Publication

Environmental Impact of Building Technical Installations: Comparative Study Using Swiss and French Databases and Real Case Studies

2025

Abstract

Achieving Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission goals in the construction and real estate industry requires early integration of environmental considerations during design stages. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is key for this goal, yet technical installations are often underestimated. This paper presents – through a comparative study – an Early-Stage Parametric Based Life-cycle Analysis (ESPB-LCA) method developed at EPFL to evaluate building-related environmental impacts at early design stages, with special attention to HVAC and sanitary systems. It compares the ESPB-LCA approach with KBOB Swiss database averages, Lesosai software outputs, and real project data. Results highlight the need for detailed technical system assessment to avoid significant underestimation of environmental impacts, supporting better-informed sustainable design.

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/ad5fd6d8-9345-4e51-8a4e-fcbe61a31aec

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2025

Abstract

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/ad5fd6d8-9345-4e51-8a4e-fcbe61a31aec

About this result

Related concepts (32)

Environmental impact assessment

Environmental Impact assessment (EIA) is the assessment of the environmental consequences of a plan, policy, program, or actual projects prior to the decision to move forward with the proposed action. In this context, the term "environmental impact assessment" is usually used when applied to actual projects by individuals or companies and the term "strategic environmental assessment" (SEA) applies to policies, plans and programmes most often proposed by organs of state.

Life-cycle assessment

Life cycle assessment or LCA (also known as life cycle analysis) is a methodology for assessing environmental impacts associated with all the stages of the life cycle of a commercial product, process, or service. For instance, in the case of a manufactured product, environmental impacts are assessed from raw material extraction and processing (cradle), through the product's manufacture, distribution and use, to the recycling or final disposal of the materials composing it (grave).

Environmental issues

Environmental issues are disruptions in the usual function of ecosystems. Further, these issues can be caused by humans (human impact on the environment) or they can be natural. These issues are considered serious when the ecosystem cannot recover in the present situation, and catastrophic if the ecosystem is projected to certainly collapse. Environmental protection is the practice of protecting the natural environment on the individual, organizational or governmental levels, for the benefit of both the environment and humans.

Related publications (32)

Environmental Impact of Building Technical Installations: Comparative Study Using Swiss and French Databases and Real Case Studies

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