Short answer
Integrate energy efficiency considerations into every phase of the building design and construction process, from initial site selection and material sourcing to end-of-life planning.
- Field
- Sustainability
- Source
- InTech eBooks (2017)
- Method
- Literature Review
- Evidence
- Strong effect
Integrating energy-efficient strategies across all stages of a building's life cycle, from initial design to demolition and reuse, can significantly reduce its overall energy footprint. This sustainability research insight is drawn from a 2017 study published in InTech eBooks. Using Literature review, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Integrate energy efficiency considerations into every phase of the building design and construction process, from initial site selection and material sourcing to end-of-life planning.
Building Life Cycle Energy Consumption Can Be Reduced by 40%
Integrating energy-efficient strategies across all stages of a building's life cycle, from initial design to demolition and reuse, can significantly reduce its overall energy footprint.
InTech eBooks · 2017
Key Findings
- 01Buildings account for approximately 40% of global energy consumption.
- 02Energy is consumed at every stage of a building's life cycle.
- 03Significant reductions in energy consumption are achievable through targeted strategies at each life cycle stage.
Application
Design takeaway
Integrate energy efficiency considerations into every phase of the building design and construction process, from initial site selection and material sourcing to end-of-life planning.
How to apply
When designing or renovating buildings, conduct a life-cycle energy assessment to identify opportunities for energy reduction at each stage, from material sourcing to demolition and material recovery.
Project actions
- 01When researching a design problem, consider the entire lifespan of the product or system.
- 02Look for ways to reduce energy consumption not just during use, but also during manufacturing and disposal.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Comprehensive overview of energy consumption across the entire building life cycle.
- +Highlights the interconnectedness of design, construction, and operational phases with energy use.
Limitations
Quantifying the exact energy savings for each strategy across all building types can be complex and may require specialized software or detailed data not always readily available.
Reliability & validity
The reliability of this review depends on the quality and breadth of the literature it synthesizes. Validity is enhanced by its focus on a well-established concept (life cycle assessment) within building science.
Think critically
While this study emphasizes life-cycle energy efficiency, how might the initial investment costs of energy-efficient technologies impact their adoption, and what trade-offs exist between embodied energy and operational energy savings?
Design Principles
"Adopt a life-cycle assessment approach to energy consumption in building design."
Buildings are major global energy consumers, contributing substantially to environmental impact. By considering energy efficiency throughout the entire building lifecycle, designers and engineers can mitigate this impact, leading to more sustainable and responsible built environments.
What This Means for Your Design
Think about how much energy a building uses from the moment it's planned until it's taken down. You can save a lot of energy by making smart choices at every step.
How to use in your project
- 1.Use this research to justify the importance of considering life cycle impacts in your design project's evaluation criteria.
- 2.Cite this study when discussing the environmental impact of design choices beyond immediate functionality.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
Paragraph starter
This research highlights that buildings contribute significantly to global energy consumption, with energy being utilized throughout their entire life cycle. By implementing energy-efficient strategies across all stages, from initial design and material selection to construction, usage, and end-of-life processes like demolition and recycling, substantial reductions in overall energy demand can be achieved, underscoring the importance of a life-cycle perspective in sustainable design.
Source
InTech eBooks
Energy-Efficient Building Design in the Context of Building Life Cycle
journal · 2017
View sourceQuestions About This Research
- What does the research say about building life cycle energy consumption can be reduced by 40%?
- Integrate energy efficiency considerations into every phase of the building design and construction process, from initial site selection and material sourcing to end-of-life planning. Evidence: InTech eBooks (2017).
- Why does "Building Life Cycle Energy Consumption Can Be Reduced by 40%" matter for design?
- Buildings are major global energy consumers, contributing substantially to environmental impact. By considering energy efficiency throughout the entire building lifecycle, designers and engineers can mitigate this impact, leading to more sustainable and responsible built environments.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Integrate energy efficiency considerations into every phase of the building design and construction process, from initial site selection and material sourcing to end-of-life planning.
- What were the main findings?
- Buildings account for approximately 40% of global energy consumption.. Energy is consumed at every stage of a building's life cycle.. Significant reductions in energy consumption are achievable through targeted strategies at each life cycle stage.
- What research method was used?
- Literature Review.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2017 journal from InTech eBooks.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- When designing or renovating buildings, conduct a life-cycle energy assessment to identify opportunities for energy reduction at each stage, from material sourcing to demolition and material recovery.
- What are the limitations?
- The study is a review and does not present new empirical data or specific quantitative analysis for individual strategies.