Reducing Life Cycle Embodied Energy of Residential Buildings: Importance of Building and Material Service Life

Energy use in the building sector is considered among major contributors of greenhouse gas emissions and related environmental impacts. While striving to reduce energy consumption from this sector, it important avoid burden shifting one life cycle stage another; thus, requires a good understanding across cycle. The literature shows greater emphasis on operational reduction but less embodied energy, although both have clear impact building’s footprint associated impact. In previous studies importance these aspects been presented; however, critical role linked replacement materials over not well documented. Therefore, there knowledge gap available about ways requirements buildings their useful life. Service constituent may play an regard. However, potential respect explored research. This study critically addresses above-mentioned gaps by investigating combined effect material service residential buildings. Life case house for assessment period 150 years was calculated based minimum, average maximum values 50, 100 years. A comprehensive input–output hybrid analysis bill quantities used initial recurrent calculation each scenario. variations shown result demand order up 61%. provides quantifiable verifiable data that considerations designing, constructing, managing efforts secondary contribution paper detailed sensitivity which carried out varying energies new scenario recalculated two periods. findings show that, variation, LCEE increases as BSL 50-year period, decreases 150-year period.