Best Practice Guide

Glossary

Introduction

Planning an Energy Program

Funding and Approval

Education

Lighting

Central HVAC System

Procurement Policy

Building Envelope

Demand Response

Distributed Generation

Water Use

Motors

Food Service

Resources and Appendices

Lessons Learned

Best Practice Guide Glossary

Search the glossary by keyword:


Browse the glossary alphabetically:


GREENHOUSE EFFECT (relating to buildings) Return to list of terms

The characteristic tendency of some transparent materials (such as glass) to transmit radiation with relatively short wavelengths (such as sunlight) and block radiation of longer wavelengths (such as heat). This tendency leads to a heat build-up within the space enclosed by such a material.

Source: California Energy Commission