Towards a comprehensive approach to zero-emissions housing

There are a growing number of examples of housing developments around the world that claim to be zero energy or zero emissions. Some of these clearly indicate that this only refers to the ability to minimize energy requirements for heating and cooling. However, others simply fail to recognize the energy and emissions needed to produce the materials and other components required for housing construction and ongoing maintenance and repair. For a house to be considered as truly net zero emissions, all of the emissions occurring across every stage of its life must be offset. This study calculates the life cycle emissions associated with a new house located in Melbourne, Australia. Based on the findings, an estimate is made of the capacity of a solar photovoltaic (PV) system needed to offset these emissions over the life of the house including the emissions associated with the manufacture and maintenance of the PV system itself. It was found that a 14.9kW system would be needed. The findings from this article provide a great deal of insight into the life cycle global-warming impacts associated with housing and the capacity for these to be offset by on-site solar energy production.