ENERGY CONSUMPTION

Operating VS Embodied Primary Energy Consumption

A complete Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) including operating energy usage, must be undertaken when determining the full potential environmental footprint that a building will leave on society. Work completed by the ATHENA Institute for the international Green Building Challenge demonstrates that over the lifetime of a building, operating energy has a far greater impact than embodied energy. The embodied energy of the materials, in this example, represents only 3 to 13
percent of total energy use over a
75 - 80 year building life.
Source: Scott Horst, ATHENA Institute

CONCRETE HAS BEEN USED FOR OVER 2,000 YEARS

 

 

 

 

2,000-year-old Pantheon
still in use today.
Rome, Italy

 Concrete is best known for its long-lasting and dependable nature. However, the additional ways that concrete contributes to the triple bottom line (SEE) of social progress, economic growth and environmental protection are often overlooked. The life cycle of the structure must be evaluated in the context of the SEE factors. Due to its superior energy performance, flexibility in design, affordability, and environmental responsibility, concrete is a cornerstone of the Canadian construction industry.

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