LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS OF A RESIDENTIAL HOME IN MICHIGAN


Download Project Report here! (629K PDF)

By: Steven Blanchard and Peter Reppe
("the team")

A project submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Master of Science of Natural Resources at the University of Michigan

October 1998

Sponsored by the National Pollution Prevention Center



TABLE OF CONTENTS

0.0 Abstract and Executive Summary

1.0 Introduction
1.1 Overview
1.2 Purpose of Study
1.3 Similar Studies

2.0 Methods
2.1 Overview
2.2 Description of Princeton Standard Home (SH)
2.3 System Boundaries of Life Cycle Analysis
2.4 Life Cycle Materials Data Base
2.5 Home Maintenance and Improvements
2.6 Life Cycle Inventory of SH
2.7 Life Cycle Inventory of EEH
2.8 Life Cycle Cost Analysis

3.0 Results
3.1 Life Cycle Mass
3.2 Life Cycle Energy Consumption
3.3 Life Cycle Global Warming Potential
3.4 Life Cycle Cost Analysis
3.5 Other EEH Design Scenarios

4.0 Conclusions
4.1 General
4.2 Potential Follow-on Research
4.3 Analysis Tools



FACULTY ADVISORS
Gregory A. Keoleian
, Research Manger, National Pollution Prevention Center, Ann Arbor, MI
Marc H. Ross, Professor, Physics Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI


PEER REVIEWERS
Appleyard, Wayne,
Architect, Sunstructures Architects, Ann Arbor, MI
Barrie, John, Architect, John Barrie Associates, Ann Arbor, MI
Brandle, Kurt, Prof. Emeritus, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Howard, Sarah, Washtenaw County, Dept. of Environment and Infrastructure Service, Ann Arbor, MI
Moore, Michael, Associate Professor of Environmental Economics, School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Norris, Greg, Sylvatica, North Berwick, MA
Schroeder, Doug, Passive Solar Industries Council, Washington, DC
Yost, Peter, National Association of Home Builders Research Center, Upper Malboro, MD




Acknowledgments

We would like to express our appreciation to those who provided their time and experience in helping us complete this undertaking. We extend our thanks to our project advisors, Dr. Greg Keoleian and Professor Marc Ross who were both instrumental in providing focus and channeling our energies in a meaningful direction, and for providing valuable feedback at critical junctures of the project. We are grateful to the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation in conjunction with the National Pollution Prevention Center for project support and funding.

We are especially indebted to the members of our review committee; Wayne Appleyard (Sunstructures Architects), John Barrie (John Barrie Associates), Professor Kurt Brandle (Prof. Emeritus, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, University of Michigan), Sarah Howard (Washtenaw County, Dept. of Environment and Infrastructure Service), Peter Yost (National Association of Home Builders Research Center), Michael Moore (Associate Professor of Environmental Economics, School of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Michigan) and Greg Norris (Sylvatica), all of whom made valuable contributions during the project and provided much needed attention to detail during preparation of the final document.

We were fortunate to have had the full cooperation of the Guenther Company, builder of the Princeton home studied. Specifically, Tod Griffen provided us with construction documents and supported our site visits and inquiries throughout the project. Gary Grisham and Linda Penya were both very helpful. We would like to thank several individuals working with local construction suppliers who where always willing to answer questions and pass on what they had learned; Steve Cook (Astro Builders), Mike Frank (Century Truss), and Doug Bakman (Fingerle Lumber).

Patrick Pierquet (Teltech), Ramsey Zimmermann (Recycle Ann Arbor), and Don Nelson (D. R. Nelson and Associates) where very helpful in providing insight during the conceptualization of the energy efficient house. Michael W. Turnbull (Guardian Industries Corp.) assisted in reviewing the final draft.

Special thanks go to Doug Balcomb with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, as well as to Doug Schroeder and Kristine Anstead, both with the Passive Solar Industries Council, who provided technical support for the Energy-10 software used in the project. We appreciate the help of Sonya Lee and Tracy Holbrooks who assisted in gathering information and performing surveys.





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Last updated October, 9th '98