Combined Environmental and Economic Assessment of Energy Efficiency Measures in a Multi-Dwelling Building

Abstract

The aim of this study is to assess how different renovation scenarios affect the environmental and economic impacts of a multi-dwelling building in a Nordic climate, how these aspects are correlated and how different energy carriers affect different environmental impact categories. In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the European Union has set an agenda in order to reduce energy use in buildings. New buildings on the European market have a low replacement rate, which makes building renovation an important factor for achieving the European Union goals. In this study, eight renovation strategies were analyzed following the European Committee for Standardization standards for life cycle assessment and life cycle costs of buildings. This study covers all life cycle steps from cradle to grave. The renovation scenarios include combinations of photovoltaics, geothermal heat pumps, heat recovery ventilation and improved building envelopes. Results show that, depending on the energy carrier, reductions in global warming potential can be achieved at the expense of an increased nuclear waste disposal. It also shows that for the investigated renovation strategies in Sweden there is no correlation between the economic and the environmental performance of the building. Changing energy carriers in Sweden in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions can be a good alternative, but it makes the system more dependent on nuclear power.

Indoor thermal climate after energy efficiency measures of a residential building in a sub-Arctic region: Comparing ANSYS CFX and IDA ICE methods

“…5 These measures, along with others, have been explored from both an energy point of view, life cycle cost and energy and their impacts on the environment. [6][7][8][9][10][11] However, adjusting the building envelope, heating and ventilation systems will alter the Division of Energy Science, Department of Engineering Science and Mathematics, Lulea ˚University of Technology, Lulea ˚, Sweden indoor thermal climate. Studies have also detected changes in the thermal climate after renovation 5,12 which could have a negative impact on occupants, for example by causing overheating, 4 which can lead to a rebound effect.…”

Life Cycle Cost Analysis of a Single-Family House in Sweden

“…In the study by Bartlett et al [12], it is justified that consideration of total LCC with the environmental impact of buildings leads to a sustainable and beneficial outcome for both the environment and business in the long term, making savings from energy use that can return capital investment while creating long-term returns. However, Ramírez-Villegas et al [13] presented various renovation strategies for a multifamily building in Sweden and stated in their findings that there is no significant relationship between costs and emissions.…”

Cost-Optimal Plus Energy Building in a Cold Climate

“…This is especially important when aiming towards the 100% share of the renewable system in the future. To reach the plus energy standard a combination of photovoltaics, heat pumps, balanced ventilation with heat recovery and improved building envelopes is needed [9]. Therefore, a whole design process is to be optimized from the architectural and economic perspective [10].…”