Energy-Efficient Building Design: Achieving Low Energy and Low Carbon Buildings

Course Description

This comprehensive course is an essential program for anyone interested in sustainable architecture and energy-efficient building design. This introductory-level course provides a deep dive into the principles of thermal design and energy management in buildings.

What You'll Learn

• The energy chain approach and its importance in achieving low energy and low carbon buildings
• Estimation techniques for major heat losses and gains in buildings
• Methods to achieve thermal balance and determine space heating and cooling needs
• Calculation of heating energy demand for hot tap water and electricity needs for appliances and lighting
• Optimization strategies for window size, insulation, orientation, and ventilation while considering building occupancy

Prerequisites

No specific prerequisites are required for this course, making it accessible to beginners and professionals alike who are interested in sustainable building design.

Course Content

• Basic principles of the energy chain: demand, supply, and distribution
• Design principles for sustainable and energy-efficient buildings
• Types of heat losses and gains in building operations
• Estimation of heat transfer through construction, ventilation, solar radiation, internal sources, and heat storage
• Hourly energy needs estimation using static energy balances
• Yearly energy demand calculation and its importance in energy efficiency
• Sizing of heating and cooling equipment
• Optimization of building design for energy efficiency
• Thermal interactions between building components

Who Should Take This Course

• Architecture students
• Building designers and engineers
• Construction professionals
• Sustainability enthusiasts
• Property developers
• Anyone interested in energy-efficient building design and sustainable architecture

Real-World Applications

The skills acquired in this course have immediate real-world applications. Learners will be able to:

• Design more energy-efficient and sustainable buildings
• Reduce energy costs in new and existing structures
• Make informed decisions on building materials and design elements
• Contribute to reducing carbon emissions in the built environment
• Optimize HVAC systems for better performance and energy savings
• Advise clients on energy-efficient building solutions
• Stay competitive in the growing field of sustainable architecture

Syllabus Overview

The course is structured around the following main topics:

1. Introduction to the energy chain and sustainable building design
2. Heat transfer and energy flows in buildings
3. Estimating hourly energy needs using static energy balances
4. Calculating yearly energy demand and equipment sizing
5. Optimizing building design for energy efficiency

This course is part of the Professional Certificate in Buildings as Sustainable Energy Systems, offering a comprehensive understanding of creating energy-efficient and sustainable buildings.