Course syllabus - Energy Efficient Buildings

Objectives

This course should provide good knowledge regarding building technology and building services engineering (HVAC) that contribute to a low demand for purchased energy to buildings. The course will also provide additional knowledge regarding building physics, ventilation technology and indoor climate, etc. that provide a better understanding of building-related problems of various kinds, in order to apply technologies that will contribute to both energy efficient and healthy buildings.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student should be able to
1. demonstrate a good ability to calculate the energy balance of buildings without the help of available energy calculation programs (existing software)
2. evaluate different opportunities to save energy with measures regarding both building technology and building services engineering (HVAC) in both new and existing buildings
3. assess whether there is a potential conflict between energy conservation and indoor climate for different energy saving measures
4. analyze and interpret results both critically and independently regarding energy and indoor climate in buildings based on values from both calculations and measurements
5. demonstrate a good ability to work independently on investigating energy and indoor climate issues for buildings and to present the results both orally and in writing in well-prepared technical reports.
 

Course content

Calculations of the energy balance of buildings without available energy calculation programs (existing software), primarily monthly calculations for residential buildings. Building technology and building services engineering (HVAC) that contribute to lower energy consumption, with different conditions for new and existing buildings. Electric efficiency for fans, pumps, lighting etc. Heat pumps. Heat exchangers. Passive solar heating, active solar heating and solar electricity. Experiences from existing energy efficient buildings. Energy efficiency and conservation requirements for existing buildings - contradictions and opportunities. Energy efficiency and healthy buildings - contradictions and opportunities. Building related problems and health issues. Indoor climate issues regarding air quality, thermal indoor climate and acoustics. The importance of ventilation for energy efficiency and indoor climate. Building technology and calculations regarding moisture problems.

Specific requirements

75 credits within an engineering program including 2 credits within Building Physics and 2 credits within Building Services Engineering (HVAC), or similar.

Examination

Home examination (HEM1), 4 credits, grades 3, 4 or 5 (learning outcomes 1-4)
Written examination (TEN2), 5 credits, grades 3, 4 or 5 (learning outcomes 1-4)
Project (PRO1), 2 credits, grade Pass (G) (learning outcomes 1, 2, 4 and 5)
Project (PRO2), 4 credits, grade Pass (G) (learning outcomes 2-5)

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Grading scale: 5, 4, 3

Interim Regulations and Other Regulations

The course overlaps 12 credits with BTA400 Energy Efficient Buildings.