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LCA Tools in Residential Building - Assessing Their Applicability

LCA Tools in Residential Building - Assessing Their Applicability. Rich Dooley NAHB Research Center September 24, 2003. Overview. This discussion will cover: Background Details of LCA workshop Tools Highlighted at LCA Workshop Conclusions & Recommendations.

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LCA Tools in Residential Building - Assessing Their Applicability

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  1. LCA Tools in Residential Building - Assessing Their Applicability Rich Dooley NAHB Research Center September 24, 2003

  2. Overview This discussion will cover: • Background • Details of LCA workshop • Tools Highlighted at LCA Workshop • Conclusions & Recommendations

  3. NAHB Research Center :Our History • Founded in 1964 • Independent research arm of NAHB • Response to the lack of consistent funding sources for housing technology research • Partner with industry leaders in housing innovation and quality • Staffed with highly-qualified research and industry professionals

  4. Our Mission To promote innovation in housing technology to improve durability and affordability of building products and homes.

  5. Supporting the Building Industry Green Building Research Seniors Housing Research Market Research Builder and Consumer Practices Surveys Lab Services Home Building Industry ToolBase Services Quality Trade Contractor Certification Housing Quality Program

  6. Green Building….Simplified Incorporating environmental considerations into every step of the home building and land development processes

  7. LCA Workshop • April 20, 2001 • Panel of international LCA experts • Focused on five LCA tools • Presentations then facilitated sessions • Identify data needs • Understand LCA methodologies • Identify targeted audience • Recommendations

  8. LCA Tools • ATHENA (Canada) • BEES 2.0 (USA) • BRE Green Guide (UK) • LCAid (Australia) • Life Cycle Explorer (USA)

  9. Session #1 – Data Analysis • Quality • Gaps • Comprehensiveness & transparency • ISO 14040 conformance • National vs. regional • Time horizons • Proprietary & company-specific • Database standardization • Usage phase of materials

  10. Session #2 – LCA Tool Methodologies • Assumptions • Double counting • Validity testing • Differing approaches and applications • Unequal uncertainties • No right answer • Fine tuning

  11. Session #3 – Audience • Tool’s limitations • Generic results • Clearinghouse for results • Other metrics in choosing materials • Simplify output • Role of product suppliers • Other end-users

  12. Recommendations & Conclusions • Market research  Supply chain feedback • ID likely end-users • Increase data availability & transparency • ID how LCA tools affect building design • Monitor homes  Quantify benefits • Labeling and buyer decisions • ID drivers in product selection process • Connect “green” to performance • Educate building product manufacturers • How to factor LCA tool’s results into product selection process

  13. NAHB Research Center Conclusions • LCA is evolving • Verify ecoindicator algorithms for accuracy • Report uncertainties in results • Enhance amount and resolution of data • Develop feedback loop  validate tool’s accuracy • Clearly define role of LCA tool in builder’s world

  14. For More Information: Rich Dooley Environmental Analyst NAHB Research Center 301-430-6242 rdooley@nahbrc.org

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