Analysis of the Environmental Impact in the Life Cycle of a Single-Family House in Poland

Krzysztof Grygierek,Joanna Ferdyn-Grygierek

doi:10.3390/atmos13020245

Krzysztof Grygierek, Joanna Ferdyn-Grygierek

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos13020245

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Journal: Atmosphere	Publication Date: Jan 31, 2022
Citations: 7	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Silesian University of Technology

Abstract

Buildings consume energy, which is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. In order to reduce their environmental impact, it is important to choose suitable building materials and energy source. The paper presents the results of a multi-variant analysis of five environmental impact categories (global warming potential, acidification, eutrophication, ozone layer depletion, and total use of primary energy) for a single-family house located in Poland in a 25-year life cycle. The tests were carried out for two different types of building structures (brick and wooden), two variants of external partition insulation, and four heat sources. The following computer programs were used for the calculations: OpenStudio and EnergyPlus, and One Click LCA. The analysis took into account the erection of the building in its shell and the energy consumption for heating in a 25-year life cycle. Studies have shown that when an electric heat source is used, the use stage has the greatest environmental impact, accounting for up to 80% of the total emissions over the life cycle. This ratio can be reduced by half in the case of a house with thicker external wall insulation and an eco-biomass boiler.

Highlights

Faced with global warming underway, it is of paramount importance to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the building stock, which generates one-third of global warming emissions [1]
The Life cycle assessment (LCA) allowed the analysis of the entire life cycle of a typical single-family house in Poland, taking into account the specific building materials and energy supply scenarios for heating
The choice of building structure and the heat source has a fundamental impact on both the amount of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere and other categories of environmental impact;

Summary

Introduction

Faced with global warming underway, it is of paramount importance to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the building stock, which generates one-third of global warming emissions [1]. Studies considering different types of buildings have shown that interventions in the construction sector can result in energy savings of 30% and significantly reduce their environmental impact [2]. To identify potential energy saving interventions, it is essential to understand how buildings use energy throughout their life cycle. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is a commonly used approach in this context, allowing the analysis of the building from the raw material supply stage of its construction, through the operational stage, including heating and cooling, to the demolition and processing of waste at the end of the life of the building [3]. Potential environmental impacts can be evaluated using a selected calculation procedure. These procedures form the LCIA (life cycle impact assessment) group. The purpose of classification is to organize and transform the LCI results into impact categories (the effects that technical objects have on the environment and their relationship to individual phenomena in nature) [4]

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