Sustainable Construction & the Environment:
Understand the global current and possible future context of energy use in buildings.
To understand current and possible future legislation related to energy use and environmental impact of buildings.
To select procedures for saving energy in buildings
To critically evaluate energy efficient design so as not to compromise occupant comfort
Intellectual Skills:
Identify and critically analyse issues with reference to pertinent argument and evidence
Transferable Skills:
Effectively communicate complex ideas, information and data by written and visual means in a form appropriate to the intended audience
- Manage time in achieving objectives.
- Identify and solve routine and non-routing problems.
- Communication and presentation.
- Analyse and assess information
- Learn effectively and independently
You must provide a written description of the dwelling in energy performance terms i.e. mid terrace, single glazed, solid wall etc………and also include:
1. A written explanation stating the correct age of the dwelling and how you assessed this with supporting evidence.
2. Explain in detail why the age of the property is an important factor in assessing its energy performance.
3. Describe when and under what circumstances you would enter an extension on the survey form and why?
4. Describe when, and under what circumstances, you would enter a storey as ‘rooms in roof’ and when an attic room is defined as a separate storey?
5. Describe what an alternative wall is and when you would enter it on the survey form and why?
You must complete items 3 -5 whether or not they feature in the dwelling you are assessing.
https://www.cibse.org/index.cfm?go=groups.details&GroupID=18&L1=57&L2=
https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/fcv_PEM.shtml https://www.solarcentury.co.uk/.
https://oro.open.ac.uk/19860/
https://www.sdeurope.org/index.htm?lang=en
https://www.independentonlinesolutions.com/saab/feature2.php
Council (https://www.ukgbc.org/site/aboutus) : https://watersave.uk.net/Meetings/index.html
Question 1 (Compulsory):
1) The map shows a plot of land on which a commercial building could be built. There are three initial options for the buildings main heating source, standard gas condensing boiler, Ground Source Heat Pumps or a Biomass.
a. Analyse the three options in terms of simple carbon savings per annum and financial costs over 20 years.
b. What other factors may need to be considered to complete a full evaluation of the different options.
2) Argue the use of Biofuels as a replacement for fossil fuels.
3) The use of ground source heat pumps has recently become popular. Evaluate the methods of integrating this technology into a building and how savings on carbon emissions are maximised.
4) Evaluate how solar energy systems can be used in or near to buildings to displace other energies and therefore save on carbon emissions.
5) Using thermal mass can be considered an innovative and effective method of regulating building temperatures. Evaluate the effectiveness of this technique in both how it can be utilised and clearly identify whether it could be considered appropriate in the majority of cases.
6) Discuss and evaluate the design considerations of putting a green roof on a commercial building in Central London.
7) The use of straw bales could be considered a good way of reducing energy demands in a typical home and provide a cost effective way of building. Analyse the implications of building using this material.
8) A mixed used building development consisting of Retail (Ground Floor), Offices (First floor) and Private residential flats (top floor) has been proposed in Southwark area, London.
As part of the planning requirement, Southwark council has asked for the particular development to achieve BREEAM Excellent and Code for Sustainable Homes Level 5.
a. Identify which part of the mixed use building is applicable to be assessed under BREEAM and which part is applicable to be assessed under Code for Sustainable Homes b. Analyse the difference between Code for Sustainable Homes and BREEAM methods of assessment c. Analyse the issues associated with Energy Category for the residential flats.