### Question
Can you define what life cycle cost means?


### Answer
**Life cycle cost** is defined as the following in *42 U.S.C. § 8259*:

> the total costs of owning, operating, and maintaining a building over its useful life (including such costs as fuel, energy, labor, and replacement components) determined on the basis of a systematic evaluation and comparison of alternative building systems, except that in the case of leased buildings, the life cycle costs shall be calculated over the effective remaining term of the lease

#### Citation:
  - *42 U.S.C. § 8259*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 91-NATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION POLICY > SUBCHAPTER III-FEDERAL ENERGY INITIATIVE > Part B-Federal Energy Management**

