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- Title
Saving Energy versus Saving Materials.
- Authors
Nishioka, Yurika; Yanagisawa, Yukio; Spengler, John D.
- Abstract
To reduce energy consumption and carbon dioxide (CO[sub 2]) emissions in housing construction, the energy-intensive processes and life-cycle stages should be identified and integrated.The environmental impact of vertically integrated factory-built homes (VIHs) constructed with increased material inputs in Japan's northern island of Hokkaido was assessed using life-cycle inventory (LCI) analysis methods. Manufacturing process energy and CO[sub 2] intensities of the homes were evaluated based on the material inputs.They were compared with those of a counterpart home hypothetically built using the vertically integrated construction methods, but in accordance with the specifications of a less material-intensive conventional home (CH) in Hokkaido today. Cumulative household energy consumption and CO[sub 2] emissions were evaluated and compared with those of the production stages. The annual household energy consumption was compared among a VIH, a CH, and an average home in Hokkaido. The energy intensity of the VIH was 3.9 GJ production energy per m2 of floor area, 59% higher than that of the CH. Net CO[sub 2] emissions during VIH manufacturing processes were 293 kg/m[sup 2], after discounting the carbon fixation during tree growth. The cumulative use-phase household energy consumption and CO[sub 2] emissions of a VIH will exceed energy consumption and CO[sub 2] emissions during the initial production stage in less than six years. Although VIHs housed 21% more residents on average, the energy consumption per m[sup 2] was 17% lower than that of a CH. This may indicate that using more materials initially can lead to better energy efficiency.
- Subjects
JAPAN; ECOLOGICAL houses; HOUSE construction &; the environment; ENVIRONMENTAL impact analysis; CARBON dioxide &; the environment; HOUSING &; the environment
- Publication
Journal of Industrial Ecology, 2000, Vol 4, Issue 1, p119
- ISSN
1088-1980
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1162/108819800569212