Throughout the past decade, there has been a global push by consumers and manufacturers to start using so-called “green” materials to sustainably design buildings and preserve our environment in the process. This includes a trend towards green building for residential and commercial properties. Read along to learn more about its uses and many benefits.
A Brief Look at Green Building
What is Green Building?
Green building can be simply understood as the use of sustainable, ecologically-friendly materials to create a structure with a low environmental impact without using non-renewable natural resources.
The Environmental Protection Agency defines it as “the practice of creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building’s life cycle from siting to design, operation, maintenance, renovation and deconstruction.”
The primary goal of the green building strategy is to improve factors like:
- Energy efficiency
- Air quality
- Waste reduction
- Pollution
- Natural resource production
- Water efficiency
Today, there is such a strong focus on environmental protection, so it’s not difficult to see how a practice like this can gain popularity. Not only will it protect the environment, it is also aimed at improving the quality of life for all.
How Much will it Cost You?
One of the biggest criticisms for those opposed to green building are the steep up-front costs for materials, products and tools. What these individuals fail to consider is all of the money that you’ll save down the line by using these materials, which is one of the core advantages of implementing this kind of building method.
That’s why you should look at it as a long-term investment opportunity. Buildings like these are usually entirely energy-efficient and can sometimes even produce their own energy to power your home or commercial property.
When you have your own on-site renewable energy source, you will save a boatload of money throughout the lifecycle of your home. Your investment won’t only benefit your wallet, it will also greatly benefit the environment that surrounds it.
Making Green Building Work for You
The actual construction of a green building is quite the endeavor. The fact is that most people already have a home or office and don’t exactly have the opportunity to start from scratch to rebuild it energy-efficiently. Therefore, there are a few improvements you can make to a preexisting residential or commercial property to make it more “green.”
Some of these innovations include:
- Smart, wireless climate control
- Energy-saving computers and appliances
- Efficient windows, shades and blinds
- Smart lighting
- Fluorescent or CFL light bulbs
- Recyclable materials
- Low-flow showerheads
- Composting
After learning more about green building, you can start considering implementing some of these technologies in your own properties to save both your wallet and the environment.
