CIVL8042 - Designing Sustainable Homes

Module Details

Module Code: CIVL8042
Title: Designing Sustainable Homes
Long Title: Designing Sustainable Homes
NFQ Level: Advanced
Valid From: Semester 2 - 2021/22 ( January 2022 )
Duration: 1 Semester
Credits: 5
Field of Study: 5822 - Civil Engineering
Module Delivered in: 1 programme(s)
Module Description: This module will explore the social, economic and environmental factors that influence sustainable housing requirements. It examines the planning and design of a sustainable home, the use of electrical and thermal energy and the
environmental impact of this energy usage. The module also examines the systems and services required to provide a sustainable home, including the provision of ventilation and insulation.
 
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module the learner will be able to:
# Learning Outcome Description
LO1 Explain and evaluate the social context of housing provision in Ireland.
LO2 Critically discuss the factors that influence house building and design.
LO3 Discuss, analyse and evaluate the SDGs and appropriate legislation to determine compliance requirements for domestic buildings including nearly zero energy buildings.
LO4 Evaluate the energy usage within a domestic setting (electricity, insulation, lighting, ventilation), including the use of fossil fuels and the impact of emissions.
LO5 Appraise potential sustainable energy and sustainable systems which may be incorporated into a domestic setting.
Dependencies
Module Recommendations

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is strongly recommended before enrolment in this module. You may enrol in this module if you have not acquired the recommended learning but you will have considerable difficulty in passing (i.e. achieving the learning outcomes of) the module. While the prior learning is expressed as named MTU module(s) it also allows for learning (in another module or modules) which is equivalent to the learning specified in the named module(s).
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. You may not earn additional credit for the same learning and therefore you may not enrol in this module if you have successfully completed any modules in the incompatible list.
No incompatible modules listed
Co-requisite Modules
No Co-requisite modules listed
Requirements

This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. You may not enrol on this module if you have not acquired the learning specified in this section.
No requirements listed
 
Indicative Content
Sustainable Development Goals
This module reviews the following UN-SGD: SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy - Through ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable energy in a domestic setting. SGD 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities - through the provisions of sustainable housing. SGD 12 Responsible Consumption and Production - through ensuring sustainable consumption of energy within a domestic setting.
Housing Provision
Variations in housing requirements, an evaluation of housing provision in Ireland, including social and affordable housing. The requirement of a sustainable development in an Irish context.
House Building and Design
Factors that influence the choice of location, house style, and design and construction of the house. National & European legislative environment, EPBD Recast, NZEB definitions, and the Technical Guidance Document (Part L).
Energy-Efficient Homes
Energy supplies to the home - identification and sources; sustainability of the energy sources; emissions produced as a result of burning fuels in the home; effects of emissions on the environment; identification of potential energy-inefficiencies in the home; strategies to improve energy-efficiency and reduce emissions. Renewable and sustainable energy including wind, biomass and solar.
Electricity
Household electricity supply; structure of the ring circuit; voltage, wattage, amperage, kilowatt-hour, tariffs and costings; electrical safety; fuses, circuit-breakers, earth wire.
Insulation
Underlying principles and methods. Heat transfer in building i.e. conduction, convection and radiation; specific and latent heat; thermal expansion; R-values and U-values; examples from building materials.
Lighting & Ventilation
Properties of light and ventilation; application of the properties of light and ventilation; energy-efficient lighting - underlying principles and uses; artificial lighting and day-lighting in houses, natural methods of ventilation; artificial methods of ventilation.
Module Content & Assessment
Assessment Breakdown%
Coursework100.00%

Assessments

Coursework
Assessment Type Project % of Total Mark 35
Timing Week 6 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3
Assessment Description
Research and critical evaluation of factors influencing sustainable housing provision and the principles of home design and construction.
Assessment Type Written Report % of Total Mark 35
Timing Week 10 Learning Outcomes 4,5
Assessment Description
Undertake an energy audit for a domestic household, and evaluate mitigation measures which could be introduced to reduce the environmental and financial impact of this energy usage. This report should include a reflective piece. Overall report approx. 1300 - 1600 words.
Assessment Type Short Answer Questions % of Total Mark 30
Timing Week 13 Learning Outcomes 1,2,3,4,5
Assessment Description
Covering all topics in the module
No End of Module Formal Examination
Reassessment Requirement
Coursework Only
This module is reassessed solely on the basis of re-submitted coursework. There is no repeat written examination.

The University reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment

 

Module Workload

Workload: Full Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Delivery of module content Every Week 2.00 2
Tutorial Contact Undertaking tutorial questions and directed researching coursework material Every Second Week 0.50 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Self directed revision of lecture material, preparation of reports and coursework Every Week 4.50 4.5
Total Hours 7.50
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 2.50
Workload: Part Time
Workload Type Contact Type Workload Description Frequency Average Weekly Learner Workload Hours
Lecture Contact Delivery of module content Every Week 2.00 2
Tutorial Contact Undertaking tutorial questions and directed researching of coursework material Every Second Week 0.50 1
Independent & Directed Learning (Non-contact) Non Contact Self directed revision of lecture material, preparation of reports and coursework Every Week 4.50 4.5
Total Hours 7.50
Total Weekly Learner Workload 7.00
Total Weekly Contact Hours 2.50
 
Module Resources
Recommended Book Resources
  • Randall McMullan. (2017), Environmental Science in Building, 8th. Red Globe Press, [ISBN: 9781137605450].
  • Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. (2019), Technical Guidance Document Part L: Conservation of Fuel and Energy - Dwellings, Government of Ireland.
Supplementary Book Resources
  • Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. (2018), Energy in the Residential Sector, SEAI.
  • Chris Magwood. (2017), Essential Sustainable Home Design: A Complete Guide to Goals, Options, and the Design Process, 5th. New Society Publishers, [ISBN: 9780865718500].
Recommended Article/Paper Resources
Other Resources
 
Module Delivered in
Programme Code Programme Semester Delivery
CR_FHOEC_8 Professional Diploma in Education - Home Economics 4 Mandatory