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.

Krogmann, UtaRutgers University (author)
Wallbaum, Holger,1967Chalmers tekniska högskola,Chalmers University of Technology(Swepub:cth)wallbaum (author)
Ostermeyer, York,1976Chalmers tekniska högskola,Chalmers University of Technology(Swepub:cth)york (author)
Senick, Jennifer S.Rutgers University (author)
Andrews, Clinton J.Rutgers University (author)
Rutgers UniversityChalmers tekniska högskola (creator_code:org_t)

By the author/editor: Mosteiro-Romero, ...; Krogmann, Uta; Wallbaum, Holger ...; Ostermeyer, York ...; Senick, Jennifer ...; Andrews, Clinton ...

About the subject

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY: ENGINEERING AND ...; and Civil Engineerin ...; and Architectural En ...

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY: ENGINEERING AND ...; and Environmental En ...; and Other Environmen ...

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY: ENGINEERING AND ...; and Environmental En ...; and Environmental Ma ...

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY: ENGINEERING AND ...; and Environmental En ...; and Energy Systems

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY: ENGINEERING AND ...; and Civil Engineerin ...; and Building Technol ...

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