The adoption of green technology in construction is an integral part of a growing movement to build better buildings and promote sustainable business practices. These innovations can make your construction company stand out from competitors and give it a fresh new image.
Green construction can range from using energy-saving appliances to more sophisticated systems such as geothermal heating and cooling. Implementing these features into a building not only leads to significant financial savings but also adds long-term value for its owner.
Energy Efficiency
Adopting green technology in construction is an integral component of the industry’s move toward more sustainable practices. Not only can it reduce costs for building owners and contractors, but it also contributes to improving the environment.
One of the most essential ways to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions is through improved building energy efficiency. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), buildings account for roughly one-third of global energy consumption.
You can achieve this through the installation of low-energy building materials, equipment and systems that use less energy during construction and operation. Alternatively, it’s possible to utilize renewable energy sources like solar panels or wind power.
Energy-efficient buildings not only save money on heating, cooling, ventilation and lighting costs but they also reduce carbon dioxide emissions and indoor air pollution. Furthermore, green-built buildings create healthier environments for building occupants which may have positive effects on their health and well-being.
Water Efficiency
The introduction of green technology in construction has made it simpler to conserve water. This not only has domestic, industrial and global benefits for water conservation, but it also lowers the cost to deliver clean drinking water.
Buildings can improve their water efficiency by installing low-flow fixtures, decreasing piping diameters and installing a greywater system to reuse wastewater for landscape irrigation. Smart green technologies like micro drip systems and sensors to detect water leaks also enhance these measures’ effectiveness.
Water is a precious resource, yet its supply is finite. To conserve and efficiently utilize this resource, the US Environmental Protection Agency estimates that using certain techniques could result in an energy reduction of 20% for water heating purposes.
Indoor Air Quality
The rise of green technology in construction has created a renewed emphasis on indoor air quality. This is because occupants spend much of their time indoors, and the quality of their indoor air may have an effect on their health.
Pollutants released by human activities such as smoking, cooking, cleaning and redecorating can linger in the air either continuously or intermittently. When buildings are not adequately ventilated, pollutants may build up over time.
Many of these pollutants are hazardous to humans and may cause both short- and long-term health effects like respiratory diseases, heart disease and cancer.
Fortunately, there are a variety of tools and strategies available to improve indoor air quality. These include source control (eliminating or reducing emissions of individual pollutants) and ventilation (bringing in more outdoor air to dilute emissions from indoor sources).
Materials
The rise of green technology in construction is an essential step toward creating a more sustainable and eco-friendly built environment. Additionally, it provides investors with greater returns by saving energy and cutting overall building operating expenses.
Though some environmental construction methods may be pricier than traditional ones, their advantages are substantial and long-lasting. For instance, lean construction techniques offer cost efficiency while reducing waste on the job site.
Furthermore, green building materials are less toxic and contain fewer VOCs than their conventional counterparts. This enhances Indoor Air Quality while limiting exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals such as benzene, formaldehyde, and lead.
Other essential green building materials include reclaimed wood, recycled metal (such as copper), and rapidly renewable plant material. When combined with other sustainable building practices to produce an eco-friendly yet cost-effective structure.