[L12]_Energy Estimating

Question 1

IND405

What percentage of U.S. energy consumption is accounted for by residential and commercial buildings?

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Answer 1

Residential and commercial buildings consumed 28% or 21 Quadrillion Btus of all end-use energy in 2021, according to the EIA. 39% of U.S. energy end-use usage is construction energy.

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Question 2

IND405

How do sustainable energy resources help reduce overall energy losses in buildings?

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Answer 2

Sustainable energy resources are being developed to increase the onsite power generation for buildings in order to reduce overall energy losses.

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Question 3

IND405

List three (3) ways in which energy resources can be defined?

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Answer 3

1. Energy which is extracted from the earth
2. Energy which is generated for power delivery to building sites (i.e. Coal, Natural Gas, and Oil power plants)
3. Energy which naturally occurs and can be generated on site (i.e. Solar, Wind, Geothermal)

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Question 4

IND405

How can a finalized commissioning energy analysis help you validate earned cost savings?

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Answer 4

A full commissioning energy study will confirm realized cost reductions and forecast future savings over the system’s lifetime.

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Question 5

IND405

List four (4) types of HVAC controls used in commercial buildings?

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Answer 5

1. Thermostats
2. Sensors
3. Timers
4. Variable frequency drives (VFDs)

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Question 6

IND405

List three (3) examples of sustainable energy resources that can be generated on site?

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Answer 6

1. Solar power
2. Wind power
3. Geothermal power

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Question 7

IND405

What is the purpose of providing a preliminary project building energy estimation and analysis?

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Answer 7

Providing a preliminary project building energy estimation and analysis can set up a project for success or identify design concept issues before they start.

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Question 8

IND405

What are some common lighting upgrades that can improve energy efficiency in a building?

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Answer 8

ommon lighting upgrades that can improve energy efficiency in a building include LED lighting, occupancy sensors, and daylight harvesting systems.

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Question 9

IND405

What is the difference between passive and active solar heating systems?

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Answer 9

Passive solar heating systems use natural processes like convection and radiation to heat a building, while active solar heating systems use mechanical equipment like pumps and fans to circulate heated air or water.

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Question 10

IND405

What is the role of green roofs in improving building sustainability?

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Answer 10

Green roofs can help improve building sustainability by reducing stormwater runoff, improving insulation and reducing cooling costs, providing habitat for wildlife, and reducing the urban heat island effect.

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Question 11

IND405

What is net-zero energy (NZE) building design?

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Answer 11

Net-zero energy (NZE) buildings use energy-efficient design and renewable energy to generate as much energy as they need in a year. NZE buildings reduce carbon emissions and fossil fuel usage.

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Question 12

IND405

What is the role of building automation systems (BAS) in improving energy efficiency?

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Answer 12

BAS regulate HVAC, lighting, and water heating based on occupancy, weather, and other conditions to conserve energy. They can also track and improve energy use in real time.

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Question 13

IND405

What are some common barriers to implementing sustainable design strategies in buildings?

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Answer 13

Sustainable building design is often hindered by a lack of awareness or understanding of sustainable design principles, perceived higher costs or lack of financial incentives for sustainable features, stakeholder or regulatory agency resistance, and a lack of sustainable materials or technologies.

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Question 14

IND405

How can occupants contribute to improving the sustainability of a building?

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Answer 14

Occupants can help make a building more sustainable by turning off lights, using reusable containers instead of disposable ones, taking shorter showers or fixing leaks, using public transportation or carpooling instead of driving alone, and more.

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Question 15

IND405

What is the difference between a green building and a sustainable building?

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Answer 15

A green building focuses on reducing environmental impact, while a sustainable building focuses on meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs,

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Question 16

IND405

What is embodied energy in building materials?

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Answer 16

Embodied energy in building materials refers to the energy consumed during the extraction, processing, transportation, and manufacturing of those materials.

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Question 17

IND405

What are some common strategies for reducing water consumption in buildings?

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Answer 17

Common strategies for reducing water consumption in buildings include using low-flow fixtures, capturing and reusing rainwater or graywater, and implementing water-efficient landscaping practices.

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Question 18

IND405

What is life cycle costing (LCC) and how can it be used in building design?

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Answer 18

Life cycle costing (LCC) calculates the lifetime cost of owning and running a structure. It may be used in building design to assess design choices based on long-term costs rather than beginning expenses.

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Question 19

IND405

What are some common certifications for green buildings?

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Answer 19

Green building certifications include LEED, WELL, Living Building Challenge, and Green Globes.

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Question 20

IND405

What is the Degree-Days Method and how is it used to determine the heating requirements of buildings?

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Answer 20

Building heating energy analysis uses the Degree-Days method. Degree-Days are used to calculate building heating demands by measuring the average daily temperature below 65°F. The Balance-Point Temperature is the average outside temperature at which the building does not need HVAC. Space energy requirement depends on the balance-point temperature minus the outside temperature. This works if building usage and HVAC efficiency are constant.

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