10.1021/es505938u.s001
Sami G. Al-Ghamdi
Sami G.
Al-Ghamdi
Melissa M. Bilec
Melissa M.
Bilec
Life-Cycle
Thinking and the LEED Rating System: Global
Perspective on Building Energy Use and Environmental Impacts
American Chemical Society
2015
ASHRAE
LEED Rating System
reference 43 000 ft 2 office building
location
394 ton CO 2 equiv
Building Information Modeling
life cycle assessment
building rating systems
life cycle
911 ton CO 2 equiv
building energy consumption
drive market transformation
life cycle impacts
LEED rating systems
building energy use
BIM
Environmental ImpactsThis research
variation
U.S
2015-04-07 00:00:00
Journal contribution
https://acs.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Life_Cycle_Thinking_and_the_LEED_Rating_System_Global_Perspective_on_Building_Energy_Use_and_Environmental_Impacts/2179480
This
research investigates the relationship between energy use,
geographic location, life cycle environmental impacts, and Leadership
in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED). The researchers studied
worldwide variations in building energy use and associated life cycle
impacts in relation to the LEED rating systems. A Building Information
Modeling (BIM) of a reference 43 000 ft<sup>2</sup> office
building was developed and situated in 400 locations worldwide while
making relevant changes to the energy model to meet reference codes,
such as ASHRAE 90.1. Then life cycle environmental and human health
impacts from the buildings’ energy consumption were calculated.
The results revealed considerable variations between sites in the
U.S. and international locations (ranging from 394 ton CO<sub>2</sub> equiv to 911 ton CO<sub>2</sub> equiv, respectively). The variations
indicate that location specific results, when paired with life cycle
assessment, can be an effective means to achieve a better understanding
of possible adverse environmental impacts as a result of building
energy consumption in the context of green building rating systems.
Looking at these factors in combination and using a systems approach
may allow rating systems like LEED to continue to drive market transformation
toward sustainable development, while taking into consideration both
energy sources and building efficiency.