Energy efficient house designs can be generated using thermal performance assessment techniques. Building thermal performance is the assessment or rating of a building’s ability to create internal conditions that are comfortable for the occupants, with a minimum of mechanical input. Mechanical input refers to the consumption of energy by heating or cooling appliances. Energy efficiency refers to the effectiveness of a building’s ability to influence, control and facilitate user control over the movement of heat energy within a building and between the building and its surroundings. The most important attribute of a building in relation to its energy efficiency is the building envelope, which refers to the exterior fabric of the building. The movement of heat energy within a building has a less important affect. Residential thermal performance refers to the energy efficiency of a residential building.

An energy efficient house stays naturally cool in summer and warm in winter. The house will be even more comfortable if the occupants perform simple operations and management tasks. This allows the occupants to maintain comfortable conditions in their home, without the excessive use of heaters and air conditioners. Accordingly, this reduces the mechanical input required and reduces the energy consumption of the building. Reducing energy consumption means less burning of fossil fuels, less carbon emissions and less general pollution generated by the building. That is, high residential thermal performance gives the occupants the opportunity to have a healthier and more comfortable home that costs less to heat and cool and also reduces the impact of energy consumption on our environment.

The Star rating system in Australia rates the thermal performance of a building on a scale of 1 to 10. A 10 Star house would be one in which no energy is required to be consumed in order to maintain comfortable conditions for the occupants. Theoretically a 10 Star house is possible, however in practice a 9 Star house is typically the best rating that can be achieved. Such a high thermal performance house is commonly referred to as an energy efficient house. If the owners or designers of the home also include other environmentally aware features such as waste water treatment, environmentally friendly and low life cycle cost building materials, rain water gathering and treatment, solar and/or wind generation devices, etc, one might refer to it as a sustainable house.

Fair Housing Act is a federal law that ensures equal opportunity in home ownership. The title of the law pretty much explains its contents. This law outlines prohibited practices in sale or rental of properties. However, it is centered on the prohibition of all forms of discrimination in the said transaction. Discrimination still exists in the world. Such act may be influenced by their culture or perhaps by their history. Some people may have not gotten over the wars of the past. While others have developed pure disliking to a particular race that it progressed to racism. These things may not be that visible. However, there will still be accounts of it somewhere, especially in real estate.

With the existence of Fair Housing Act, people will have equal opportunities in purchasing or renting homes. If in case discriminatory acts were present at the time of dealing, the aggrieved parties can file a complaint. The alleged discriminating owner will have to undergo due process (or court hearing) before penalties or other legal actions will be imposed.

Racial and governmental discrimination was very evident in the 60s. Because of this, several incidences of riots and violence were triggered. As the situation worsened in 1968, President Johnson ordered the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders to figure out the root cause of such discrimination. According to the report, the cause was rage and ghettoization.

As a remedy to the problem, it was recommended to eliminate racial separation in housing. In March 11, 1968, the congress responded by making the act with amendments. However, the enactment of such law was not until after the death of Martin Luther King Jr. At this time, the country was shaken by another riot. As a result, President Johnson signed the act and it became the policy to promote fair housing in United States. In 1974, additional prohibitions were made as to discrimination to sex, disability and familial status.