BIM-based LCA and LCC Study on Small Scale Energy Efficient Buildings

Li Qiyuan; Yang Xiangqun; Yang Wei

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1000-0232.2017.02.045

Abstract：Passive extra-low energy consumption buildings reduce their operation cost through passive design strategies, high-performing building envelopes, and efficient mechanical systems. Zero energy consumption buildings further reduce non-renewable energy consumption by applying renewable energy systems such as PV modules. These two types of energy efficient buildings often have higher hidden energy consumption, environmental impact and cost in both building materials and equipments, and have higher requirements in maintenance and replacement of building parts.Thus, it is necessary to analyze their resource consumption and environmental impact across their entire life cycle. Building Information Modeling (BIM) can provide a inter-disciplinary data platform that could be shared among design, construction,operation, and demolition stages of a building project. By integrating BIM with LCA and LCC methods, the GWP, PE, and LCC values of a small scale residential building under three different energy-saving scenarios are analyzed and compared.The results show that zero energy consumption buildings and PlusEnergy Buildings have obvious advantages in lowering their PE and GWP values, while passive extra-low energy consumption buildings have good environmental benefits. In terms of economic benefits, due to the low energy price of residential buildings and based on recent price index, the initial and replacement cost of zero and passive extra-low energy consumption buildings will offset the energy savings benefit during operation, which makes their life cycle costs higher than regular energy efficient buildings. However, if the increase rate of energy price grows higher than that of building construction price in future 50 years, zero energy consumption buildings will have advantage in life cycle costs.