Abstract
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 109447 |
| Journal | Energy and Buildings |
| Volume | 203 |
| Early online date | 21 Sep 2019 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 15 Nov 2019 |
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Keywords
- Deep retrofit
- Domestic retrofit
- Embodied energy
- Fabric first
- Final energy
- Life cycle energy analysis
- Low-energy building
- Operating energy
- Primary energy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Civil and Structural Engineering
- Building and Construction
- Mechanical Engineering
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Cite this
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A review of the limitations of Life Cycle Energy Analysis for the design of fabric First loW-energy domestic retrofits. / Hurst, Lois J.; O'Donovan, Tadhg S.
In: Energy and Buildings, Vol. 203, 109447, 15.11.2019.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - A review of the limitations of Life Cycle Energy Analysis for the design of fabric First loW-energy domestic retrofits
AU - Hurst, Lois J.
AU - O'Donovan, Tadhg S.
PY - 2019/11/15
Y1 - 2019/11/15
N2 - Reduction of energy for space heating through retrofit interventions is imperative to meet carbon reduction targets in many temperate climates. A Life Cycle approach to retrofit design has the potential to reveal the balance between projected operational energy savings, and embodied energy invested in an intervention, and therefore optimise the extent of retrofit. However, life cycle energy analysis (LCEA) suffers from inconsistent methodologies across studies, and is rarely used for retrofit projects. A preliminary meta-analysis was conducted, drawing on LCEA data from domestic new builds and retrofits from the last twenty years. Whilst recent literature conversations indicate that embodied energy increases with decreasing operating energy, the meta-analysis is inconsistent with this. This review critiques the limitations and sources of variation in LCEA, focuses on how these compromise its value as part of the building design process and when comparing between projects, and recommends approaches which add value for building designers. This review has identified a need for research to elucidate a transferrable approach for determining the lowest life cycle energy for any retrofit, and also a need for a more robust data set of domestic retrofit LCEA.
AB - Reduction of energy for space heating through retrofit interventions is imperative to meet carbon reduction targets in many temperate climates. A Life Cycle approach to retrofit design has the potential to reveal the balance between projected operational energy savings, and embodied energy invested in an intervention, and therefore optimise the extent of retrofit. However, life cycle energy analysis (LCEA) suffers from inconsistent methodologies across studies, and is rarely used for retrofit projects. A preliminary meta-analysis was conducted, drawing on LCEA data from domestic new builds and retrofits from the last twenty years. Whilst recent literature conversations indicate that embodied energy increases with decreasing operating energy, the meta-analysis is inconsistent with this. This review critiques the limitations and sources of variation in LCEA, focuses on how these compromise its value as part of the building design process and when comparing between projects, and recommends approaches which add value for building designers. This review has identified a need for research to elucidate a transferrable approach for determining the lowest life cycle energy for any retrofit, and also a need for a more robust data set of domestic retrofit LCEA.
KW - Deep retrofit
KW - Domestic retrofit
KW - Embodied energy
KW - Fabric first
KW - Final energy
KW - Life cycle energy analysis
KW - Low-energy building
KW - Operating energy
KW - Primary energy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85072707271&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.enbuild.2019.109447
DO - 10.1016/j.enbuild.2019.109447
M3 - Article
VL - 203
JO - Energy and Buildings
JF - Energy and Buildings
SN - 0378-7788
M1 - 109447
ER -