The estimation of embodied energy data for building materials can be made using a number of methods which have both advantages and disadvantages. A consideration with any of these methods is the quality of the data produced which should be suitable for the purpose to which the data are being used. Possible uses include the calculation of life cycle energy consumption (and greenhouse gas emissions) of buildings or the selection of materials for low embodied energy designs. This paper shows work carried out on both types of analysis for the materials used in residential buildings. The embodied energy of alternative materials in a typical house design is estimated and a comparison is also made of carbon dioxide emissions arising from the embodied energy and operational energy for houses. Consideration is given to the potential for error in estimating embodied energy and associated data and how this relates to the comparisons made in these types of analysis. This exercise indicates that the quality of data should be taken into account when applying embodied energy analyses.

• embodied energy