

The load created by moisture in the air, including from outside air infiltration and that from indoor sources such as occupants, plants, cooking, showering, etc.

Wood, used for fuel, that has been air dried so that it contains 15 to 20 percent moisture content (wet basis).

A solar thermal system that has one tank for storing solar heated water to preheat the water in a conventional water heater.

A building element that shades windows, walls, and doors from direct solar radiation and protects these elements from precipitation.

The complete cycle of stages (evaporation and condensation) of refrigeration or of the refrigerant.

A term generally applied to individual solar collectors, and typically to solar photovoltaic collectors or modules.

The conversion of heat into electricity by the use of thermocouples.