Complex Assessment of Resource-Saving Solutions Efficiency for Residential Buildings Based on Sustainability Theory

2018 ◽  
Vol 931 ◽  
pp. 870-876 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svetlana G. Sheina ◽  
Evgenia N. Minenko ◽  
Katarina S. Sakovskaya

This article addresses the issue of energy efficiency in the housing stock of Russian cities. It suggests that the improvement of energy and resource use in the residential houses during their life cycle will promote the transition of Russian cities on the way to sustainable future. The authors of the article present the new assessment method of efficiency the resource saving solutions in the housing stock. This method is based on evaluation of the ecological, environmental and economic effects of realization the resource saving solutions in residential buildings, taking into account the building’s life cycle cost. For this purpose, the authors suggest to use the integrated indicator of sustainability, achieved by the building, through the implementation of different resource saving solutions. The article provides the example of application of the proposed method for selecting the optimal resource saving measures among some different variants planned for realization during the overhaul of the building located in Rostov-on-Don.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Milad Moradibistouni

<p>Problem statement: The demographics of New Zealand are changing and the country is getting older. The literature shows the housing needs of older people are different, and that many would prefer to stay in their existing neighbourhood and age in place. In addition to the shortage of houses, low residential densities, the fast growth of land and house costs over income, and an aging population are all current issues in New Zealand housing. Projections also show the shortage of energy resources and environmental pollution will affect the future of housing, as the housing industry is responsible for over one-third of global energy use and CO₂ emissions.  Aim of the research: This thesis aims to design and evaluate the practicality and efficiency of a prefabricated Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) as a partial response to New Zealand housing needs. Prefabrication was selected as the method of construction as it has been claimed to be more efficient in terms of energy and material use, as well as leading to a shorter construction time and lower environmental impacts. The use of ADUs could increase residential density and add to the housing stock by using existing developed land and infrastructure. ADUs also offer smaller houses within the existing social context, which the literature suggests is the main housing requirement of older people. As a result, the ADU in this research was designed to suit older residents, whilst recognising that it would also be suitable for small households of all ages.  Methodology: This research used design as a tool with which to explore the potential of prefabricated ADUs as a contribution to New Zealand housing needs. The design was then tested against housing needs by using Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). This part of the research was conducted in the three phases of life-cycle energy, life-cycle cost, and life cycle CO₂ emissions of the ADU as designed.  Results: While the transport limitations pushed the design to be narrow (the maximum allowed load width was 2.55m), the Lifemark accessibility standard asked for doors, corridors, and spaces wide enough to ease the movement of disabled people. Despite these difficulties, it was possible to design an ADU which could be manufactured in New Zealand and transported anywhere in the country without any need for over-dimension load permissions. However, the analysis in the last phase, looking at the ADU during its life span, showed there was no substantial difference between its performance and that traditionally made houses. The results of the analysis suggest that, despite the importance of the construction method, the building energy efficiency, CO₂ emissions and cost, the environmental impact of a house is more dependent on the choice of materials than the method of making it.  Future research: The results suggest the importance of further investigation into the choice of materials used to make residential buildings and the effect such choices have on life-cycle impact. There is also a need to seek feedback on the ADU as designed from both potential users and potential manufacturers.</p>


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Milad Moradibistouni

<p>Problem statement: The demographics of New Zealand are changing and the country is getting older. The literature shows the housing needs of older people are different, and that many would prefer to stay in their existing neighbourhood and age in place. In addition to the shortage of houses, low residential densities, the fast growth of land and house costs over income, and an aging population are all current issues in New Zealand housing. Projections also show the shortage of energy resources and environmental pollution will affect the future of housing, as the housing industry is responsible for over one-third of global energy use and CO₂ emissions.  Aim of the research: This thesis aims to design and evaluate the practicality and efficiency of a prefabricated Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) as a partial response to New Zealand housing needs. Prefabrication was selected as the method of construction as it has been claimed to be more efficient in terms of energy and material use, as well as leading to a shorter construction time and lower environmental impacts. The use of ADUs could increase residential density and add to the housing stock by using existing developed land and infrastructure. ADUs also offer smaller houses within the existing social context, which the literature suggests is the main housing requirement of older people. As a result, the ADU in this research was designed to suit older residents, whilst recognising that it would also be suitable for small households of all ages.  Methodology: This research used design as a tool with which to explore the potential of prefabricated ADUs as a contribution to New Zealand housing needs. The design was then tested against housing needs by using Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). This part of the research was conducted in the three phases of life-cycle energy, life-cycle cost, and life cycle CO₂ emissions of the ADU as designed.  Results: While the transport limitations pushed the design to be narrow (the maximum allowed load width was 2.55m), the Lifemark accessibility standard asked for doors, corridors, and spaces wide enough to ease the movement of disabled people. Despite these difficulties, it was possible to design an ADU which could be manufactured in New Zealand and transported anywhere in the country without any need for over-dimension load permissions. However, the analysis in the last phase, looking at the ADU during its life span, showed there was no substantial difference between its performance and that traditionally made houses. The results of the analysis suggest that, despite the importance of the construction method, the building energy efficiency, CO₂ emissions and cost, the environmental impact of a house is more dependent on the choice of materials than the method of making it.  Future research: The results suggest the importance of further investigation into the choice of materials used to make residential buildings and the effect such choices have on life-cycle impact. There is also a need to seek feedback on the ADU as designed from both potential users and potential manufacturers.</p>


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 2100-2115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Antony ◽  
Rainer Grießhammer ◽  
Thomas Speck ◽  
Olga Speck

Background: The debate on the question whether biomimetics has a specific potential to contribute to sustainability is discussed among scientists, business leaders, politicians and those responsible for project funding. The objective of this paper is to contribute to this controversial debate by presenting the sustainability assessment of one of the most well-known and most successful biomimetic products: the façade paint Lotusan®. Results: As a first step it has been examined and verified that the façade paint Lotusan® is correctly defined as a biomimetic product. Secondly, Lotusan® has been assessed and compared to a conventional façade paint within the course of a detailed product sustainability assessment (PROSA). For purposes of comparison, the façade paint Jumbosil® was chosen as reference for a conventional paint available on the market. The benefit analysis showed that both paints fulfil equally well the requirements of functional utility. With respect to the symbolic utility, Lotusan® has a particular added aesthetic value by the preservation of the optical quality over the life cycle. Within the social analysis no substantial differences between the two paints could be found regarding the handling and disposal of the final products. Regarding the life-cycle cost, Lotusan® is the more expensive product. However, the higher investment cost for a Lotusan®-based façade painting are more than compensated by the longer life time, resulting in both reduced overall material demand and lower labour cost. In terms of the life-cycle impact assessment, it can be ascertained that substantial differences between the paints arise from the respective service life, which are presented in terms of four scenario analyses. Conclusion: In summary, the biomimetic façade paint Lotusan® has been identified as a cost-effective and at the same time resource-saving product. Based on the underlying data and assumptions it could be demonstrated that Lotusan®-based façade paintings have a comparatively low overall impact on the environment. Summarizing our results, it can be emphasized that Lotusan® is the more favourable product compared to Jumbosil® according to sustainability aspects.


Vestnik MGSU ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 751-769
Author(s):  
Olga V. Bakhareva ◽  
Liliya I. Azhimova ◽  
Alberto Celani ◽  
Nicolai S. Bolshakov

Introduction. The transformation of the economic space of the regions based on digitalization and the use of intelligent technologies in the housing sector gives rise to aesthetic technical problems. When implementing spontaneous investment projects to improve the energy efficiency of the old housing stock of cities, including historical and cultural monuments, as well as buildings that form historical buildings, technical and aesthetic consequences arise. The aim of the article is to study the implemented investment projects to improve the energy efficiency of residential buildings on the adjacent territory of the border of the historical settlement of regional significance in the city of Kazan. Materials and methods. Full-scale inspection, photographic recording of the results of implemented investment projects to improve the energy efficiency of multi-apartment residential buildings of the housing stock on the adjacent territory of the border of the historical settlement of the city of Kazan. Results. As a result, a classification was drawn up of the types of interventions of the operating company, which significantly change the historical facades, change the single architectural and historical appearance of the street ensemble and generate negative externalities. Taking into account the prospects for growth in demand in the market for improving the energy efficiency of buildings of old housing stock, in order to maximize public welfare, it is proposed to consider the mechanism of state intervention to protect the architectural and historical environment of the city as a patronized good on the basis of state policy to create favorable conditions for the introduction of innovations in the housing sector in the form of institute of public guardianship. Conclusions. The institute of public guardianship will allow to preserve the artistic architectural ensembles of the city throughout the life cycle, to fight against parasitic architecture, to obtain an economic effect: to ensure low energy consumption in residential buildings of the old housing stock of cities, an increase in the value of real estate and the profitability of investment projects for the restoration, reconstruction and reconstruction of buildings in the historical part cities.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 11682
Author(s):  
Martin Nwodo ◽  
Chimay Anumba

The relevance of exergy to the life cycle assessment (LCA) of buildings has been studied regarding its potential to solve certain challenges in LCA, such as the characterization and valuation, accuracy of resource use, and interpretation and comparison of results. However, this potential has not been properly investigated using case studies. This study develops an exergy-based LCA method and applies it to three case-study buildings to explore its benefits. The results provide evidence that the theoretical benefits of exergy-based LCA as against a conventional LCA can be achieved. These include characterization and valuation benefits, accuracy, and enabling the comparison of environmental impacts. With the results of the exergy-based LCA method in standard metrics, there is now a mechanism for the competitive benchmarking of building sustainability assessments. It is concluded that the exergy-based life cycle assessment method has the potential to solve the characterization and valuation problems in the conventional life-cycle assessment of buildings, with local and global significance.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document