Measurement Science for High Performance Building Systems

Catalog description

This course provides students with hands-on experience in the measurement of building energy performance, thermal comfort, and indoor air quality. Students learn standardized test methods and instrumentation for field investigation of building system performance. Using the measurement data from real buildings (both commercial and residential), students will be able to critically evaluate performance of building HVAC systems, building envelopes, and environmental quality in occupied spaces. Students will also learn how to renovate building systems based on field monitoring data. By the end of the course, students will be able to apply fundamental building science principles to measure mass and energy flow in buildings; leverage instrumentation and standardized test methods for high performance buildings; assess measurement science, uncertainty, and quality control associated with field measurements; and critique energy performance and indoor environmental quality of a building using field measurements and data analysis. The topics in this course provide a foundation for engineering students on the design of net-zero energy and high-performance buildings that address energy savings, occupant comfort, productivity, and health.