Relative importance of electricity sources and construction practices in residential buildings: A Swiss-US comparison of energy related life-cycle impacts

• Comparisons of buildings in similar climates built in accordance with different regional constructionpractices and building rating systems can provide useful insights in sustainable design practices. Theobjectives of this study were: (1) to perform energy related life cycle assessments of a typical LEED-H(Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for Homes) single-family home in New Jersey (US), and atypical Minergie-P single-family home in Chur, Switzerland; and (2) to assess the effect of rating systemsand construction practices on the buildings’ environmental impacts. Inventory data was obtained fromthe Ecoinvent 2.2 database with a replacement of the Western European electricity mix with the US orNew Jersey electricity mix for the New Jersey home. The Swiss building performed better regarding nonrenewableenergy consumption, Global Warming Potential and Acidification Potential mainly due to thegeothermal heat pump and the Swiss electricity mix while there was less of a difference regarding OzoneLayer Depletion Potential and Eutrophication Potential. The influence of electricity sources exceeded theeffects of longer building life time or the removal of the Swiss basement. Regional building practices, localcodes and environmental policies should take the electricity mix into account because it is so important.

Ämnesord

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

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Civil Engineering -- Architectural Engineering (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Naturresursteknik -- Annan naturresursteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Environmental Engineering -- Other Environmental Engineering (hsv//eng)

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

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Environmental Engineering -- Environmental Management (hsv//eng)

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

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

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

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

Nyckelord

Energy-related impacts

Residential buildings

Life cycle assessment

Building rating systems

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