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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
E SD081.
Course Title (CB02)
Sustainable Building Assessments and Codes
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Course Description
This is an introductory course designed for students and employees seeking to learn more about green building and how it can benefit their company. Topics covered will include the triple bottom line of sustainability, current market trends in green building, the Building Energy Code (Title 24, part 6), the Appliance Code (Title 20), and the Green Building Code (Title 24, part 11). Includes modules on simulation tools that can be used for code compliance, analysis of the potential impact for specific Energy Efficiency and Demand Response measures, verification of energy savings efforts, and the process of greening existing energy portfolios.
Faculty Requirements
Discipline 1
[Building Codes and Regulations (Inspecting of construction, building codes, contractor training)]
Discipline 3
[Construction Technology]
FSA
[FHDA FSA - FACILITIES MAINTENANCE TECH]
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course prepares students for careers in advanced energy technology and managing energy-efficient buildings. This is a Career Technical Education (CTE) course that is part of the Energy Management and Building Science Certificate of Achievement. It is a CSU transferable. Students will understand and master the concepts of building, energy, and appliance sustainability codes and their impact on building design and facilities management. This course will provide students with the knowledge to design and manage facilities that meet Green Building codes and the policies and procedures associated with managing sustainable buildings.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
3.0
Maximum Credit Units
3.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours3.06.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
36.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
36.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
72.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
72.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

ESL D272. and ESL D273., or ESL D472. and ESL D473., or eligibility for EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

Methods of Instruction

Online Lecture Videos

Online Course Materials and Presentations

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

Exploration of Internet sites

Homework and extended writing and spreadsheet projects

Field observation and field trips

Guest Speakers

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Collaborative projects

Assignments

  1. Required reading assignments from text and other pertinent readings
  2. Writing assignments involving summary, synthesis and critical analysis of data and information
  3. Team or Individual project (including written summary) on an assigned topic
  4. One virtual team or individual assessment (project) that will require students to demonstrate the ability to summarize, integrate and critically analyze principles and concepts

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Completion of weekly assignments including an assessment to evaluate student comprehension of concepts and principles in energy and building efficiency codes and legislation and the impact on green house gas emissions and efficiency in commercial buildings
  2. Completion of team project including an assessment process to evaluate student comprehension of Energy modeling programs, energy efficiency standards in buildings, and Green Building Standards codes.
  3. One team assessment that will require students to demonstrate the ability to summarize, integrate and critically analyze all concepts and principles of energy building codes and their impact on energy production, cost reductions, energy consumption and green house gas emissions

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • An Internet Device with Word Processing and Spreadsheet capabilities
Essential College Facilities:
  • Kirsch Center for Environmental Studies (Special purpose facilities: sustainable building with sustainable materials, design, Energy management lab (KC239), PV (Photovoltaic/outdoor lab KC West), rooftop/building systems: solar thermal system, PV system, controls room & other equipment
  • Building Energy Modeling Software (such as EnergyPro 9 by EnergySoft) to analyze and assess building energy use profiles

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Roosa, Stephan A., Steve Doty and Wayne C. TurnerEnergy Management HandbookRiver Publishers2018, 9th ed.1138666071
Doty, Steve. "Commercial Energy Auditing Reference Handbook- 2nd Edition". Lilburn, Ga. The Fairmont Press. 2011Commercial Energy Auditing Reference HandbookRiver Publishers2016, 3rd. ed.1498769268
Brown, Edmund G Jr, Caballaro, Anna, Barthman, James2013 California Green Building Standards Code, Title 24, Part 11 (CALGREEN)International Code Council- California Building Standards Commission, Sacramento, CAFirst printing July 2013978-1-60983-462-3

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

None.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Examine California’s “2019-2030 Energy Efficiency Action Plan” goals and legislation to reduce energy consumption and green house gases
  • Explore the relationship of energy auditing and energy codes to building efficiency and sustainability
  • Examine and utilize building Energy Modeling Programs (BEMS) to audit and analyze energy use in buildings
  • Examine and understand building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24, part 6)
  • Explore and examine the Energy Appliance Efficiency Code (Title 20)
  • Examine the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) Title 24, part 11
  • Work with a Building Energy Modeling Programs to assess changes to a building's energy profile.

CSLOs

  • Describe the components of the Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24, Section 6), the Appliance Code (Title 20), and the Green Building Code (Title 24, Part 11), and the building simulation requirements of each.

  • Create a building model using a BEMS such as eQUEST, and employ that model to measure and evaluate various energy efficiency and demand response measures.

Outline

  1. Examine California’s “2019-2030 Energy Efficiency Action Plan” goals and legislation to reduce energy consumption and green house gases
    1. Promote energy efficiency- One of the 6 tasks of the California Energy Commission
    2. All California new residential construction zero net energy (ZNE)
    3. All Low income homes energy efficient
    4. All California new commercial construction zero net energy (ZNE) by 2030
    5. Electrical power systems, which can be made more efficient through
      1. Maintenance practices focused on identifying potential trouble areas such as loose electrical connections
      2. Selection of efficient equipment, such as transformers.
    6. Office equipment, which is becoming an ever-greater proportion of building loads.
    7. Water heating, which is a major fuel consumer in facilities with kitchens and laundries.
    8. Energy Management and Control Systems (EMCSs), which are critical in avoiding energy waste and monitoring energy consumption.
    9. Renewable energy applications, which supply "clean" power and can reduce peak power demand, saving facilities money.
  2. Explore the relationship of energy auditing and energy codes to building efficiency and sustainability
    1. Description of codes in general and how they affect construction projects
    2. General History of the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards
    3. Impacts of California Energy Code on construction projects
    4. Lower demand for petroleum field development
    5. Significant energy and dollar savings.
    6. High return on investments and quick payback
    7. New energy efficiency technologies.
    8. Total Quality Management.
    9. Creation of new jobs in the field of energy management.
    10. Improve the balance of payments by reducing cost of imported energy.
    11. Minimize the effects of a potential limited energy supply interruption.
  3. Examine and utilize building Energy Modeling Programs (BEMS) to audit and analyze energy use in buildings
    1. Easy way to predict energy usage of a building and optimize energy consuming aspects
    2. Required to meet some regulations in Title 24
    3. Controlling and metering only the main energy function.
    4. Putting the major effect of an energy management program into installing controls and achieving results.
  4. Examine and understand building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24, part 6)
    1. History and context
    2. Versions and Accomplishments
    3. Title 24 part 6 implementation
    4. Compliance with Title 24
  5. Explore and examine the Energy Appliance Efficiency Code (Title 20)
    1. History and context
    2. Versions and Accomplishments
    3. Title 20 implementation
    4. Title 20 compliance
  6. Examine the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) Title 24, part 11
    1. History
    2. Goals
    3. Versions and Accomplishments
    4. Title 24, part 11 implementation
    5. Includes two voluntary tiers that may be adopted via local amendment
    6. Title 24, part 11 compliance
  7. Work with a Building Energy Modeling Programs to assess changes to a building's energy profile.
    1. History
    2. Description
    3. REScheck
    4. EnergyPro
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