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The technical and environmental performance of a ground source heat pump system (GSHP) is examined using the method of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The present LCA study quantifies the environmental impacts of the installation of a ground heat exchanger based system of the Town Hall of Pylaia in Thessaloniki, Greece. The study examines the manufacturing, transportation as well as the operation stages of the GSHP system and records energy consumption as well as air emissions to the environment. The system boundary includes the production of raw materials such as copper, plastic, steel, aluminium, rubber, the transportation of heat pumps and pipes, drilling, as well as the operation of the GSHP system, and finally the assembly process. The functional unit chosen is 1 kW of installed power. The environmental impacts categories considered in the study are these of greenhouse effect, ozone depletion, acidification, eutrophication, carcinogenesis, winter smog, heavy metals. Analysis of the system indicates that 73% and 14.54% of the assessment are attributed to the categories of acidification and greenhouse effect respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The technical and environmental performance of a solar water heater (SWH) is examined using the method of life cycle assessment (LCA). The present LCA study quantifies the environmental benefits of the installation of a SWH with electricity as auxiliary for domestic use in the city of Thessaloniki. Solar thermal heating produces no emissions during operation but some small levels of emissions are produced during the manufacture and installation of components and systems. This work examines the manufacturing stages of the SWH and records resource consumption and waste streams to the environment. The system boundary includes the production of raw materials such as steel, glass, copper, aluminium, glass fibber and polyurethane insulators, the manufacturing of the various parts of the SWH such as the solar collector and the heat storage tank, and finally the assembly process. The functional unit chosen is 1 MW of produced hot water. The environmental impacts taken into consideration in the study, are the greenhouse effect, ozone depletion, acidification, eutrophication, heavy metals, carcinogens, winter smog and summer smog. The system can provide 1702 kWh year−1 and the solar contribution is 58.5%. The financial characteristics of the system investigated give life cycle savings equal to 4280.0 € and pay-back time equal to 5 years. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]