Low Embodied Energy Materials
Embodied energy is the energy used to extract, process and transport a material (from cradle to factory gate). For example, the embodied energy of a brick is the energy consumed by all the processes associated with a brick, from the acquisition of natural resources to product delivery.
Generally, higher mass materials are subjected to intensive manufacturing processes and require extensive transportation energy (e.g. HGV diesel); and therefore have higher embodied energy.
However, embodied energy can be offset by using materials with a higher recycled content.
The following tables denote comparison examples of different options by material type (insulation) and by function (structure).
