Abstract Outline

Minimizing Embodied Energy

Through the use of photovoltaic panels how can we offset the embodied energy of the net zero green home in Kamloops BC? How can we create an initial carbon neutral home using green construction technologies for future single family homes?

Building green has become the way of the future. Although it creates an energy efficient home after construction, the embodied energy of the home could definitely produce better results. This report will show how much embodied energy goes into the net zero green home here in Kamloops. Embodied energy comes from the extraction, production, transportation and construction of materials. The most embodied energy comes from manufacturing building products. Photovoltaic panels will be added to create a carbon neutral home. This report will also be looking at various technologies we could use for future construction.

The report will examine components of the exterior wall assembly. The main components being looked at will be triple glazed windows, Logix xrv R44 Insulated Concrete Forms, and Concrete. Photovoltaic panels will also be crucial in the calculation. Through research the report will explain what materials the exterior wall can be changed to in order to achieve the best possible results.

The Athena Institute has a great resource accessible for this report. The EcoCalculator calculates different wall assemblies and how much energy they have. The embodied energy figures will come primarily from Athena Institute.

Original Graphic

Thesis Question

Here is what I have for my possible Thesis question. If you have any ideas let me know what you think.

Topic: Embodied Energy found in exterior wall assemblies

Thesis: Through the use of green technologies (like pv panels) how can we offset the embodied energy of a net zero green home found in kamloops?

Applications:

• To create an overall greener wall assembly for a single family home in this climate
• To compare to a conventional wood frame home.

I would like to somehow incorporate the comparison of a wood-frame home into my thesis questions. If you have any suggestions please pass on your ideas. Thanks!

The exterior wall assemblies of a green home & wood frame home

Here is a broken down list of the parts in the exterior wall I will be examining in each home.


Green Net Zero Home:

• Triple glazed windows
• Logix xrv R44 Insulated Concrete Forms
• Concrete

Wood Frame Home:

• Double paned windows
• 2x6 stud walls
• R20 Batt Insulation

*If there are any other components of the exterior wall you think are critical, feel free to give me ideas.**

Building Materials

I will use the EcoCalculator off of Athena Institute. The Athena® Impact Estimator for calculation the embodied energy is a great source as well. This Estimator takes into account material manufacturing, includes resource extraction, transportation & on-site construction. It can also calculate the recycled content, regional variation in energy use, building type, an assumed lifespan, maintenance, repair, replacements, demolition, disposal. However, I will only be looking at some of these aspects, in order to narrow the topic down.

Some of the early findings of embodied energy linked to building materials:


Glass 25.8 MJ/Kg
Cement 5.85 MJ/Kg

The most embodied energy comes from the manufacturing stage.

I will be continuely updating this as I calculate the buildings on the Athena Institute EcoCalculator.

Embodied Energy

Embodied energy can be broken down into extraction, production, transportation and construction. Each wall assembly has different values. Applying these values from a wood-frame home and a net-zero green home to the overall energy efficiency of the building. The material with the least amount of embodied energy is wood, if it is from sustainably managed forests, but how much does that make up for the less efficient home. Since these homes will be in Kamloops, instead of a larger city, transport for some materials will make bigger difference than others. There are so many different types of materials that go into a home, therefore, I will only compare the exterior wall assembly of the two.

image by: canadian architect

The Green Equilibrium home currently under construction in Kamloops BC at Sun Rivers will be the green wall assembly I will compare to a conventional 2x6 wood frame home. Wood has the least amount of embodied energy. It is already known that the embodied energy of the materials in this type of home is significantly less than the green home materials. I will look at how the embodied energy compares to the energy efficiency of the home when it is being used. How long does it take for the green home make up for how much energy goes into constructing it?

Embodied Energy Comparison Proposal

Summary statement:
Green building has risen in popularity around the world and is leading the way to a better future. Is this technology green from start to finish? How does embodied energy of building materials for a green home compare to a conventional wood frame home? These materials may produce a greener more sustainable home, but does that alone make up for how much energy may go into manufacturing these materials. There are many different materials that go into constructing a home, but not all of them have been proven to be green.

Purpose:
The building green concept definitely produces an energy efficient home, but what about before those materials arrive at the construction site. The purpose is to find out how the embodied energy of materials in green homes differs from the traditional wood frame home. It’s also important to determine whether or not the way these materials are transported is more or less green.

Goals and Objectives:
· Determine if there is a big difference in the embodied energy of a wood frame home and a net zero energy home.
· Interpret statistics on how much embodied energy there is in producing and transporting and extracting different materials and applications in these homes.
· Establish how the energy input differs in the construction of the two types of buildings. Find out how different material affects how quickly or effectively a project is completed.
· Evaluate how green a home is after determining the embodied energy.

Methodology and analytical approach:
· Extract information from various publications, and sources.
· Research embodied energy of the individual components of each home.
· Calculate energy of transportation and production combined.
· Apply information to specific type of home.
· Convey the information in a detailed report.

Previous Studies:
Previous studies show calculations of embodied energy of materials without a lot of application to the building. This project will provide a conclusion of how embodied energy affects the overall process of construction. The knowledge gathered from these studies will help to define a green building and will show how green these building actually are.
Plans for dissemination of work:
Discussions on the topic and the different ideas amongst peers in the same area of study; Provide a blog allows others from all over to give their input on the topic. This allows a broader audience to access the information researched and quickly provide their feedback. Professionals in the field are another great source of people to discuss ideas with.

Welcome To My Blog!

Welcome! I will be continually updating my research throughout the next couple of months & encourage any comments that will contribute to my work. It would be greatly appreciated. The research will later be developed into an applied research report on embodied energy, specifically comparisons between a wood frame home and an equilibrium home. The blog will help expand my knowledge of my topic, as well as keep my ideas organized.

Thanks,

Ellissa