A Publicly Available Cost Simulation of Sustainable Construction Options for Residential Houses

Lawrence Fulton, Bradley Beauvais, Matthew Brooks, Clemens Scott Kruse and Kimberly Lee
Additional contact information
Lawrence Fulton: Health Administration, Texas State University, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
Bradley Beauvais: Health Administration, Texas State University, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
Matthew Brooks: Health Administration, Texas State University, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
Clemens Scott Kruse: Health Administration, Texas State University, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA
Kimberly Lee: Health Administration, Texas State University, 601 University Drive, San Marcos, TX 78666, USA

Sustainability, 2020, vol. 12, issue 7, 1-19

Abstract: A major consideration for consumers and the residential construction industry is the cost–benefit and break-even of various sustainable construction options. This research provides a publicly available simulation that allows users to compare baseline construction options versus sustainable options and evaluates both break-even costs as well as environmental effects. This R Shiny Monte Carlo simulation uses common pseudo-random number streams for replicability and includes options for solar, rainwater harvesting, wells, Icynene foam, engineered lumber, Energy Star windows and doors, low flow fixtures, aerobic/non-aerobic/city waste treatment, electric versus gasoline vehicles, and many other options. This is the first simulation to quantify multiple sustainable construction options, associated break-even points, and environmental considerations for public use. Using user default parameters, coupled with a 100% solar solution for a baseline 3000 square foot/279 square meter house with 2 occupants results in a break-even of 9 years. Results show that many of the sustainable options are both green for the environment and green for the pocketbook.

Keywords: construction; rainwater harvesting; simulation; solar (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/7/2873/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/7/2873/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:7:p:2873-:d:341295

Access Statistics for this article

Sustainability is currently edited by Ms. Alexandra Wu

More articles in Sustainability from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().