CEM450: Energy in Buildings

Module code: CEM450

Module provider: School of Construction Management and Engineering, School of Built Environment

Credits: 20

Level: 7

When you’ll be taught: Semester 2

Module convenor: Dr Mehdi Shahrestani , email: m.shahrestani@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s):

Co-requisite module(s):

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded:

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2025/6

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: No

Last updated: 11 April 2025

Overview

Module aims and purpose

The aim of this module is to provide a broad understanding of the extent of energy consumption in buildings, its patterns, and profiles as well as to introduce the concept of building energy performance assessment. Students will also learn about the policies and socio-technical issues relating to building energy systems and they will develop an understanding and skills required to critically analyse different approaches toward reducing energy consumption and energy-related CO2 emissions in buildings. In addition, this module introduces the theory of heat transfer.Ìý

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:Ìý

1. Understand energy demand and load profiles, policies, and socio-technical issues relating to building energy systems,Ìý

2. Describe and compare the main categories of Heating, Ventilation, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC&R) systems,Ìý

3. Analyse the energy performance of energy and environmental systems in buildings,Ìý

4. Analyse the heat transfer through the building fabric,Ìý

Module content

This module is structured to be delivered in block week sessions.. Contents of this module include:ÌýÌý

• Introduction to energy in BuildingsÌý
• Energy performance assessmentÌý
• Heat transfer theory and applicationÌýÌý
• Energy policy and social issuesÌý
• Combined Heat and Power (CHP) in buildingsÌý
• Intelligent buildings, concept, and applicationÌýÌý
• Sustainable energy technologiesÌýÌý
• Domestic energy demand and supply load profileÌý
• Heating ventilation and air conditioning systemsÌý

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

This module is to be delivered through a series of lectures and seminars.Ìý Students will be offered an opportunity to consolidate their knowledge and understanding gained in this module by visiting the latest building sustainable technologies. Both in-person sessions and digital methods are used in this module to introduce the concepts and theories relevant to energy in buildings as well as to demonstrate their applications.ÌýÌý

Study hours

At least 25 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 50% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The below information applies to all full time and flexible modular students on taught PGT programmes in SBE.Ìý
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:Ìý

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;Ìý

• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.Ìý

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission which applies to all full time and flexible modular PGT students in SBE can be found at: /cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdfÌý

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.Ìý

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Practice questions will be provided in the tutorial sessions in order to provide students with an opportunity to test their understanding of the topics discussed in lectures and prepare students for summative assessments.Ìý

Reassessment

Additional costs