2.7 Energy Building performance

Question 1

Question: A household decided to install insulation in the loft. State one environmental benefit gained by doing this. {1}

Answer 1

Answer;
Environmental benefits: Any one from:

 Reduced carbon emissions.

 Increased levels of home comfort.

 Reducing likelihood of condensation and mildew

Question 2

Question;

(a) A family is considering putting cavity insulation into the walls of their home. State one economic benefit and one environmental benefit of energy conservation to be gained by doing this. {2}
(b) Unfortunately the family does not have the necessary finances to install wall insulation straightaway. Outline two different ways in which they might changes their day to day behaviour in order to minimise their energy consumption for home heating. {2}

Answer 2

Answer;

(a)

Economic benefits: Any one from;

 Reducing heating costs.
 Improving the value of your home.
 Grant assistance available for the work.

Environmental benefits: Any one from;

 Reduced carbon emissions.
 Increased levels of home comfort.
 Reducing likelihood of condensation and mildew.

(b)

An outline which covers at least two of the following;

 Turning down their heating controls / thermostat could reduce boiler running time.

 Closing windows and doors when heating is on could reduce heat loss through openings.

 Turning heating off at night and when house is unoccupied could reduce boiler running time.

 Putting draught excluders on doors to reduce heat loss through draughts.

Question 3

Question: Describe two measures that could be taken to improve the energy efficiency of the outside of Amy’s bedroom. {2}

Answer 3

Answer;
Any two from;

 Adding additional insulation (Internal / External / Cavity) to the external wall will improve energy efficiency.

 Improved glazing (double / triple / Low E) will improve energy efficiency of the room.

 Improving airtightness around windows will mean the building is more energy efficient.

Question 4

Question;
Describe one energy efficiency measure which could be implemented on a window and explain why this measure would improve the energy efficiency of the window. {2}

Answer 4

Any one measure and explanation from;

 Sealing around the edges of the window {1}. This will improve the airtightness and reduce the heat loss caused by draughts {1}.

 Install double (or triple) glazing windows {1}. These will have improved U-values and will reduce heat loss through window {1}.

Question 5

Question;

Define what is meant by the U-Value of a construction material. {2}

Answer 5

Answer;

The U-value for a particular construction material is the rate at which heat is conducted away through 1m2 of the material for each 1 degree difference in temperature {1} between the outside and the inside of the building {1}.

Question 6

Explain why installing cavity wall insulation and double glazing improves the energy efficiency of a building.

Answer 6

The higher the U value, the more heat is lost from the building through the construction materials.

Question 7

Identify the stages of the Zero Carbon Homes Hierarchy

Answer 7

Allowable solutions
On site low/zero carbon heat and power
Fabric energy efficiency

Question 8

Question:

Explain the core requirements for a Zero Carbon Home. {2}

Answer 8

 The fabric performance must, at a minimum, comply with the Fabric Energy Efficiency Standard (FEES) {1}.

 Any CO2 emissions that remain after consideration of heating, cooling, fixed lighting and ventilation, must be less than or equal to the Carbon Compliance limit established for zero carbon homes {1}.

 Any remaining CO2 emissions, from regulated energy sources (after requirements 1 and 2 are met), must be reduced to zero {1}.

Question 9

State examples of micro-generation technologies that can be used to reduce energy consumption within a dwelling.

Answer 9

Heating of water = Bio-burner, Heat pumps, Solar thermal

Electricity = Solar Pv and Wind turbines

Question 10

What percentage of the UK’s use of Energy is provided to each category:

Heating and cooling of buildings
Transport
Energy production

Answer 10

Heating and cooling of buildings = 41%
Transport = 37%
Energy production = 22%

Question 11

What does BREEAM stand for and when was it developed

Answer 11

Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method 1990

Question 12

Domestic housing stands for what percentage of issues addressed below:

UK’s GHG emissions:
Energy consumption:
Generation of waste:

Answer 12

UK’s GHG emissions: 25%
Energy consumption: over 50%
Generation of waste: 8%