Commercial Building Energy Systems
ARCH 4500-1 Course Listing
Course Description
A hands-on undergraduate research course, engaging student teams in the analysis of energy use and design of an energy upgrade for a commercial building. Commercial Buildings consume nineteen percent of US energy and present major opportunities for cost-effective energy savings. This course is designed to introduce students to the benefits and barriers of commercial building energy efficiency. Topics will include, but are not limited to: current trends in commercial building energy efficiency, EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) ENERGY STAR Guidelines for Energy Management, rating building energy efficiency with EPA’s Portfolio Manager, best energy efficiency practices, transforming the market, engaging employees in energy conservation, and tracking energy savings and greenhouse gas emissions reductions over time.
These topics will be addressed through a semester long team project measuring and analyzing the energy use, and designing a cost-effective retrofit to reduce energy in a UVA or community commercial building. Teams will evaluate multiple aspects and issues of an existing facility such as the MEP (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) equipment and systems, controls optimization opportunities, O&M (operation and maintenance) optimization, green cleaning, water (gray, rain, condensate, conservation), waste stream, building occupants’ engagement, communication, environmental impact, metrics and verification, financial costs and benefits, and environmental implications of existing and recommended practices. The teams will draw on the experience of the Facilities Management Delta Force retro-commissioning project, and the Local Energy Alliance Project (LEAP) and contribute to the activities of these programs.
Students will work in teams to define objectives, and design and implement solutions for each project. Emphasis will be placed on initiative, resourcefulness, creativity, responsibility, and teamwork to accomplish the goals of the project teams.