Process of the Project

At the beginning of the semester, the PIs placed students in teams of 5-7. Each team visited a site to prepare for the energy assessment; they discussed project goals, energy testing procedures, and strategies with the homeowner/caretaker.

The PIs provided lectures detailing energy inspection procedures, essential aspects of an energy assessment, and analytical skills required to analyze the energy efficiency in single- and/or multi-family homes. Students learned various methods to test the homes’ energy efficiency during the lecture hours and discuss how they can use the methods for their energy assessment.

During the on-site visit, students used the energy assessment methods learned during the lecture hours to conduct the various energy assessments.

Students will present the results of the four energy assessments to ecoREHAB and homeowners/caretakers at the end of the semester. In addition, students will actively participate in a virtual conference to present their results of energy assessment and have a chance to discuss their results with the experts. At the conclusion of this project, students will have mastered a variety of specific technical knowledge and hands-on implementation techniques, e.g.:

An energy efficiency software package (Ekotrope, EnergyGauge, or REM/Rate) that performs a residential energy analysis
An airtightness test that measures leakage in ambient conditions in a residential setting
A building heating and cooling test that measures supply and return airflow of ducted space
A domestic hot water test that measures components of a residential hot water system
A ventilation test that measures airflow through ventilation systems, whether central or individual
A duct test that measures total duct leakage and leakage to the outside
Determining an energy efficiency index that informs each home’s energy analysis report.

This pilot immersive learning project will prepare the ground for the development of a recurring annual course offering for students in the Department of Construction Management and Interior Design, helping the PIs to develop and enhance the course content based on the assessments’ technical results, student learning assessments, student feedback, and feedback from ecoREHAB. The project also will enable participating students to develop new technical knowledge, improve their ability to work successfully with institutional and individual clients in a professional manner, improve study and work habits, and broaden their knowledge and experience to compete in a future job market.