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      A COMPARATIVE LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS OF NEAR-ZERO ENERGY BUILDINGS WITH A FOCUS ON ENVELOPE INSULATION

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          Abstract

          ABSTRACT

          Near-zero energy buildings are known to have the potential to reduce energy consumption and consequent emissions. This article uses a life cycle analysis approach to evaluate the effects of using different insulating materials on the lifetime energy consumption of a near zero conditioning energy case study house in Wellington, New Zealand, by assessing the environmental impacts of a number of insulation options. The question addressed is whether using thick layers of insulation with high R-values in a building envelope is always a reliable approach to mitigating the impact of the built environment on the planet. The results show no significant difference between the environmental impacts of insulating the house using polyurethane and using no insulation in the first 28 years. The further discussion shows the energy profile used for processing the materials, construction and operating the buildings are not always the same, and this has a significant impact on the building’s environmental footprint. There needs to be a balance between both the value and profile of building operating and embodied energy.

          HIGHLIGHTS
          • Embodied and operating energy should be balanced based on the energy profile.

          • The energy source should be considered alongside the predicted energy use.

          • Higher R-values do not always lead to lower life-cycle energy use.

          • Using high levels of insulation may not be the best approach in all situations.

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          Most cited references60

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          Life cycle energy analysis of buildings: An overview

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            Zero Energy Building – A review of definitions and calculation methodologies

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              Is Open Access

              A review of unconventional sustainable building insulation materials

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                Author and article information

                Journal
                jgrb
                jgrb
                College Publishing
                College Publishing
                Journal of Green Building
                College Publishing
                1943-4618
                1552-6100
                Winter 2022
                25 March 2022
                : 17
                : 1
                : 225-245
                Author notes

                1. Kermanshah ACECR Institute of Higher Education, Department of Architecture, Kermanshah, Iran

                2. School of Architecture, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand

                3. School of Architecture, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand

                Corresponding author: Milad Moradibistouni Email: Milad.bistouni@ 123456outlook.com ; Phone: +642102323497-+989188335358; Address: Kermanshah ACECR Institute of Higher Education, Department of Architecture, Kermanshah, Iran.
                Article
                jgb.17.1.225
                10.3992/jgb.17.1.225
                9620eaac-906e-4cd7-9d4b-bea6eb5b027f
                History
                Page count
                Pages: 21
                Categories
                RESEARCH ARTICLES

                Urban design & Planning,Civil engineering,Environmental management, Policy & Planning,Architecture,Environmental engineering
                Life cycle analysis,Sustainable built environment,Carbon footprint,Zero-energy buildings,Energy profile

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