Green buildings incorporate sustainable practices into their design, construction and operation processes to promote environmental responsibility and address issues such as energy consumption, water conservation, indoor environmental quality and materials selection.
PNNL researchers are developing LCA methodologies for use in green building design to ensure that embodied energy and other life cycle impacts are taken into account when making decisions about building design.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is at the core of sustainable building design. This involves reducing both the embodied and operating energy required to extract, process and transport materials as well as powering appliances and equipment; additionally it involves producing renewable energy such as through solar panels or Trombe walls on site.
Many green building strategies focus on lowering electricity usage, whether that means using more efficient lighting and HVAC systems or smart technology that tracks usage data and makes automatic adjustments based on usage patterns to cut waste. Doing this can lower heating and electricity bills while simultaneously increasing resale value and helping the environment by reducing emissions and resource depletion.
Water Efficiency
Water is an indispensable and finite resource. Green buildings employ various strategies to decrease their freshwater usage and relieve strain on shared resources.
Rainwater harvesting, low-flow plumbing fixtures (such as showerheads and faucets) and greywater systems that recycle water from washing machines and sinks into landscape applications or (when treated) toilet flushing services all form part of this effort.
Renewable energy also plays a pivotal role here – both as on-site electricity production using photovoltaic equipment and for heating and cooling the building through daylighting and solar water heating principles. Utilizing these technologies can significantly decrease fossil fuel usage in building operation while helping lower utility bills for building residents.
Indoor Air Quality
One of the defining characteristics of a green building is its ability to ensure healthy indoor air quality, which requires constant monitoring using professional-grade indoor air quality monitors that detect pollutants before they cause issues. Doing this prevents long-term damage and costly repairs as well as helping builders meet stringent standards set forth by Green Building Tax Credit and LEED certification programs.
Green practices generally aim to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon dioxide and other gases through ventilation and other measures, but some practices may compromise indoor air quality; for instance, some green building schemes offer credits for ventilation without necessarily guaranteeing better IAQ results due to an emphasis on emissions reduction rather than exposure reduction.
Materials
Green buildings aim to reduce carbon emissions caused by construction by employing energy-saving appliances and using renewable energies like solar and wind power.
Green buildings often incorporate materials that are sustainable, non-toxic and recyclable – including wood from responsibly managed forests, rapidly renewable plants such as bamboo and straw, hempcrete made with recycled metals, non-toxic flooring sealants and adhesives, among many others.
These materials are typically selected with consideration given to their full lifecycle, from raw material extraction through processing, manufacturing, distribution and repair/disposal. New innovations in green building include living materials such as self-mending concrete that incorporates bacteria that grow within its pores to strengthen and fill cracks.
Site Selection
Site selection is an essential element of green construction and can have lasting ramifications throughout a building’s lifetime. With careful consideration given to selecting suitable locations, site selection can reduce environmental impacts, decrease energy use and help meet sustainability goals.
Location can significantly impact a building’s design integration with natural habitats, energy consumption and occupant comfort. Therefore, it is crucial that sustainable site issues be considered during pre-design phase.
Buildings oriented towards prevailing winds and solar orientation help maximize energy efficiency. Furthermore, investigating site issues such as zoning requirements, soil conditions and water quality is also necessary to achieving maximum energy efficiency. A thorough due diligence investigation for commercial projects can save both time and money later; in addition to helping ensure environmental concerns don’t delay their projects; furthermore it ensures compliance with local codes.