Green Building

Statistics will sell you on Green!

When we hear new residential projects or a new commercial business or store being built, we immediately get enthusiastic over the prospect of expansion in the area. Our initial reaction is excitement over the idea of better shopping and schools or more jobs becoming available. While this is all true, seldom do people think of the impacts that these new buildings will have on our environment. These impacts are not all positive.

Buildings consume vast amount of energy, water and electricity. In the United States alone, buildings are responsible for 38% of the carbon dioxide emissions, 39% of total energy use, and 12% of water consumption. The surprisingly high figure was the 68% of total electricity consumption, which comes from buildings.

Green Is Being Energy Efficient

By “building green”, we can strive to get the maximum energy efficiency in our properties and protect our great outdoors for generations to come. Each year the percentage of land that is getting developed increases. If we become aware and promote the benefits of Green Buildings, then we can initiate a move toward building more energy efficient properties. Considering there are over 1.8 billion residential buildings and over 170,000 commercial buildings built each year, we can definitely make a difference in our environment.

Commercial and Residential building usage of resources in the United States (as of Dec 2006):-

Buildings used up 39.4 of total energy consumption. 45.4% of this was from commercial buildings and 54.6% from residential buildings.
Buildings used up 67.9% of electricity consumption, with 48.8% of it being from commercial buildings and 51.2% from residential buildings.
Of the 38.1% total carbon dioxide emissions, 17.5% is from commercial buildings and 20.6% from residential buildings.
Commercial buildings used 25.6% of the 12.2% total water consumed by buildings and residential buildings used 74.4%.

Poor Air Quality

Our indoor environment is also at risk every day from normal, every day living conditions. Pollutant levels are much higher indoors than they are outdoors and since Americans spend over 90% of their time indoors, our health and well-being as a whole is at risk until things change. Some pollutants are combustion sources, building materials, household cleaners, personal care, maintenance products, central heating and air conditioning units, radon, pesticides.

Schools have reported poor indoor air quality as well as poor ventilation. Many of the pollutants such as molds, dust mites, pet hair, etc are known to cause or trigger asthma and radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer. It is vital to be aware of all the old properties that still have lead-based paint in them.

SIPs Promote Healthier Living

Schools built by the method of Green Building, specifically with Structural Insulated Panels (SIPs) have a proven better attendance record. The attendance records are better because students aren't out sick due to allergies, etc. This, in turn, contributes to better academic scores. The same is said for factories, which report better attendance and production out of their workers when the building is healthier and more energy efficient.

Green Building is one way of changing these negative factors into positives and giving us healthier living. By Green Building, we are gaining an energy savings of at least 30%, water use savings of 30-50% and a waste cost savings of 50-90%.

Planning is Key With Green Building

Developers and construction companies are taking advantage of the efficiency of Green Building from the initial phase of building by choosing a building site that will be conserving energy. One example is a site that is close to public transportation and already in a commercial or residential area. Many don't understand how this will make a difference. If building near public transportation such as city buses, people will take the bus rather than their own vehicle. One bus, for instance, will use up less energy and pollute the environment less than 30 vehicles transporting each individual to and from work, school or appointments.

Once the actual construction has started, developers are using their expertise in Green Building to economize on the upkeep of the home as well as making it environmentally efficient and healthy in many ways: -

They use natural plants that require little or no pesticides, water and maintenance for landscape. While this doesn't appear to be of much importance, over the lifetime of the building, it will make a huge difference.
The use of natural lighting, solar energy, reusable and recyclable building materials allow for low energy costs, cleaner energy costs and less waste of materials.
They are designing their rooms on 4-foot multiples to conform to standard sized wallboard and plywood sheets. This will save time on building and cut back on the amount of building materials being wasted. SIPs are built for maximum efficiency and ease, so there is less waste.
They are designing dual plumbing for recycled water or a system that will recover rainwater.

SIPs Form The Basis OF Green Building

The use of Structural Insulated Panels, also known as SIPs, will help to make a building more energy efficient from beginning of construction as well as through the life of the building. SIPs are more efficient than 'stick built' homes for many reasons. Green buildings built with SIPs are stronger, quieter and more draft free because of using rigid insulation, which allows less air movement than fiberglass insulation. The use of mechanical ventilation helps to eliminate fumes and unhealthy gases. They have also been proven more effective in testing of performance against fires.

Structural Insulated Panels are lighter in weight and easier to handle, thus not requiring a huge crew to lift and install the wall panels, etc. So important are SIPS in our environment, that there are mortgage loans are now available for homeowners using green building with Structural Insulated Panels. Hopefully this will encourage more people and businesses to turn towards Green Building and SIPS.