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Leaving Cert Construction Studies: Low-energy & eco-friendly design

How often Low-energy & eco-friendly design comes up on the Construction Studies papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 9 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

OL Asked on 2 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2017.

June 2028 is the first exam on the new Construction Studies course. These come from the 2016–2025 papers, so read them as a guide.

Low-energy & eco-friendly design, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Low-energy & eco-friendly design.

(a)What is embodied energy in a material?
  1. Energy used to heat the house for a year
  2. Energy to extract, make, transport and install it
  3. Energy stored inside the insulation layer
(b)Main environmental benefit of locally sourced materials?
  1. They need no planning permission to use
  2. They are always cheaper than imported ones of the same kind
  3. Less transport energy and support for local jobs
(c)Insulation made from recycled newspaper?
  1. Cellulose
  2. PIR
  3. Mineral wool
Show the answers

(a) Energy to extract, make, transport and install it

(b) Less transport energy and support for local jobs

(c) Cellulose

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Low-energy & eco-friendly design.

Higher Level

Asked on 9 of the last 9 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2025. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Q6
2024Q6, Q10b
2023Q6
2022Q6
2021Q6
2019Q6, Q10b
2018Q6, Q10b
2017Q6
2016Q6

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Low-energy & eco-friendly design questions

Low-energy & eco-friendly design, 3 marks

Why is timber frame seen as a low-carbon form of construction?

  1. Timber needs no treatment or protection
  2. Timber is a good heat conductor
  3. Timber stores carbon absorbed as the tree grew
Show the answer

Timber stores carbon absorbed as the tree grew

Wood locks up carbon for the life of the building and takes little energy to process, unlike cement and steel.

Low-energy & eco-friendly design, 3 marks

Why is hemp-lime (hempcrete) seen as an eco-friendly wall material?

  1. It is fully waterproof and airtight on its own
  2. The hemp absorbs CO2 as it grows, and the wall breathes
  3. It is made from recycled plastic bound with lime
Show the answer

The hemp absorbs CO2 as it grows, and the wall breathes

Hemp grows fast, locking in carbon, and lime slowly reabsorbs CO2 as it sets. The wall insulates, stores heat and manages moisture, so it suits old buildings too.

Low-energy & eco-friendly design, 2 marks

One advantage of sheep's wool insulation?

  1. Natural, renewable and handles moisture well
  2. It has the lowest k-value of any insulation
  3. It needs no treatment against moths
Show the answer

Natural, renewable and handles moisture well

Wool absorbs and releases moisture without losing much performance and needs little energy to make. It is usually treated against moths, and PIR has a lower k.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 2 of the last 9 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2017.

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2025Not asked
2024Not asked
2023Not asked
2022Not asked
2021Not asked
2019Not asked
2018Not asked
2017Q4
2016Q9

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Low-energy & eco-friendly design questions

Low-energy & eco-friendly design, 2 marks

What is meant by the embodied energy of a material?

  1. Energy it saves once installed
  2. Energy stored in it as heat
  3. Energy used to make and transport it
Show the answer

Energy used to make and transport it

Making cement or steel uses a lot of energy; local timber uses little. Choosing low embodied-energy materials cuts a building's carbon footprint.

Low-energy & eco-friendly design, 3 marks

Why choose locally sourced building materials?

  1. They never need any maintenance
  2. Less transport means less fuel and pollution
  3. They are always stronger than imports
Show the answer

Less transport means less fuel and pollution

Trucking materials long distances burns fuel. Local stone or timber cuts carbon, supports local jobs and helps a house fit its area.

Low-energy & eco-friendly design, 2 marks

What is rainwater harvesting?

  1. Collecting roof rainwater for toilets and gardens
  2. Piping rain into the septic tank
  3. Drinking rainwater straight from the gutter
Show the answer

Collecting roof rainwater for toilets and gardens

Water from the roof is filtered into a tank and pumped to toilets, washing machines or garden taps. This cuts use of treated mains water.

Other Construction Studies topics

All of Leaving Cert Construction Studies