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Embodied Energy and Embodied GWP of Windows: A Critical Review

Author

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  • Francesco Asdrubali

    (Department of Engineering, Roma Tre University, 00146 Rome, Italy)

  • Marta Roncone

    (Department of Engineering, Roma Tre University, 00146 Rome, Italy)

  • Gianluca Grazieschi

    (Department of Engineering, Roma Tre University, 00146 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

The construction sector is one of the most energy-intensive in the industrialized countries. In order to limit climate change emissions throughout the entire life cycle of a building, in addition to reducing energy consumption in the operational phase, attention should also be paid to the embodied energy and CO 2 emissions of the building itself. The purpose of this work is to review data on embodied energy and GWP derived from EPDs of different types of windows, to identify the LCA phases, the most impacting materials and processes from an environmental point of view and to perform a critical analysis of the outcomes. The results show a strong dependence on the typology of the frame, with wooden windows having competitive performances: lower average primary energy non-renewable (1123 MJ/FU), higher average primary energy renewable (respectively 817 MJ/FU) and lower global warming potential (54 kgCO 2 eq/FU). More transparency and standardization in the information conveyed by the program operators is, however, desirable for a better comparability of windows performances. In particular, the inclusion of the operational impact in the EPD is sporadic, but strongly important, since it can be the most impactful phase.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesco Asdrubali & Marta Roncone & Gianluca Grazieschi, 2021. "Embodied Energy and Embodied GWP of Windows: A Critical Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-17, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:13:p:3788-:d:581083
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Paulos, Jason & Berardi, Umberto, 2020. "Optimizing the thermal performance of window frames through aerogel-enhancements," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 266(C).
    2. Myunghwan Oh & Jaesung Park & Seungjun Roh & Chulsung Lee, 2018. "Deducing the Optimal Control Method for Electrochromic Triple Glazing through an Integrated Evaluation of Building Energy and Daylight Performance," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-22, August.
    3. Hee, W.J. & Alghoul, M.A. & Bakhtyar, B. & Elayeb, OmKalthum & Shameri, M.A. & Alrubaih, M.S. & Sopian, K., 2015. "The role of window glazing on daylighting and energy saving in buildings," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 42(C), pages 323-343.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Saman Abolghasemi Moghaddam & Catarina Serra & Manuel Gameiro da Silva & Nuno Simões, 2023. "Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Glazing Systems towards Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings: Energy Performance, Thermal Comfort, Cost-Effectiveness, and Environmental Impact Perspectives," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-30, August.
    2. Jacopo Famiglietti & Hicham Madioum & Mario Motta, 2023. "Developing a New Data-Driven LCA Tool at the Urban Scale: The Case of the Embodied Environmental Profile of the Building Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-30, July.
    3. Claudio Zandonella Callegher & Gianluca Grazieschi & Eric Wilczynski & Ulrich Filippi Oberegger & Simon Pezzutto, 2023. "Assessment of Building Materials in the European Residential Building Stock: An Analysis at EU27 Level," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-19, May.
    4. Younhee Choi & Akihito Ozaki & Haksung Lee, 2022. "Impact of Window Frames on Annual Energy Consumption of Residential Buildings and Its Contribution to CO 2 Emission Reductions at the City Scale," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-15, May.
    5. Francesco Asdrubali & Gianluca Grazieschi & Marta Roncone & Francesca Thiebat & Corrado Carbonaro, 2023. "Sustainability of Building Materials: Embodied Energy and Embodied Carbon of Masonry," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-28, February.
    6. Eckard Helmers & Chia Chien Chang & Justin Dauwels, 2022. "Carbon Footprinting of Universities Worldwide Part II: First Quantification of Complete Embodied Impacts of Two Campuses in Germany and Singapore," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-24, March.

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