The Need For Green Building: Green Technology For Commercial Buildings
“Going green” hasn’t been much of a priority in the past. People used to think that climate change and other environmental issues were either not that big of a deal or just refused to acknowledge it. Today, however, the state of the environment has a spotlight on it, and more and more industries have been thinking up new methods, techniques, and technology to help save it — construction is no exception.
The Effect Of Construction To The Environment
The resurgence of growth the construction industry is experiencing is kind of like a double-edged sword. One the one hand, business is booming — and both general contracting gigs and trade-specific jobs are raking in money; on the other hand, the spike in construction projects has had a terrible effect on the environment.
One useful feature of project management tools is efficiently managing construction materials during a project, like construction scheduling software and subcontractor scheduling software in effectively scheduling crew members. This will significantly help because the quantity and size of equipment and resources regularly used in construction projects have adverse effects on both the environment and public health. For example, some construction materials, such as steel and aluminum, emit large quantities of CO2, a harmful gas released into the atmosphere. The mere extraction of raw materials is “hurting” the world. Not to mention the physical destruction of land to put up buildings — trees are uprooted or cut down, dozers and excavators level the ground, and buildings fill up space. That is why managing materials and properly disposing of construction waste is a must in every construction site.
In the US alone, the construction sector is responsible for 25% or 160 million tons of non-industrial waste in a year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). To be specific, the construction sector accounts for 23% of air pollution, 40% of drinking water pollution, 50% of landfill wastes, and 50% of climate change, according to Bimhow in 2013.
Furthermore, research by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) shows that the industry consumes about 40% of the world’s energy. It’s estimated that emissions from commercial buildings will grow by 1.8% by 2030.
These numbers show that the construction industry must change its ways to answer the environment’s problems right now.
What is “Green Building?”
One of the most outstanding solutions the industry has introduced to address the environmental issues is green building. As a practice, it’s essentially using resource-efficient and environment-centered methods in creating and maintaining structures, from their siting to their design, construction, operation and maintenance, renovation, and even destruction. The practice employs these methods while also meeting the classic building requirements of comfort, utility, durability, and economy. As a structure, green buildings embody the practice and are considered sustainable or high-performing.
What makes a building green?
Constructing a “green” building is not as simple as installing solar panels and have them run the structure. So, to ensure that green buildings are true to their name, the EPA released a list of components they should have:
● Energy efficiency and renewable energy;
● Water efficiency;
● Environmentally preferable building materials and specifications;
● Waste reduction;
● Toxics reduction;
● Indoor air quality; and
● Smart growth and sustainable development.
This list will aid in the planning, designing, and constructing these buildings from a construction perspective. With the help of an effective builder schedule, contractors and their crew will be able to construct a truly green building.
In addition to the EPA’s guidelines, LEED also decides whether a building is environmentally green.
LEED or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design is the most widely used rating system recognized globally to certify buildings to be green or not. This provides a framework for green buildings to be highly efficient, cost-saving, and healthy.
Moreover, LEED is available to types of buildings (like schools and houses) and building phases (like interior fit-outs, new construction, core and shell, and operations, and maintenance)
Green Advances For Commercial Buildings
Green practices and advances used to be limited to residential areas, as it was thought to be too expensive to be integrated into commercial buildings. But because of several innovations, many businesses are now choosing the eco-friendly route, as it proves to be more cost-efficient in the long run.
- Living walls and green roofs
Living walls and green roofs are not new but have usually been put up for the sake of design and aesthetics. However, plants are excellent low-tech ways to up the green factor in and out of buildings.
Installing garden systems outside the building can help reduce heating and cooling costs as it can help insulate it. Living walls (also called biowalls), specifically, reflect solar radiation and absorb rainwater. They even absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, thus improving air quality. These systems also save water costs as they can be maintained with greywater, water used from bathing, laundry, and dishwashing.
2. Chiller boiler systems
HVAC systems are vital in commercial buildings because they provide comfort to the occupants. Unfortunately, these systems pull more energy than anything else in commercial buildings. More than that, air conditioning emits tons of carbon dioxide.
One energy-saving alternative is a chiller boiler system. While traditional HVAC systems heat and cold with forced air, chiller boiler systems use water. Because these systems are hydronic, they are more efficient because water gives even temperatures.
Like radiators, chiller boiler systems are attached to the building’s water supply and uses radiant heat to provide heat. Rather than blowing hot air into the room, it gives off heat from water-filled aluminum and copper pipes.
Chiller boiler systems work better in smaller commercial buildings.
3. Dual plumbing/Dual piping systems
Dual plumbing systems are specifically designed for water conservation. They separate water into two types: potable, which is safe for washing, cooking, and drinking, and reclaimed, which was sewage or wastewater. Although it sounds disgusting, reclaimed water is cleaned to eliminate any solid waste and is treated to remove any harmful bacteria. This “cured” water can now be used to flush toilets and landscape irrigation.
The drawback to having two plumbing systems is that it isn’t cheap to maintain. Also, not all systems are equipped to use reclaimed water.
But there is a cheaper option. Alternatively, a system can use greywater, which is generated from the building itself. Another advantage of this is that there are a variety of ways this kind of system can be set up. One option is also to have two plumbing systems where rainwater is collected to irrigate plants or fill toilets; another way is to install special toilet-sink combinations that transfer used water from the sink to the toilet.
4. Recycled and sustainable insulation
A building has to be insulated to be energy-efficient, and the common material for building insulation is fiberglass. While effective, it can be irritating, release toxic fumes, contain formaldehyde, making it counterproductive.
Fortunately, several other options on the market are safe and probably don’t cost as much. Companies are getting creative and using different materials, like old denim, recycled plastic milk bottles, and even newspapers. Plus, these alternative materials are fume-free and treated to be fire retardant.
Some manufacturers have even turned to plants to make insulation panels. Structural insulated panels (SIP) are prefabricated panels that consist of straw used in agriculture. Flax and hemp are also getting attention as insulation alternatives. They are fast-growing plants and don’t need to be chemically treated.
5. Passive solar building design
When the topic of solar power is brought up, people’s minds immediately go to solar panels or tiles, which are considerably costly. But there is a cheaper alternative that doesn’t require any device, hence the term passive solar building design.
In essence, buildings that use passive solar design have large windows and deciduous plants on the southern side. This structure maximizes sunlight during winter and shade in the summer. Additionally, materials with high thermal mass, like concrete and tile, are used because they retain heat well.
Although initial investment and long-term pay-off are lower, this method does require intricate and careful planning, from location and size to window and wall types to the plants needed for shade. First, look at the sun’s path as its rays hit the building, and not just the way it rises and sets but its “movement” across the sky and its positions throughout the year. Then, consider design factors like insolation, solar radiation, and surface area absorbs, influenced by sun rays and climate. Because of the process’s complexity, designers usually use software to calculate the best materials and placement.
Aside from low installation costs, passive solar design can save building money because it cuts back on HVAC and lighting usage.
The Bottomline
Since the beginning of time, construction has been such a big part of the world. It began out of sheer necessity with building shelter; then, it has evolved to the monster of an industry it is today. Not only do we build for safety but also comfort, economy, and utility.
But because the industry has become so large, it has significantly affected the environment negatively. However, being such a significant industry, construction can also save the planet by altering its ways and taking the eco-friendly path.
If construction companies see going green as something more than a trend, there is still hope.
