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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
E S D051B
Course Title (CB02)
Energy Efficient Buildings
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
A general overview of Energy Efficient Buildings with an emphasis on residential and small commercial buildings is presented in this course. Specific topics to be covered include: energy use in buildings, bioclimatic design, indoor environmental quality, heat transfer concepts, load and energy calculations, HVAC systems and equipment, and natural and artificial lighting. A hands-on lab component will accompany the lecture presentations.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This is a Career Technical Education (CTE) course and is part of the Energy Management and Building Science Degree Program. It is CSU transferable. This course prepares students for careers in advanced energy technology and managing energy efficient buildings. Students will be able master the tools required to design and effectively manage whole building systems.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
3.0
Maximum Credit Units
3.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours2.04.0
Laboratory Hours3.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
24.0
Laboratory
36.0
Total
60.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
48.0

Prerequisite(s)

E S D071. (may be taken concurrently)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

ESL D272. and ESL D273., or ESL D472. and ESL D473., or eligibility for EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Assigned reading discussions

Problem solving examples

Exploration of pertinent internet websites

Quiz and examination review

Homework and extended projects

Field observation and field trips

Guest speakers

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Laboratory exercises

Final assessment project or test

Assignments

  1. Required reading assignments from text and other relevant readings
  2. Writing assignments involving calculations, analysis, and synthesis of data and information
  3. Team project (including presentation) on an assigned topic
  4. Small group lab reports summarizing the results of laboratory exercises
  5. Final assessment/ test that will require students to demonstrate the ability to summarize, integrate and critically analyze principles and concepts

Methods of Evaluation

  1. In class homework assignments to demonstrate student comprehension of principles and concepts
  2. Individual or small group project and presentation to demonstrate the ability to analyze, synthesize and organize information concisely on an assigned topic
  3. Quizzes and a final assessment/exam to demonstrate student comprehension of key principles, theories and concepts
  4. Laboratory exerices and reports to verify the proper use of energy management tools, correct measurements of key data and the presentation of results

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None.
Essential College Facilities:
  • Kirsch Center for Environmental Studies (Special purpose facilities: sustainable building with sustainable materials, design, Energy management lab (KC239), PV (Photovoltaic/outdoor lab KC West), rooftop/building systems: solar thermal system, PV system, controls room & other equipment

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Randolph, J. & Masters, G.M. "Energy for Sustainability: Technology, Planning, Policy" Island Press, 2008
Kreider, J.F., Curtis, P.S.,& Rabl, A. "Heating and Cooling of Buildings: Design for Efficiency", 3rd Edition, CRC Pr I Llc. 2017
Grondzik, W.T. , & Kwok, A.G. "Mechanical and Electrical Equipment for Buildings", 12th Edition. John Wiley and Sons. 2014
American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers, "ASHRAE Handbook", Atlanta Ga. 2007

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Lechner, N. "Heating, Cooling and Lighting: Sustainable Design Methods for Architects", 4th Edition, John Wiley and Sons. 2015
Allen, E. "How Buildings Work: The Natural Order of Architecture", 3rd Edition, Oxford University Press, 2009
Banham, R. "The Architecture of the Well-Tempered Environment", 2nd Edition, University of Chicago Press. 2009
McKay, M., Brown, G.Z., Sekiguchi, T., Kline, J. Mhuireach, G. In Bennett, S., & Cartwright, V. "Sun, Light and Wind: Architectural Design Strategies", 3rd Edition, Wiley, 2014.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Assess building energy use, bioclimatic design and the criteria for a comfortable and healthy environment
  • Identify and examine the basic principles of heat transfer for buildings
  • Assess and estimate the heating and cooling loads of a building envelope
  • Analyze the impact of daylighting and electrical lighting systems on the energy use of buildings

CSLOs

  • Assess environmentally responsive building strategies and systems that control indoor environmental conditions while providing human comfort and minimal energy use.

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental scientific principles governing the thermal and luminous behavior of buildings.

  • Demonstrate the ability to conduct basic energy math analysis as it relates to the energy demand and load of buildings.

Outline

  1. Assess building energy use, bioclimatic design and the criteria for a comfortable and healthy environment
    1. Energy use of buildings
    2. Bioclimatic design
    3. Thermal comfort and indoor air quality
  2. Identify and examine the basic principles of heat transfer for buildings
    1. Introduction to heat transfer
    2. Three methods of heat transfer
    3. Heat loss through solid and opaque sufaces
    4. Heat loss due to infiltration
    5. Overall heat loss factor
  3. Assess and estimate the heating and cooling loads of a building envelope
    1. Temperature design conditions and weather data
    2. Air properties and psychometrics
    3. Heating and cooling load calculations
    4. Internal loads
    5. Basic HVAC systems and equipment
  4. Analyze the impact of daylighting and electrical lighting systems on the energy use of buildings
    1. Physics of light
    2. Vision
    3. Daylight principles
    4. Shading
    5. Electric lighting and controls

Lab Topics

  1. HOBOware/Excel Data Retrieval and Analysis
  2. Evaluation of Insulation Materials
  3. Blower Door Test
  4. Daylighting Area Study
  5. UA- Value Estimation
  6. Electrical Lighting Characteristics
  7. Building Energy Simulation
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