Energy Building Performance

Question 1

Why is energy conservation in the home important?

Answer 1

Buildings that operate more efficiently have a reduced energy demand. That means lower operating costs.

Question 2

State ways in which energy can be conserved in a house. (9)

Answer 2

Switching off
Draft matts
Care in the kitchen
Shower heads
Time in the shower
Heating
Lighting
Micro-generation 
Light bulbs

Question 3

Explain how Draft Matts can improve energy conservation.

Answer 3

In most homes heat escapes trough doors, windows and chimneys.

Draft proofing costs £200 but saves £35/year.

Question 4

Explain how Micro-generation can improve energy conservation.

Answer 4

Biomass boiler would not only save you money, but would be a source of income.

Question 5

What where BEDZeds performance advantages? (3)

Answer 5

Space heating requirements - 80% less
Hot water consumption - 57% less
Electricity usage - 25% less

Question 6

What are the economic benefits of energy conservation in the home? (1)

Answer 6

Reduced running costs such as heating and lighting.

Question 7

Suggest 2 ways in which a person could reduce their individual ecological footprint. (2)

Answer 7

• Eat less meet, turn vegetarian.

- Use public transport and car pool.

Question 8

How might a government go about trying to reduce their ecological footprint? (2)

Answer 8

Introduce levy’s and taxes on items such as meat to encourage people to eat more vegetables.

Question 9

Outline 3 ways that BED-Zed was designed to be a sustainable project. (3)

Answer 9

• Triple glazing windows
• Increased insulation
• Passive solar design

Question 10

What types of things might a person do to reduce their energy use in the home?(2)

Answer 10

• Attach water efficient shower heads

- Draft proof their windows and windows

Question 11

List 3 critical factors that influence the energy efficiency of a building as listed in the specification. (3)

Answer 11

• Triple glazing windows
• Air tightness
• Insulation

Question 12

Define what is meant by the U-Value of a construction material. (2)

Answer 12

The rate at which heat conducts through 1m2 of material, for the temperature difference between inside and outside.

Question 13

What is the equation for the rate of heat flow?

Answer 13

Q = A x U x T

Question 14

A wall is said to have a heat loss of 55W. Describe in words what this means.

Answer 14

55 joules pass through the wall in one second

Question 15

What building regulation was used up until 2015 for ensuring that new homes took energy conservation into consideration? (2)

Answer 15

Building Regulation L1A 2006, Conservation of fueland power in new dwellings.

Question 16

A new code was released with the aim of taking the performance of buildings above this minimum threshold. Mention its name, when it was published and when it was removed from government policy. (3)

Answer 16

• Code for sustainable homes.
• Published in 2006, operational in 2007.
• Removed March 2015.

Question 17

Make reference to the new code for homes which will be operational from 2016 on wards. List the 3 associated levels for this new legislation.

Answer 17

Zero Carbon Homes 2016
1 - Allowable solutions.
2 - Low carbon heat and power.
3 - Fabric efficiency.

Question 18

Mae reference to the Kg of CO2/m2/year in the old codes, and the new codes. How can a contractor ensure that he gets below the new threshold?

Answer 18

• Old code - 28 Kg/CO2/m2/year
• New code - 11 Kg/CO2/m2/year

The 2 lower levels of Zero Carbon Hierarchy is used to d lower the value below 11 Kg.

Question 19

Name the 3 levels of the Zero Carbon Homes policy.

Answer 19

1 - Allowable solutions.
2 - Low carbon heat and power.
3 - Fabric efficiency.

Question 20

Describe 2 measures that could be taken to improve energy efficiency of the outside wall of a bedroom.(2)

Answer 20

Adding additional insulation (Cavity) to the external wall.

Improved glazing improve air tightness around windows

Question 21

State 1 environmental benefit gained by installing insulation in the loft.(1)

Answer 21

Increased levels of home comfort.

Question 22

What is the top level of the ZCH hierarchy? (1)

Answer 22

Allowable solutions.

Question 23

What is the bottom level of the ZCH hierarchy?(1)

Answer 23

Fabric energy efficiency.

Question 24

Explain 2 core requirements for a ZCH. (2)

Answer 24

The fabric performance must, at a minimum, comply with the Fabric Energy Efficiency Standard (FEES) [1]

CO2 that remains after consideration of heating, cooling, fixed lighting and ventilation, must be less or equal to the Carbon Compliance limit [1]

Question 25

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

Answer 25

Installing double glazed windows (1).

These will have improved U-Values and will reduce heat loss (1).

Question 26

State one economic benefit and one environmental benefit of cavity insulation (2)

Answer 26

• Reduced heating costs.

- Reduced carbon emissions.

Question 27

Outline two ways to minimise energy consumption for home heating.

Answer 27

Closing doors & windows to reduce heat loss.

Turn the heating off at night and when its unoccupied.

Question 28

Define what is meant by the term ‘U value’.

Answer 28

a measure of the rate at which heat is conducted through
1m2 of a material for each one degree difference in temperature between
the outside and the inside of the material.

Question 29

Name two of the main environmental building performance

measurement systems for buildings in the UK.

Answer 29

BREEAM [1]

CSH [1]

Question 30

Outline two different
measures which could be taken to improve the energy efficiency of the
family home.(4)

Answer 30

Providing high levels of insulation [1] to floors, wall and roofs [1]

Installing double/triple/low emissivity glazing and insulated window frames [1] to reduce heat loss through windows [1]

Question 31

Describe one behavioural change which the family members might make, in order to minimise their energy consumption for home heating.

Answer 31

Closing windows and doors when heating is on [1] could reduce heat
loss through openings [1]

Question 32

Outline two factors other than the U value which determine the rate of heat loss through a material. (2)

Answer 32

The area (m2) of the material [1]

The temperature difference between the two sides of the material [1]

Question 33

Outline three different measures which could be used to achieve the Fabric Energy Efficiency requirements of the Zero Carbon Homes hierarchy. (3)

Answer 33

The use of an appropriate building form [1]

Well insulated walls, floor, roof [1]

Good air-tightness [1]