While the efficiency and sustainability offensive is in full swing in most sectors of the economy, in the construction sector it is still in its very beginnings – economically as well as ecologically. However, politicians and policymakers at the global, European, and national levels have begun to address this deficit and are seeking to correct it with legal requirements and laws like EnEV, building certifications, and competitions. Following the proven model of earlier manuals in the series, the Energy Manual presents a comprehensive look at the constructional parameters of energy efficiency and sustainability. It offers an advance look at the legal regulations being planned by the EU, and – as a tool ready for immediate use by architects, engineers, and designers in their daily work – it points the way toward the efficient and sustainable construction and operation of buildings. With its focus on the entire lifecycle of a building, it provides an integrated perspective – a necessary prerequisite for sustainable economic management.