Energy and primary energy use, as well as the CO₂ equivalent emissions of different design options

In Europe the building sector accounts for a large part of the primary energy use, which results in CO_{2 ekv} emission and a negative environmental impact. In the context of sustainable development, buildings should be constructed with adequate occupant comfort, limited natural resource use and low environmental impact, seen over the entire life cycle. Buildings themselves are “problematic” since their production process is complicated, and the life span is long and the future phases are always based on assumptions. This paper studies a new office building in the design phase and different alternatives to influence the CO_{2 ekv} emissions and primary energy use. The calculations presented in this paper include building material, building process and energy use of the building.