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V

Validation

An independent assessment of the carbon offset project design and baseline calculations by an accredited third-party auditor that takes place before the project activity is underway.

Valley Gutter

Horizontal or sloping gutter, usually lead-or-tile-lined, at the internal intersection between two roof slopes.

Valuation

A brief inspection, for the benefit of your lender, of the home you hope to buy. This is to make sure they are not lending more than the property is worth and that the property is suitable security for the mortgage, but this will not tell you if it is a good or bad buy. For your own peace of mind, you may want your own survey.

Valuation Office Agency

See VOA

Vapour barrier

A layer of impervious material, often heavy gauge polythene sheeting) used to prevent the passage of moisture through the structure.

Variable Base Rate

The basic rate of interest charged on a mortgage which may go up or down in relation to market conditions.

Variable Speed Drive systems

HVAC system designs are increasingly incorporating variable speed drives (VSDs) to provide control, and reduce the energy consumption of, the motors on fans and pumps.

The term Variable-Speed Drive describes the equipment used to control the speed of pumps, fans and compressors. Variable speed drives may be purely mechanical, electromechanical, hydraulic, or electronic. It is generally accepted that variable speed pumping systems offer significant benefits compared to constant flow systems.

For alternating current (AC) electric motors this is achieved by controlling the frequency and/or voltage of the electrical power supplied to the motor. As the motor reduces the operating speed of the fan, pump or compressor the power required to operate the system is greatly reduced

Vendor

The Seller of the property.

Venetian

A window composed of three openings or lights within the frame, the central light arched, the two flanking with flat heads.

Ventilation

Necessary in all buildings to disperse moisture resulting from bathing, cooking, breathing etc. and to assist in prevention of condensation. Floors -necessary to avoid rot, especially Dry Rot; achieved by airbricks near to ground level. Roofs - necessary to disperse condensation within roof spaces; achieved either by airbricks in gables or ducts at the eaves. (see Condensation)

Ventilation Strategies

· Night Ventilation
Can be defined as the presence of suitable systems, controls and operating strategy such that overnight ventilation (passive and/or mechanical) is used to cool down the exposed building mass and thereby offset daytime cooling demands. If no such operation and subsequent offset is possible through the automatic operation of systems and controls then night ventilation strategy is deemed to be not present as part of the building energy asset rating.
· Ventilation with Enhanced Thermal Coupling to Structure
This is a further development of the Night Ventilation strategy such that significant components of the building structure in addition to its ordinary surfaces are exposed to night ventilation, in order to enhance the building's capability of offsetting daytime cooling demands. An example of this procedure is the TermoDeck system where night ventilation is passed through ducts in the solid floors of the building, thereby increasing the 'coolth' contained in the thermal capacity of the building structure available to offset subsequent summertime daytime cooling loads.

VER (Verified emission reduction)

Verified Emission Reductions (VER) - a carbon credit created by a project which has been verified outside of the Kyoto Protocol. One VER corresponds to one tonne of CO2e emission reductions.

Verification

An independent assessment of quantification of actual emission reductions achieved by a carbon offset project, carried out by an accredited third-party auditor after the project is underway.

Verified emission reduction

See VER

Verge

The edge of a roof, especially over a gable.

Verge Board

Timber, sometimes decorative plastic material, placed at the verge of a roof: also known as bargeboard.

Vinyl Flooring

A soft flexible and cushioned flooring available in sheets or tiles.

VOA (Valuation Office Agency)

A department in the local authority

Voussoir

Wedge-shaped brick used in arch construction.