Lecture 05

Introduction to
Energy Efficient Material

Nur Mohammad Khan

Lecturer, ArchKU
***Materials are assessed as efficient, against their total ingestion of embodied
energy that is the energy consumed by all of the processes associated with the production
of a building, from the mining and processing of natural resources to manufacturing,
transport and product delivery. embodied energy does not include the operation and
disposal of the building material.

There is a large variety of materials which can be used in the construction of buildings,
and careful selection of environmentally sustainable building materials is an important
means of incorporating sustainable design principles into buildings. Materials with the
lowest embodied energy, such as concrete, bricks and timber, are usually consumed in
large quantities. ... As a result, the greatest amount of embodied energy in a building
can be from either low embodied energy materials such as concrete or high
embodied energy materials such as steel.

Keep in mind, sometimes we could forget in the total energy-count is a complex sum
up of other embodied consumptions too like as below-

• efficiency of the individual manufacturing process

• the fuels used in the manufacture of the materials
• the distances materials are transported
• the amount of recycled product used.
 The issue is ‘Imbalance’ in
Between-
4 Long-Lasting Building Materials Every
Homeowner Should Consider
• Brick. It should come as no surprise that
brick is one of the most durable building
materials on the planet. ...
• Stone. Stone is another material that's
been used for centuries and has proved its
ability to hold up over time. ...
• Steel. ...
• Concrete.
8 Most Energy-Efficient Building
Materials
•1) Recycled steel: Two out of three
tons of new steel are usually recycled
from old steel. ...
•2) Spray foam insulation: ...
•3) Thermostat radiant barrier
sheathing: ...
•4) Bamboo plywood: ...
•5) Insulating concrete forms: ...
•6) Straw bales: ...
•7) Plant-based polyurethane
foam: ...
•8) Cool roof
(In the list there is no any direct
building material)
And also we should keep in mind when we
have to choose-

•Transportation issues: the actual embodied energy of a

material manufactured and used in one location, e.g.
Dhaka, is very different from the same material transported
by road to Khulna

•Recycling issues: aluminium from a recycled source

contains less than 10% of the embodied energy of
aluminium manufactured from raw materials

•Life-Cycle issues: materials of high monetary and high

embodied energy value, such as stainless steel, are almost
certain to have been recycled many times, reducing their
life cycle impact.
Sustainability consideration for material selection-
To choose any building construction material:
•Design for long life and adaptability, using durable low maintenance materials.
•Ensure materials can be easily separated.
•Avoid building a bigger house than you need — and save materials.
•Modify or refurbish instead of demolishing or adding.
•Ensure construction wastes and materials from demolition of existing buildings are reused or recycled.
•Use locally sourced materials (including materials salvaged on site) to reduce transport.
•Select low embodied energy materials (which may include materials with a high recycled content).
•Avoid wasteful material use. For example, specify standard sizes wherever possible (windows, door, panels) to avoid using additional
materials as fillers. Some energy intensive finishes, such as paints, often have high wastage levels so try to buy only as much as you need.

•Ensure offcuts are recycled and use only sufficient structural materials to ensure stability and meet construction standards.
•Select materials that can be reused or recycled easily at the end of their lives using existing recycling systems.
•Give preference to materials that have been manufactured using renewable energy sources.
•Use efficient building envelope design and fittings to minimise materials (e.g. an energy efficient building envelope can downsize or
eliminate the need for heaters and coolers, water-efficient taps can allow downsizing of water pipes).
•Ask suppliers for information on their products and share this information.
 *Appendix

Transportation Comparison
 *Appendix

Environmental Measures
 *Appendix

PAINTS, ADHESIVES AND PRESERVATIVES

Paints, adhesives, preservatives, sealants and cleaning agents encompass a
very diverse
range of substances. They are typically present in relatively small quantities in
buildings,
but can have a disproportionate effect on the environment. Although their
manufacture
often involves the use of oil and gas both as fuel for the manufacturing process
and as
feedstocks, CO2 and other fossil fuel related emissions are not a major
environmental
concern here because of the small
Eco quantities
Labels involved compared to other
materials
An ‘eco-label’ identifies a product that meets specified environmental performance
criteria or standards. The EU Ecolabel award1991).
(Howard, scheme is the eco-label of the European
Union and was introduced on a voluntary basis in 1992 to promote products which
have a reduced environmental impact (compared with other products in the same
product group) and to provide consumers with accurate and scientifically-based
information and guidance on products.
 *Appendix

Sustainability Rating
*Appendix
 ?
So, How could we
challenge our
everyday
materials….
What is the Best Material for us…..?

The
END