The Benefits of Green Building
Ultimately, a More Sustainable Building is Better Not Only for the Environment But Also Your Bottomline
When owners construct a new building, they have a lot to think about: budget, financing, physical constraints, permits and timelines. But often what gets overlooked is how to create a building that is beneficial not only for the environment but also the people who use the building every day.
Some owners plan to develop a building and sell for a profit in a few years. As a result, they are less interested in building and maintaining for the long term. They rarely consider a building with optimal energy efficiency over time or one protected from mold-causing water issues. Materials, construction methods and consultants might be selected with cost as the highest priority. Quality, durability and maintenance may not be as important as they would be for building owners planning to hold and maintain the property.
“I never anticipated buildings being demolished and put in landfills that were created in my lifetime,” said GHP’s Senior Vice President of Architecture, Mark L. Smith, AIA, LEED AP. “I think generally speaking, we built buildings to last 50-plus years, but I've witnessed in my career, buildings that are torn down in less than 20.”
There are Many Benefits to Constructing a Sustainable Building:
A higher-quality building that lasts longer is more valuable to investors
Lower carbon footprint and higher energy efficiency
Better for the environment
Healthier for the people living and/or working in the building
The Difference Between Green vs. Sustainable vs. Resilient
Buildings account for almost 40% of global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, so there’s great interest in making sure they’re environmentally efficient. But what does that mean?
The words “green” and “sustainable” are not interchangeable. “Green” refers to buildings and measures that benefit the environment, while “sustainable” refers to building certifications such as LEED. A “resilient” building is one that is designed to withstand natural disasters, a growing concern as global warming likely increases the intensity of storms.
Green Buildings Are Not as Expensive as You Think
The biggest misconception of green buildings is that they will be more expensive. But that isn’t necessarily the case. Though initial construction costs may be higher, building green can reduce energy costs by as much as 60% over the lifetime of a building.
There’s a strong business case for green construction. In the first five years, operating costs for new green buildings are reduced by 16.9%. And these gains aren’t limited to new builds. Green renovations and retrofits of existing buildings save 17% in operating costs over the first five years.
The Perils of Short-Term Thinking
Constructing any building is resource-intensive. Building one that’s less green means that after all those physical and financial resources you invested, that building may not last as long or perform as well. It may not be the best use of materials.
The investment in green building also makes properties themselves more valuable. Building owners report a 10% or greater increase in asset value, according to the U.S. Green Building Council. Since 2012, the percentage of owners reporting that level of growth has nearly doubled.
Green Buildings Perform Better Over Time
Over time, green buildings can function more efficiently and cost less to operate. They also are better for the environment and the people living and working there.
Green buildings often have better materials and a better constructed building envelope, minimizing or preventing water intrusion and saving energy. This has a ripple effect of benefits. For example, these types of buildings are less likely to have water penetrate the envelope and cause mold issues. That protects the building itself and the indoor air quality.
LEED Takes Care of the Building, and WELL Takes Care of its Inhabitants
LEED is the most widely used rating system for sustainable building in the world. It guides the design, construction and operation of sustainable buildings. LEED grew tremendously from 2000 to 2015, with slower growth in recent years. Previously, LEED certification’s post-occupancy verification was not as rigorous as it is today.
Getting your building LEED-certified is one way to ensure a sustainable building. Still, it doesn’t cover everything. While LEED focuses on the environmental impact of the building itself, sustainability goes further than that. Another certification, the WELL Building Standard, aims to benefit the people who use that building for work and/or living.
WELL Building Standard requires testing and verification when the building is new as well as throughout its lifecycle. If you want to keep up your WELL certification, you need to submit reporting every year.
Why a Green Building is Important for The Future
Green buildings go beyond your bottomline. They’re important for the environment. Two of the many benefits of a green building are diverting waste and saving energy.
A green building is also better for the health of people who live or work there. The environmentally friendly materials selected are often less toxic than materials that are selected without considering the effect that they might have on the environment and/or the residents and employees occupying or visiting the building. Residents and employees can breathe easier in an environmentally conscious building.