Life Cycle Costs and Energy Economy of Buildings (5 ECTS)

Objective

The students can explain the impact of different factors to the energy use of a building. They can produce the energy efficiency documentation required in the building permit process. They can use dynamic simulation tools to calculate the indoor environment, energy use and cooling load of a building. They master measures to prevent overheating during the summer. The students are able to make life cycle calculation to support decision making and assess the environmental impact during the life cycle of a building.

Content

Energy- and LCC-Calculation. Factors of energy efficiency. aws and statutes regulating the energy efficiency of buildings. Calculation of indoor environment and energy use using dynamic simulation tools.Life cycle calculation and life cycle assessment.

Location and time

Each part is organized in 5 modules of one week each.
We will meet every other week on campus on Friday mornings.. Before each class, students will have one week to complete the homework, which will consist of video material presenting the theoretical concepts, guided exercises and other assignments, and an exam (quiz). In class we will reflect together on the week's topic and there will also be an opportunity to get help with the quiz questions.

Materials

The learning material is provided directly by the teacher, mostly in the form of videos. In addition, you will become familiar with the most important regulations and calculation guidelines from the "Energy Efficiency" section of the current Finnish Building Code.

Teaching methods

The course is organized in two parts, EEL1 and EEL2, both of 2.5 OP. The first part deals with the calculation of energy demand of buildings according to the building code. The second part deals with the calculation of the financial feasibility of energy investments and the verification of the indoor temperature requirements in summer with dynamic simulation tools.

Exam schedules

Each final exam can be attempted 3 times in a 4-week period, and the student will receive the best grade from the 3 attempts. The exam is in the Exam-platform, so it can be booked at each student's best convenience.
The grade of each part will be a weighted average of the final exam and all weekly exams: 40% from the weekly quizzes, 60% from the final exam.

Evaluation scale

0-5

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The students are able to recognize the fundamental concepts and methods associated with the course and are able to solve simple problems. The students can, when assisted, produce the energy efficiency documentation required in the building permit process.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

In addition to above, the students are able to apply the fundamental concepts and methods associated with the course to simple problems in natural and technical sciences.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

In addition to above, the students are able to apply the fundamental concepts and methods associated with the course to more demanding problems in natural and technical sciences.

Assessment criteria, approved/failed

The students are able to recognize the fundamental concepts and methods associated with the course and are able to solve simple problems. The students can, when assisted, produce the energy efficiency documentation required in the building permit process.

Assessment methods and criteria

The two parts of the course can be taken separately. At the end of each part, the student has 4 weeks to pass a written exam. If both parts are passed successfully, the student will receive an overall grade for the 5-credit course, which is the average of both grades (the grade for the first part will prevail: if a student gets a 3 for part 1 and a 2 for part 2, the final grade will be a 3; if a student gets a 2 for part 1 and a 3 for part 2, the final grade will be a 2). If the student does not pass one of the two parts this year, the student may complete it next year.

Qualifications

Competences of the following studies:

Heat Distribution Systems in Buildings
Water and Sewage Systems
Ventilation systems