| Aspect | G-09 Object of assessment with regard to energy-efficient buildings | |||||||
Description |
Life cycle assessment is a flexible methodology that can be applied to all kinds of product or building. It is important to specify whether the LCA methodology has to be adapted in terms of system boundaries or cut-off rules when applying it to an energy-efficient building. | |||||||
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Related study objective |
☒ stand-alone LCA | ☒ comparative assertion | ||||||
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Related study phase |
☒ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | |||
| goal and scope definition | inventory analysis (LCI) | impact assessment (LCIA) | interpretation | reporting | ||||
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Relevant for |
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| new buildings | existing buildings | construction products | screening LCA | simplified LCA | complete LCA | |||
Provisions |
Life cycle assessment is a flexible methodology that can be applied to all kind of building, whatever their environmental performance (or energy efficiency). For this reason, the definition of the object of assessment does not need to explicitly define specific levels of energy efficiency.The current and forthcoming definitions of an energy-efficient building may, however, support an LCA approach (i.e. from cradle to grave), as opposed to a focused assessment that looks only at the environmental aspects linked to operational energy use. | |||||||
Rules from: |
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Guidance |
The energy efficiency of buildings during their operational stage generally does not influence definition of the object of assessment, as for a building LCA this generally refers to the building’s entire life cycle. For this purpose, it is recommended that national definitions across Europe be referred to , such as the German ‘passive houses’ or French ‘low energy buildings’ (BBC) and ‘positive energy buildings’(BEPOS).The main information concerning the object of assessment should be considered in the functional equivalent; other, secondary information may be also reported regarding the scope of the study. | |||||||
