Passive strategies on the scope: how are their “return times” in terms of energy consumption and CO2 emmission?

GANEM, CAROLINA; COCH, HELENA

Estambul, Turquía

Conferencia; 11th International Conference on Durability of Building Materials and Components - DBMC 2008; 2008

Istanbul Technical University

Based on currently accepted energy performance standards, energy for building operation represents the largest component of the life-cycle energy use. As environmental issues continue to become increasingly significant, building design priorities –we can anticipate– will considerably improve energy standards. As the energy efficiency of buildings improve, the amount of energy required to produce them and their passive solutions –their embodied energy– represents an increasing component of total energy. As operation energy is reduced below 50% of current standards, embodied energy will be a dominant factor. This study focuses on existing buildings whose operation consumption is already known as high. If an environmental rehabilitation is performed in order to reduce their operation energy by 50% or more, energy must be used to produce, transport and put in place new materials and systems. In terms of energy consumption and CO2 emission, the performed analysis clarifies the concept of “return time” of the embodied energy of the materials involved in the new design versus the energy that would of been consumed without the incorporation of passive strategies. The choice among materials, methods and technology involved in the sustainable design solution is in the hands of the designer team and usually responds to an architectural search. This paper compares the available market options in relation with the desired image and the energy consumption and CO2 emissions for an specific passive solution in the envelope: glassed balconies in a temperate continental climate. The objective is to give criteria for decisional makers by putting passive strategies on the scope.  Prospective to 5, 10 and 15 years is given.