Identifying key systems for sustainable homes

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Our first systems project focuses on developing systems for both new homes and renovations which would substantially improve their ability to perform to a high standard of sustainability.
Systems as part of homes and neighbourhoods


Using Life Cycle Assessment

By applying Life Cycle Assessment to previous Beacon projects (the Waitakere NOW Home® and two Papakowhai Renovations), we’ll find out more about the environmental hot spots.  These are systems which contribute the most to the environmental impact of a home.  For example, the ratio of embodied energy to operational energy to heat these homes will be established.  Embodied energy is the energy used throughout the manufacturing, installation and disposal of a system, and may considerably add to the overall environmental impact of a product. 


Setting criteria

The first step will be developing the criteria on which to assess building systems.  These will reflect the needs of homeowners and builders, environmental impacts and the performance of the home to a HSS High Standard of Sustainability®.


Identifying systems for further development

Alternative innovative systems will be assessed and prioritised.  The top two systems will be prioritised for further development.

Our team will develop Life Cycle Assessment-based system calculators for each of the two systems, which will provide material lists and environmental impacts of a number of alternative designs. Material lists might include, for a concrete floor as an example, the required amounts of concrete, insulation etc., and a timber floor system, including concrete foundations, timber construction and insulation. Once performance benchmarks are also set, the calculator will indicate the environmental profile of the different systems which provide the required performance.

Related Documents

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