Chapter 7

Question 1

What are the economic benefits of installing insulation

Answer 1

Reduces heating costs
Improving the value of the home
Grant assistance available for the work

Question 2

What are environmental benefits of installing insulation

Answer 2

Reduced carbon emissions

Increased levels of home comfort

Reduced likelihood of condensation and mildew

Question 3

How can a family change their behaviour to minimise energy consumption in their home

Answer 3

Turning down heating

Turning off heating at night and when house is unoccupied

Put down draught excluders

Question 4

How does insulation influence the energy efficiency of a building

Answer 4

Adding insulation will increase the energy efficiency

Question 5

How does improved airtightness influence the energy efficiency of a building

Answer 5

Improving airtightness around windows will mean their is higher energy efficiency

Question 6

How does improved glazing effect energy efficiency

Answer 6

Improved glazing will improve the energy efficiency of the building

Question 7

What is the definition of U value

Answer 7

The u value for a particular construction material is the rate at which is conducted away through 1 metre squared of the material for each 1 degree difference in temperature

between the outside and inside of the building

Question 8

What is the calculation for rate of heat flow

Answer 8

Rate of heat flow = U value x Area x Temperature difference

Question 9

State the zero carbon homes hierarchy in order from top to bottom

Answer 9

Allowable solutions
On site low/zero carbon heat and power
Fabric energy efficiency
Left side - carbon compliance
Right side - zero carbon

Question 10

What are the three core requirements for a zero carbon home

Answer 10

The fabric performance must at a minimum comply with the fabric energy efficiency standard

Any C02 emissions remaining must at a minimum be less than or equal to the carbon compliance limit

Any C02 emissions from regulated energy sources must be reduced to zero

Question 11

What measures can be taken on a home to achieve zero carbon homes

Answer 11

Good insulation
Good air tightness
Efficient heating and ventilation systems

Question 12

Name the two main environmental building performance measurement systems for buildings in the UK

Answer 12

BREEAM
CSH

Question 13

What are the challenges of the UK government using the CSH

Answer 13

Rely on user participation
Will cost more economically to have homes built that way
Might be hard to encourage suppliers to get materials in a more sustainable matter

Question 14

What are the opportunities available for the UK government using the CSH

Answer 14

Promotes energy efficiency
Incentives
CSH allows specific criteria to be addressed