BMATWT 211 - Energy Efficient Housing
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Course Syllabus
Course Objective:
"Energy Efficient Housing" presents residential energy conservation as a primary energy
resource. Energy conservation is the most cost-effective,
environmentally safe method for lowering energy costs and reducing
dependence on a finite supply of fossil fuel. Conservation must not
be confused with personal sacrifice or going without. It means being
smarter and using better, more efficient technology. Students
explore alternative sources of energy, but primary discussion in
Energy Efficient Housing involves technical issues, dealing with
building methods and materials used to save energy while at the same
time, improving comfort and performance. Political, economic and
environmental issues are inextricably connected to conservation and
enter into classroom dialogue. This course is designed to complement
the existing curriculum offered to Building Materials and Wood
Technology students, but since we all live in homes, use energy and
make critical housing decisions, students from all disciplines are
encouraged to enroll.
Classroom lectures focus on the fundamentals of residential
energy-use involving: energy-saving materials and products;
energy-efficient technology and design; sustainable construction;
alternative energy sources; affordable housing, political impact and
regulatory developments.
Grading and Evaluation:
1) Students are expected to play an active role in classroom learning by participating in group discussions. This means that STUDENTS MUST:
A. Read the assigned readings PRIOR to class.
B. Be prepared to discuss the reading materials with the class.
NOTE: The readings listed for each class date are the ones to read for the following class.
2) Regular class attendance is expected. Guest lecturers will be
invited to present:
- Coldham & Hartman Architects on High Performance Homes: Case Studies in Design and Construction
- Nathan Yost of 3-D Building Solutions on Residential Building Investigations.
Attendance is mandatory for these presentations.
% of grade:
15% Exam #1
15% Exam #2
25% Final Exam
15% Three Homework Assignments
30% Three Quizzes
Required Texts:
1) Energy Crafted Home Builder's Guide by West River Communications, Inc.; 1991. Sponsored by and written for Northeast Utilities.
2) Insulate and Weatherize by Bruce Harley, The Taunton Press; 2002.
Web Site: http://courses.umass.edu/bmat211
ACCESS to BuildingGreen Suite for Readings:
Access to BuildingGreen Suite is now available for the Umass Amherst community. The direct url is:
http://silk.library.umass.edu:2048/login?url=http://www.buildinggreen.com/au
th/article.cfm?fileName=160201a.xml
This url incorporates the proxy server prefix which enables off-campus access with OIT account username/password.
Also, BuildingGreen Suite is now included in our "Database Locator": http://www.library.umass.edu/cgi-bin/aka/databases.cgi.
Credits: three
Prerequisites: None
Week |
Class |
Topic |
Assignment |
1 |
#1 – Tues (9/4) |
Course Overview and Defining EEH |
- The Real Price of Gas (Update) |
#2 – Thurs (9/6) |
Beyond Petroleum – Renewable Energy At the Policy Level |
- Renewable Energy: An Overview (NREL) |
|
2 |
#3 – Tues (9/11) |
Alternative Energy For Our Homes: Solar, Hydrogen, Conservation |
- Mastering Solar Energy Systems (BSC) |
#4 – Thurs (9/13) |
Energy Units, Fuel Conversions, & Understanding Energy Bills |
- Comparing Heating Fuels (DOE) |
|
3 |
#5 - Tues (9/18) |
Energy Flows: Conduction, Convection, Radiation |
- ECH: Chapter 4 |
#6 – Thurs (9/20) |
The House as a System Quiz #1 |
- Insulate & Weatherize (I&W): Ch. 1 |
|
4 |
#7 – Tues (9/25) |
Review: Quiz 1 and homework problem |
- ECH Chapter 9 |
#8 – Thurs (9/27) |
Understanding & Managing Moisture |
-Heat Loss Calculations (PSU) |
|
5 |
#9 – Tues (10/2) |
Workshop: Calculating Heat Loss & Estimating Impact of Heating Degree Days |
No New Reading Assignment |
#10 – Thurs (10/4) |
Heat Loss Calculations (cont’d) |
No New Reading Assignment |
|
6 |
#11 – Tues |
HOLIDAY – NO CLASS |
No New Reading Assignment |
#12 – Thurs |
Heat Loss Calculations (cont’d) |
Study for Exam 1 |
|
7 |
#13 – Tues |
EXAM 1 |
- The Moomaw’s Model Home (Business Week) |
#14 – Thurs |
Guest Speaker: Coldham and Hartman Architects: Zero Energy Homes |
- ECH: Chapters 10 & 11 - I&W: Chapter 2 |
|
8 |
#15 – Tues |
Understanding & Managing Air Flow |
- 7 Rules of Thumb for Managing Moisture (GreenBuilder) |
#16 – Thurs |
Understanding Moisture Flow: Basic Pyschrometrics & A Case Study |
- BSC Designs That Work |
|
9 |
#17 – Tues |
- Dealing with Climate & Building Types |
-ECH: Chapters 11, 20 & 21 |
#18 – Thurs |
High Performance Building Envelope: Foundations, Above-Grade Walls, Roofs |
-ECH: Chapter 22 |
|
10 |
#19 – Tues (11/6) |
High Performance Building Envelope: Foundations, Above-Grade Walls, Roofs (cont'd) Quiz #2 |
- Chapter 3 FPL Wood Handbook |
#20 – Thurs |
Guest Lecture: Nathan Yost on Building Investigations |
- ECH Chapter 13, 23 - Safer Pest Control (EBN)
|
|
11 |
#21 – Tues |
High Performance Building Envelope: Foundations, Above-Grade Walls, Roofs (cont'd) |
- ECH: Chapters 14 & 24 |
#22 – Thurs |
High Performance Windows |
Study for Exam 2 |
|
12 |
#23 – Tues |
EXAM 2 |
- ECH: Chapter 15 |
No Class |
Thanksgiving |
||
13 |
#24 – Tues |
HVAC Systems |
- ECH: Chapter 5
|
#25 – Thurs |
Passive Solar Design
|
- ECH Chapter 17 |
|
14 |
#26 – Tues |
Domestic Hot Water: Systems & Distribution |
To Be Determined |
#27 – Thurs |
Vegetable Oil as a Fuel Source: Vehicle and Home Heating |
- Measurement & Verification (EBN) |
|
15 |
#28 – Tues |
Managing Base Load: Feedback Dashboards Quiz 3 |
Complete Take Home Quiz #3 |
#29 – Thurs |
- Course Evaluations |
Study for Final Exam |
|
|
EEH 211's Final Exam is scheduled for Room 203 Holdsworth at 4 pm on Thursday, December 20th.
|
Contact Information: |