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Parallels between energy efficiency in domestic appliances and environmental life cycle analysis of products

Panel: Panel 4. The Energy-Environment Link

Author:
Mark Hinnels, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK

Abstract

Legislation is changing in many countries either to encourage, or to force enviromnental side effects to be taken into consideration in domestic appliances. This paper discusses some of the parallels and differences in methodology of Environmental LCA and energy efficiency studies, and discusses first, the advantages and disadvantages of expanding the system boundary beyond energy consumption in use, and second, of examining net impacts rather than gross emissions. In some product categories, there may be conflicts between energy efficiency and other environmental objectives, requiring conflict resolution, and the identification of priorities. A study of a refrigerator is used as an illustration. The major impact of refrigeration appliances are emissions from energy consumption and the effects of CFCs and CFC-replacements.

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