Life cycle assessment of self-help housing: Case of Baan Man Kong program

The several life cycle assessment (LCA) studies of residential buildings conducted in the last decade. In Thailand have focused on conventional houses and very few studies have considered those built for the poor. This study conducted a LCA of self-help housing by using two dwelling types in the Baan Mankong Program as case study. Results indicate that over 85% of the total life cycle energy is the operational energy which is 8.6-17.5 GJ/m2 or 86-92% and the embodied energy is 1.0-1.5 GJ/m². About 75% of embodied energy comes from building materials particularly concrete and steel. Measures to include compact development and the use of less energy intensive materials. The other measure to reduce operational energy is the use of energy efficient appliances which can reduce up to 26% of household electricity consumption.