Life-cycle operational and embodied energy for a generic single-storey office building in the UK

Yohanis, Yigzaw G.; Norton, Brian

doi:10.1016/s0360-5442(01)00061-5

Cited by 162 publications

(65 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Since the embodied energy in the production phase of the building of this case of study is of 5.78 GJ/m 2 total built area, it can be concluded that the analyzed building would be approximately in half of the previous range. Several studies from the life cycle perspective have been made in order to find out the proportion of embodied energy in the materials of construction [40], usually getting a wide range of results depending on climatic conditions and the design of the building. For example, this ratio can vary between 9% and 46% of the total energy demand in the life of the building, in the case of buildings with low energy consumption, considering these buildings located in countries with different climatic conditions.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of LCA as a Tool for Building Ecodesign. A Case Study of a Low Energy Building in Spain

et al. 2013

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This paper demonstrates how to achieve energy savings in the construction and operation of buildings by promoting the use of life cycle assessment techniques in the design for new buildings and for refurbishment. The paper aims to draw on the application of a specific methodology for low energy consumption, integrated planning, environmental performance evaluation of buildings, and design for sustainability and LCA techniques applied to buildings. The ENergy Saving through promotion of LIfe Cycle assessment in buildings (ENSLIC) methodology based on LCA for use in an integral planning process has been promoted to stakeholders who require a means to optimize the environmental performance of buildings. Feedback from the stakeholders has facilitated the creation of simplified LCA guidelines, a systematic approach guiding the user through the alternative options regarding software choices, their strengths and weaknesses, the databases available, the usefulness of different indicators, aggregation, definition of limits and options for simplifying the process. As a result, this paper presents the applied results of a case study where this methodology is implemented serving as an energy savings evaluation tool for decision makers, end-users, professionals involved in the different stages of construction, etc. Finally, it is demonstrated how LCA can facilitate comparisons between different buildings, showing the influence of all variables on a building's life cycle environmental impact and showing the potential for energy savings. Removing market barriers to sustainable construction is actually stricter and this is good news for promoting higher energy efficiency in buildings.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of LCA as a Tool for Building Ecodesign. A Case Study of a Low Energy Building in Spain

et al. 2013

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“…According to Cole and Kernan (1996) as well as Yohanis and Norton (2002), the recurring embodied energy for buildings with a short lifespan tends to be less than the initial embodied energy in construction; yet for buildings with life spans up to 100 years, this embodied energy can be 2 3 times greater than the impacts of the construction phase. Figure 7 illustrates the typical embodied and operational energy costs for an office that has been involved in three major refurbishments at 25 years, 50 years and 100 years into its buildings lifecycle, according to estimations by Yohanis and Norton (2002). As shown, operational energy steadily accumulates throughout the lifecycle of a building, whereas the embodied energy builds up in increasingly energy intensive phases.…”

Section: Environmental Impact Of Refurbishmentsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Domestic UK retrofit challenge: Barriers, incentives and current performance leading into the Green Deal

et al. 2012

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This paper reviews the thermal performance of the existing UK housing stock, the main fabric efficiency incentive schemes and the barriers to obtaining deep energy and CO 2 savings throughout the stock. The UK faces a major challenge to improve the thermal performance of its existing housing stock. Millions of dwellings possess 'hard to treat' solid walls and have glazing which is not cost effective to improve. A range of fabric efficiency incentive schemes exist, but many do not target the full range of private and social housing. From now on, the Green Deal will be the UK's key energy efficiency policy. However, the scheme is forecasted to have low consumer appeal and low incentives for investors. Moreover, calculated Green Deal loan repayments will be reliant upon estimated energy savings, yet it is claimed that retrofit measures may only be half as effective as anticipated due to a lack of monitoring, poor quality installation and the increased use of heating following refurbishment. Looking to Germany, there has been success through the Passivhaus standard, but the UK currently lacks appropriate skills and cost effective components to replicate this approach. In addition, the embodied energy in retrofit products and materials threatens to counter operational savings.

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“…Some studies have concluded that embodied energy for conventional buildings accounts for 10%-38% of the total energy in a building's life cycle [2,18,23,26]. Embodied energy has a higher relative percentage in low-energy buildings, one study finding 9%-46% of a buildings total life cycle energy, than in conventional buildings, an important realization for moving forward with green building analyses [2,18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Materials Life Cycle Assessment of a Net-Zero Energy Building

et al. 2013

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This study analyzed the environmental impacts of the materials phase of a net-zero energy building. The Center for Sustainable Landscapes (CSL) is a three-story, 24,350 square foot educational, research, and administrative office in Pittsburgh, PA, USA. This net-zero energy building is designed to meet Living Building Challenge criteria. The largest environmental impacts from the production of building materials is from concrete, structural steel, photovoltaic (PV) panels, inverters, and gravel. Comparing the LCA results of the CSL to standard commercial structures reveals a 10% larger global warming potential and a nearly equal embodied energy per square feet, largely due to the CSL's PV system. As a net-zero energy building, the environmental impacts associated with the use phase are expected to be very low relative to standard structures. Future studies will incorporate the construction and use phases of the CSL for a more comprehensive life cycle perspective.

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Life-cycle operational and embodied energy for a generic single-storey office building in the UK

Cited by 162 publications

References 5 publications

Use of LCA as a Tool for Building Ecodesign. A Case Study of a Low Energy Building in Spain

Use of LCA as a Tool for Building Ecodesign. A Case Study of a Low Energy Building in Spain

Domestic UK retrofit challenge: Barriers, incentives and current performance leading into the Green Deal

A Materials Life Cycle Assessment of a Net-Zero Energy Building

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