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Teaching Energy Efficiency Basics

Joshua Radoff

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Specialization Lead, MENV

University of Colorado Boulder

LEEDuser Expert

33 thumbs up

January 25, 2022

Hi All,

I'm teaching a class this semester at CU Boulder on Zero Carbon Buildings and Cities (a new class that I'm making up as I go). The hardest part, I'm finding, is locating some good materials that cover the basics of energy efficiency for non-building engineers or designers (we are energy and sustainability generalists in this program). Something that outlines loads, performance metrics like U-value and SHGC, appliance standards, HVAC system types, and then maybe how building energy codes work. I can speak to all of these, and I've created some really pituful drawings in ppt, but it'd be great if someone already had this lined up and ready to go. Any ideas?

Thanks,

Josh

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emily reese moody

Sustainability Director, Certifications & Compliance

Jacobs

LEEDuser Expert

469 thumbs up

Tue, 01/25/2022 - 22:00

Hi Josh, I saw this not too long ago and it seems like a decent start. It's targeted for decarbonization, but does also have some starter content like you describe. Poke around the 'Teaching Materials' link.
https://bdla.stanford.edu/ If for some reason that link doesn't work (sometimes our firewall does weird things), it's called the The Stanford Building Decarbonization Learning Accelerator.

Lois Vitt Sale

Chief Sustainability Officer

Wight & Company

LEEDuser Basic Member

0 thumbs up

Tue, 01/25/2022 - 22:41

Hi Josh. The only thing that comes to mind is the AIA COTE Top Ten Toolkit….I don’t think it’s available in ppt but at least it provides a cogent breakdown of the components of energy efficiency…. https://network.aia.org/HigherLogic/System/DownloadDocumentFile.ashx?DocumentFileKey=3b309447-1472-66d9-f689-283d66865779 Hope you’re well and avoiding Omicron! I’m currently in Boca Grande FL dodging winter for a few weeks. Best Regards, Lois From: Joshu

Don Jones

Principal, Director of Sustainable Design

EwingCole

LEEDuser Basic Member

0 thumbs up

Wed, 01/26/2022 - 13:31

The New Carbon Architecture. Good Book. https://www.perlego.com/book/566908/new-carbon-architecture-building-to-cool-the-planet-pdf?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&gclid=Cj0KCQiA_8OPBhDtARIsAKQu0gYSga7aXT87eW93ayPcv7KLaFaQA0Z-oW5IfV8Ug6lfKG29VU9he1kaAj6xEALw_wcB

Rushyan Yen

Sustainability Program Manager

Amazon

LEEDuser Basic Member

0 thumbs up

Wed, 01/26/2022 - 18:49

Hi Josh, A few books come to mind: The latest edition of Green Building Illustrated might have good diagrams and sketches you can use. It covers just about everything you've outlined - codes, envelope, building systems, etc. The Architet's Studio Companion breaks down various building systems with easy to understand diagrams. Kjell's book Design Energy Simulation for Architects has great diagrams and tons of example case studies. Also, this doesn't get as detailed as what you're looking for, but LETI's Climate Emergency Design Guide is a free and super helpful resource that breaks down the path to getting to a zero carbon built environment by 2050. Best, Rushyan

Joshua Radoff

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Specialization Lead, MENV

University of Colorado Boulder

LEEDuser Expert

33 thumbs up

Thu, 01/27/2022 - 16:11

All -- Thank you! These are awesome. Thanks so much. Josh

Rami Moussa

Principal

Point Energy Innovations

LEEDuser Basic Member

0 thumbs up

Thu, 02/10/2022 - 17:23

Thank you for sharing this link, Emily! And I'm very please to see that folks have already found the Building Decarbonization Learning Accelerator material. My company, Point Energy innovations, in collaboration with Stanford University developed (and continues to develop) the material for the BDLA. If folks are having access issues please do let me know. We are trying to disseminate these critcal concepts as quickly as possible! Best, Rami