Embodied energy refers to the total amount of energy required for the transportation, manufacturing, storage, sale, and disposal of a product or building. This energy consumption is not immediately visible and varies significantly in buildings depending on the materials used and the nature of the required resources. Embodied energy can have substantial environmental impacts, as some materials and resources are more challenging to produce or extract. While some are derived from limited resources, others come from renewable sources. When assessing a building's sustainability, it's crucial to consider not only the ongoing energy consumption but also the embodied energy, which often outweighs the operational energy use.
Reducing embodied energy is a key aspect of advancing sustainability in construction, alongside improving energy efficiency in building operations. One way to reduce embodied energy is by extending a building's lifecycle. Predictive maintenance is among the many strategies to minimize the impact of embodied energy.
