Environmental Education

The Benefit of Green Building

With the growing concern regarding the global climate crisis over the past few years, the green building industry as gained attention as they change the face of the construction industry and introduce new standards in our building community. At times, it can seem as if sustainable building may just be a growing trend in the development industry, however, this movement in construction is an effective approach to meeting the demands of our time, with benefits that reach into three areas: environmental, economic and social.

Environmental

Reduced Emissions – One of the major contributors to the global climate change is the burning of fossil fuels for energy. Burning these fuels releases pollutants that cause air quality issues such as smog and acid rain, and can negatively impact human health. Fossil fuels also contribute to the growing hole in the ozone layer, directly correlated to the rising global temperature, causing environmental changes around the world. Green building techniques help reduce harmful emissions and increase energy efficiency by incorporating alternative sources of energy and utilizing renewable resources.

Temperature Moderation – The heat retention properties of materials such as concrete and asphalt are the primary cause of Urban Heat Island Effect, which is the tendency of an urban area to be hotter than its surroundings. Conscientious building design and site selection can help with this issue, as can the introduction of plant life and trees to new developments.

Stormwater Management – Without proper attention to stormwater management, heavy rains can cause waterway erosion and flooding. Stormwater can carry pollutants into water sources, potentially endangering the health of a population. Green building solutions can help control stormwater runoff by redirecting storm water, introducing permeable building materials and controlling overflow from roofs with green building roofing.

Economic

There is a common impression that sustainable building solutions are too expensive for most to consider. However, the truth is that the cost of green building is not that much higher than traditional building techniques, and can save a significant amount of money over the years in a variety of ways. Here are a few economic advantages

Increased property value- Low operating costs of green buildings are raising property values in the current economic market. Energy costs are rising, so homes already equipped with sustainable upgrades and low maintenance solutions will find that they are worth more than their traditional counterparts.

Lower energy costs- Green design provides many energy saving solutions which we had mentioned in the environmental benefits section, above, but lower energy costs is also an economic advantage, as it impacts the costs of maintaining a green building. Lower energy bills every month quickly make up the difference in cost for sustainable building.

Improved Work Environments- Green design often features an increase in natural lighting, ventilation and temperature attributes, and takes indoor air quality into high concern. This attention to detail results in a building environment that is healthier for the occupants, which helps improve work life for organizations housed in green buildings. Studies have shown that employee attendance, sales and productivity all have a positive correlation with green building features.

Social

Improved Health- We touched on improved indoor air quality in the economic section of this article, but this also falls as a social benefit because improved air quality results in improved health. Many buildings can suffer from a variety of indoor environment issues such as poor artificial lighting, temperature variances, high concentration of pollutants, mold buildup, and other problems which could cause major respiratory issues and other health concerns. Green buildings tend to emphasize low emissions, proper ventilation and non-toxic materials, creating a better environment for everyone.

Healthier Lifestyles- Sustainable building practices emphasize the conservation of nature, bringing attention to the outdoors and natural environments in our community. This attention promotes a healthier lifestyle involving nature conservation and personal health and fitness.

Improved Schools- When addressing how a buildings environment impacts the occupants, it is necessary to acknowledge the impact that poor school buildings are having on the children of our communities. As improved building environments increase productivity and work morale, it does the same with our kids in school. Green schools promote better learning atmospheres, reduce absenteeism, and promote the value of our planet.

As a part of the Olde Heritage team and home builders in the Raleigh NC area, the decision to stick to sustainable construction was based in our commitment to do our part in building a better future. We saw an opportunity to change the future of our industry by focusing on what we could do to conserve energy, promote our environment, give back to society and ensure a greener future for our kids. If you would like to learn more about what we are doing to promote green building in our area, visit our website at http://www.oldeheritage.com, or visit our partner site, http://www.shieldsofgreen.com, to see more about the conservation and sustainability movement in our area.

About the Author

About Olde Heritage

Olde Heritage Builders, located in Zebulon, North Carolina, provides sustainable solutions to housing in Raleigh and surrounding areas of NC. They dedicate their business and lives to promoting sustainable design and construction. For more information on Olde Heritage, visit their website at http://www.OldeHeritage.com or visit their parter site, Shields of Green (http://www.shieldsofgreen.com), to learn more about the green movement in North Carolina.

LEED Certified and Sustainable Building Solutions ~ Calvert-Jones