BCN 1592 - Energy Efficient Building Construction for Florida's Climate

Engineering and Building Arts Department

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Fall 2009 (415)

Requisites

Prerequisite REA 0007

Course Description

This is an introductory course to designing and building energy efficient structures for Florida’s sub-tropical and tropical climates. This course will investigate strategies, elements and devices that have been used successfully, in both historic and contemporary context, to enhance human comfort with less impact on the environment.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the history of energy efficient design by:
    1. discussing how buildings and structures throughout history have responded to the climate.
    2. discussing how buildings and structures in Florida have responded to Florida’s sub-tropical and tropical climates.
  2. The student will demonstrate an understanding of how radiation, air temperature, humidity, air movement and surface contact can affect human comfort by:
    1. identifying the “Comfort Zone” as established by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
    2. discussing how radiation, air temperature, humidity, air movement and surface contact can affect human comfort.
    3. discussing and determining the elements and devices that may be used to control radiation, air temperature, humidity, air movement and surface contact.
  3. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the liabilities and assets of the sub-tropical and tropical climates by:
    1. listing the assets of the sub-tropical and tropical climates.
    2. listing the liabilities of the sub-tropical and tropical climates.
  4. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the devices that can be used to control the sun by:
    1. calculating the azimuth and altitude of the sun at various times of the day and during different months of the year.
    2. discussing the orientation of a building to open the structure to the assets of the sun and to protect the building from the liabilities of the sun.
    3. discussing and determining the shading devices used to protect the building from the liabilities of the sun.
    4. evaluating how proper landscaping can enhance the assets of the sun and protect from the liabilities of the sun.
  5. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the devices that can be used to induce natural ventilation by:
    1. identifying prevailing winds during different months of the year.
    2. discussing Bernoulli’s Principle and the Venturi Effect.
    3. discussing and determining the effects of positive and negative air pressures with respect to airflow and wind speed.
  6. The student will demonstrate an understanding of alternative materials and construction methods that may be utilized to increase energy efficiency by:
    1. listing alternative materials that increase energy efficiency.
    2. discussing and determining alternative construction methods that increase energy efficiency.
  7. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the economics of energy efficient construction by:
    1. discussing and determining the economic aspects of energy efficiency including construction costs, operating costs and the global economy.
    2. discussing and determining the economic aspects of energy efficiency with respect to tax incentives and tax credits.
    3. calculating the time required for energy efficient materials and the devices to pay for themselves.
  8. The student will demonstrate an understanding of the strategies used to market energy efficient designs by:
    1. discussing and determining the economic aspects of energy efficiency with respect to operating costs.
    2. discussing and determining the economic aspects of energy efficiency with respect to tax incentives and tax credits.
  9. The student will demonstrate an understanding of reference sources available for the design and construction of energy efficient homes by:
    1. researching and listing national reference sources for energy efficient strategies including but not limited to, the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), the United States Department of Energy (DOE) and the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
    2. researching and listing State and local reference sources for energy efficient strategies including but not limited to, the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC), the University of Florida Co-Operative Extension Service, and local utility (gas and electric) companies.
    3. researching and listing organizations that support energy efficient elements and devices including but not limited to, the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), and the United States Department of Energy (DOE).

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

C&I Approval: 04/28/2009, BOT Approval: 06/19/2009, Effective Term: Fall 2009 (415)

Related Programs

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  2. Construction Technology (BCNST-BAS) (670) (Active)
  3. Construction Technology (BCNST-TR) (670) (Active)
  4. Sustainability Management (SUSMGT-BAS) (640) (Active)
  5. Sustainability Management (SUSMGT-TR) (670) (Active)
  6. Sustainable Construction Technology (BCNST-CT) (550) (Active)