Energy and economic implications of buildings and construction

• The building and construction sectors account for a large share ofthe global total primary energy use, which is currently dominated byfossil and non-renewable fuels. The sectors are expected to play a majorrole in the transition to a sustainable society with low-energy intensity.Energy is used during the life cycle of buildings for materialsmanufacture, transport, construction, operation, maintenance anddemolition. A wide range of resources, from forest-based materials suchas timber and bamboo to ore-based materials such as steel and concreteare used for building and construction projects. Energy is used forvarious building operation activities, including for space heating and cooling, tap water heating, and lighting and appliances. Materials andenergy resources use are associated with significant environmentalimpacts including atmospheric, solid and waterborne emissions. Thereis growing emphasis on strategies to reduce energy use and therebymitigate climate change. This chapter looks at the energy and economicimplications of buildings and construction products, adopting a lifecycle perspective. It examines the implications of different constructionmaterials, design strategies and thermal envelope improvementmeasures for energy, climate and economic performances of buildings.The implications of building renovation and post-use building materialsmanagement strategies are discussed. Case studies and analyses fromdifferent regions and climates are explored to demonstrate theimplications of different choices and decisions.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Samhällsbyggnadsteknik -- Husbyggnad (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Civil Engineering -- Building Technologies (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Naturresursteknik -- Energisystem (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Environmental Engineering -- Energy Systems (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Sustainable Built Environment

Hållbar byggd miljö

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

kap (subject category)