|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Content Menu
| Speaker |
Medgar Marceau, PE, CSI, LEED AP, Morrison Hershfield |
| Date |
June 11 2010 |
| Event |
AIA 2010 National Convention |
| Host |
The American Institute of Architects |
| Location |
Miami FL | |
|
|
Page Content This presentation compares the thermal performance of building envelope wall systems to the life cycle environmental impact of the whole building. The thermal performance of the envelope is evaluated using whole building energy simulation to model heating and cooling loads and operating energy use. Using life cycle assessment (LCA), the life cycle environmental impacts associated with operating energy production, distribution and use is determined along with the life cycle environmental impact of building materials, construction, maintenance, transportation, demolition, and end-of life issues such as recycling and land filling. LCA is an analytical tool to quantify and interpret material and energy flows to and from the environment (including emissions to air, land, and water, and consumption of energy and material resources) over the entire life cycle of a product. By including the impacts throughout the product life cycle, LCA provides a comprehensive view of the environmental aspects of the product system and a more accurate picture of the environmental trade-offs in product selection. The basis of comparison is a hypothetical five-story commercial building in which five wall systems are compared: glass and aluminum curtain wall, brick and insulated steel stud, pre-cast concrete with insulated steel stud, insulated pre-cast concrete, and insulated pre-cast concrete with brick veneer. The thermal performance of the exterior envelope assemblies is based on ASHRAE 90.1-2007. Since life cycle impacts of operating energy use are very significant, the buildings are modeled in six cities representing a variety of climates in the US and Canada: Miami, Phoenix, Memphis, Vancouver, Denver, and Toronto.
Learning objectives:
- Identify the purpose for using life cycle assessment (LCA) and evaluate the limitations of using LCA and LCA software tools
- Compare the order-of-magnitude impact of the thermal performance of the building envelope on the full cycle impact of a building
- Recognize how LCA informs the design of sustainable buildings
- Recognize the importance of considering the full life cycle of a building, including the use phase (building energy use), when designing sustainable buildings
|
|
|
|
|
|