Green buildings are constructed with sustainability in mind. To do so, they implement sustainable practices during both their construction and operating phases.
Green buildings prioritize ventilation systems that bring fresh outdoor air in while limiting products with high emissions of volatile organic compounds; such practices significantly enhance indoor environmental quality, leading to enhanced health and productivity in occupants.
Energy Efficiency
Green buildings are designed to maximize energy usage with renewable sources, high-efficiency appliances, lighting and heating systems that utilize renewable energies and reduce gas, electric and water bills while increasing occupant comfort.
Environmental consultants help protect the environment by reducing pollution and strain on local resources, including by encouraging rainwater collection and usage, conserving trees and vegetation, and eliminating run-off which contributes to flooding or erosion.
Green construction goes beyond simply reducing its environmental footprint; instead, its focus lies on developing holistic designs that consider all impacts from beginning to end through life cycle assessment (LCA). This method evaluates all facets of a project from extraction of raw materials through processing to final disposal or recycling of facilities.
Green building practices have the power to save businesses and individuals thousands in gas, electricity and water bills – saving enough money each month to pay back part or all of their initial investment in green buildings. Furthermore, people living and working in them report feeling happier and being more productive at work.
Water Efficiency
Green building strives to enhance environmental quality by conserving energy, water, materials and waste. This approach takes into account every phase of construction from design through operation – including design review processes that determine compliance.
Water efficiency measures in green buildings include reducing both indoor and outdoor water usage by employing low-flow fixtures, installing rainwater collection systems and employing xeriscaping techniques. Other measures may include using evaporative cooling systems or recycling water used for MVAC cooling; using native or adapted plants in landscaping designs as well as improving soil conditions and using efficient irrigation are all sustainable strategies that contribute towards water efficiency in green buildings.
Green buildings often cost more than traditional structures due to the technologies and materials they employ; this requires upfront investments; but, over time they provide cost savings that far outstrip those from conventional structures. Furthermore, many government and private agencies offer incentives designed to encourage green building developments – these incentives may help offset initial costs.
Materials
Green buildings use materials with reduced environmental impacts during their life cycles. This may involve choosing sustainable timber sources, recycled materials or natural insulation materials like sheep’s wool or cellulose fibre for insulation purposes. Many green buildings also include waste reduction measures like compost systems, recycling programs or reuse options as well as grey water recycling systems to lower water consumption.
Innovative green materials can help build structures that are “living” and self-repairing. Concrete that contains bacteria cells to strengthen or fill cracks is just one such example of such technology.
Organizations seeking to maximize the benefits of green building should establish capacity for integrating sustainable materials. This requires adopting an holistic approach to project planning that considers emissions throughout a material’s entire life cycle, including those produced within supply chains. Furthermore, an effective procurement strategy must include seeking suppliers committed to sustainable practices and innovation as well as contracting them to buy a certain percentage of green materials required by large infrastructure projects – an offtake agreement could also help facilitate this.
Indoor Air Quality
Indoor air quality (IAQ) should never be neglected when designing green buildings. Microorganisms, mold and mildew thrive in humid conditions with inadequate ventilation systems; their presence can lead to allergic reactions, infections and respiratory discomfort for residents.
Green buildings employ ventilation systems that filter in fresh outdoor air while filtering out contaminants, while non-toxic materials and chemical-free cleaning products help further minimize exposure for their occupants. Green buildings help maintain high air quality for optimal indoor air quality (IAQ), leading to increased productivity and reduced health problems, leading to greater productivity as well as lower health concerns for their occupants. Studies have also demonstrated higher occupant satisfaction rates for green buildings versus traditional ones. One study conducted a comparison between indoor air quality in five pairs of green and conventional buildings to assess “sick building syndrome,” or SBS, prevalence. Results revealed that both types had similar IAQ; however, SBS was more prevalent among conventional buildings. Authors concluded further research is necessary in order to ascertain what characteristics contribute to SBS, and how green buildings may promote improved IAQ.