Residential Buildings Use-Phase Memory for Better Consumption Monitoring of Users and Design Improvement

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to present an innovative approach for the development of a methodology to systematically assess the economic performance and for the assessment of the economic sustainability of a building, through the calculation of an economic sustainability index, within the sustainability framework according to the rules defined in EN 16627. Design/methodology/approach The methodology follows the principle of modularity, where aspects and impacts that influence the economic performance of the building during the phases of its life cycle are assigned to levels. It presents a model based on the construction costs of the building. The methodology in centered in the before use phase and restricted to residential buildings. Findings Definition of a model for assessing the economic performance and calculation of an economic sustainability index. Research limitations/implications The methodology is focused only in the before use phase of the buildings, assuming they have the same functional equivalent. It can be expanded to include the other phases of the building life cycle. Practical implications The developed methodology will allow the selection of construction procedures, based on economic sustainability, contributing to more rational and support decisions. Social implications Contributing to a more sustainable society. Originality/value The European framework of EN 15643 and EN 16627 for the assessment of building sustainability is new and, as such, not implemented in most practical tools. Also, economic sustainability is not usually considered in detail in existing models. This paper presents a methodology following the framework and, simultaneously, possible to integrate in existing approaches.

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CONSIDERATION OF THE USE PHASE IN CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS FOR RESIDENTIAL GREEN BUILDING

Journal of Green Building ◽

10.3992/jgb.10.1.150 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 150-168 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mario Patenaude ◽

Sylvain Plouffe

Keyword(s):

Residential Buildings ◽

Green Building ◽

Building Industry ◽

Environmental Footprint ◽

Certification Programs ◽

Documentary Analysis ◽

Living Building Challenge ◽

Use Phase ◽

Materials Used ◽

Indoor And Outdoor

The building industry is associated with several environmental impacts. In considering the total building lifecycle, the use phase has a strong influence on the level of impact. According to the literature, the use phase of residential buildings represents up to 92% of energy consumption, constitutes 95% of water consumption (indoor and outdoor), accounts for 45% of the weight of materials used, and produces 50% of the waste (maintenance, repair, and renovation). Green building and certification programs used in North America, such as BOMA-BESt®, LEED®, and Living Building ChallengeTM, aim to reduce the environmental footprint of housing. However, while these certifications provide a useful framework for practices related to buildings and their systems, a documentary analysis shows that they do not adequately take into account the use phase of residential buildings. The purpose of this paper is to show that consideration of the use phase is inconsistent with the impacts associated with it.

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