Most of us are concerned about sustaining our planet’s resources. That goal entails many factors, including recycling, saving energy, reducing carbon emissions, and building more sustainable buildings. 

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports that there is a dire need to transition to sustainability in land, energy, buildings, transportation, and cities in general in order to meet the global carbon footprint goals. That’s why there has been an overwhelming shift in construction to green building in recent years. That trend is expected to continue indefinitely.

Why Sustainable Building Is Better

green building benefits

With the ever-increasing global population, it has become critical to find more sustainable solutions, especially in urban areas. Cities with densely populated areas emit a lot of harmful pollutants and create great volumes of waste. The shift to sustainable communities is becoming a trend that is increasingly growing. 

There are many advantages to building sustainable homes and commercial structures. We'll cover a few of the major ones here.

1. Cost

Although building green may cost a little more than other methods, the long-term benefits make it worthwhile. Green buildings are valued higher than those built with traditional methods. Owners of green buildings report a 10 percent or greater increase in asset value.

The overall maintenance and operating expenses are greatly reduced, saving lots of money with lower energy and water bills. Studies show that green buildings reduce those bills by up to a third of what they’d cost for buildings constructed using traditional methods.

2. Energy Efficiency

One goal of green building is to reduce the dependence on energy from non-renewable sources. They use design features like solar panels and windows that let in more sunshine, decreasing the need for electricity

According to the EPA, heating and cooling accounts for about 43 percent of all energy use in the country, which contributes to air pollution and generates the largest amounts of greenhouse gases. By improving energy efficiency, green buildings also help reduce indoor air pollutants related to serious health issues.

3. Improved Indoor Environment

The quality of the inside of a green building is heightened, making the environment healthier and more comfortable for its occupants. The improved lighting, air quality, and thermal conditions make for a less stressful and more enjoyable environment for all who enter.

Better indoor air quality goes a long way in improving the productivity of employees. Absenteeism is lower because employees are healthier and happier. 

4. Water Conservation

A clean water supply is something many of us take for granted. However, it’s important to conserve our use of this valuable resource to ensure the current and future generations continue to have a reliable amount of clean water. Green building uses alternative sources like rainwater, as well as minimizing waste by installing efficient plumbing fixtures.

5. Healthier Conditions

The building sector has the largest potential for significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions compared to other major emitting sectors. Sustainable construction uses substances and materials that are safer for the environment and those who occupy the building. That means that nothing used in the construction of the building releases toxic substances that can be harmful to those individuals who live or work there. 

6. Material Efficiency

Fewer materials are used in constructing a green building and the construction process produces less waste. That is accomplished by using products that are long-lasting, recyclable, and/or reusable. The construction processes concentrate on using less water, raw materials, and energy. 

7. Improves Overall Air Quality

By using products that don’t pollute the environment, green building reduces the number of toxic elements floating through the air. It decreases the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, thus slowing the speed of climate change.

8. Sustains Local Resources

There is a limit to the natural resources that will be available in the future if we continue to overuse them. By building greener, it improves energy and resource efficiency, reducing the amount used. LEED projects are responsible for diverting more than 80 million tons of waste from landfills, and by 2030 that number is expected to grow to 540 million tons.

9. Boosts the Economy

Over the years, millions of jobs have been created and hundreds of billions of dollars have been generated in the green building industry. There is a bill that was introduced recently in the Senate that would upgrade existing non-sustainable government buildings to green buildings. If passed, it will generate millions of dollars and jobs and improve the quality of life for many government employees. 

Go Green with RT Construction

If you’re looking for a home that’s healthier, more energy-efficient, and more cost-effective, call on the green building experts at RT Construction. We are LEED certified, employing the standards and principles to build your green home from the ground up or renovate it to meet sustainable goals.

Give us a call today to discuss how we can give you the home of your dreams and save the planet at the same time!

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