Building Energy Technologies
Certificate Program
BET 210: Residential Building Energy & Environmental Systems
Fall 2009 - Mondays; September 28 - December 21 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Course Description: This three (3) credit course details energy systems and energy efficiency technologies utilized in single and multi-family residential building types. It covers systems design and installation in both new construction and retrofit projects. It introduces field auditing techniques, environmental impacts (indoor air quality, asbestos, lead, voc’s, radon, waste disposal issues, etc.), worker health & safety considerations, Energy Star certification, building commissioning procedures, and local regulatory requirements. An off-campus visit to a residential “green” building/construction site will be scheduled as part of this course. Writing assignments, as appropriate for the discipline, are part of the course.
Course Goals: To provide the participant with the background and basics of skills necessary to assist in the planning and design, installation, retro-fitting, assessment, and auditing of energy efficiency technologies and environmental indicators as applied to residential construction and rehab projects.
Textbooks/Materials: Green Building Guidelines-Meeting the Demand for Low-Energy Resources Efficient Homes, 4th Edition. Sustainable Buildings Industry Council. ISBN 0-9762073-1-1
Krigger, John and Dorsi, Chris. Residential Energy, 4th Edition. 2004. Saturn Resource Management Inc., Helena, MT. ISBN 1-880120-12-7
Other instructional materials and case studies as selected by the instructor.
Meeting # 1 – Introduction to Course. Instructional goals and student requirements; The “Whole Building” design process;
Meeting # 2 – Land selection and development; the site planning process.
Meeting # 3 – Construction Waste Management. Building Materials – selecting, purchasing, and storing (begin).
Meeting # 4 – Building Materials - Case Study – Value Engineering. An overview of Renewable Energy strategies in residential construction.
Meeting # 5 – The Building Envelope – foundations, walls, floors, roofs, insulation, and windows – air vapor and moisture intrusion.
Meeting #6 – The Building Envelope – foundations, walls, floors, roofs, insulation, and windows – air vapor and moisture intrusion.
Meeting # 7 – Heating and air conditioning systems and equipment.
Meeting # 8 – Efficient Water Use – indoor water use systems and equipment. Water heating.
Meeting # 9 – Efficient Water Use – outdoor water use systems and equipment. Residential Electrical Systems.
Meeting # 10 – Residential Electrical Systems – lighting systems and equipment and appliances.
Meeting # 11 – Indoor Environmental Issues – indoor air quality, radon, moisture control, ventilation, off-gassing, acoustics, safety.
Meeting # 12 – Long-term building operations and maintenance concerns.
Meeting # 13 – Building certification and commissioning – LEED, ENERGY STAR, and other programs. Regulatory issues – local building codes and permitting.
Meeting # 14 – Off-site experiential learning visit to a “green” residential construction – class tour and auditing demonstration to an in-process or recently completed residential green building, as arranged by the instructor (may occur in a different class week, depending upon scheduling).
Meeting # 15 – Review, discussion of site visit. Course review.
Meeting # 16 – Final examination
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