Green Building and its Advantages

A ?green? building is a building that, in its design, construction or operation, reduces or eliminates negative impacts, and can create positive impacts, on our climate and natural environment. Green buildings preserve precious natural resources and improve our quality of life.

In this article we are going to discuss about the concept, key features and the advantages and cost incurred in making of Green Building.

Concept of Green Buidling

Green buildings are designed to reduce the overall impact of the built environment on human health and natural environment by:

a. Efficiently using energy, water and other resources.
b. Protecting occupant?s health and improving employee productivity.
c. Reducing waste, pollution and environment degradation.

The green building concept is gaining importance in various countries. These are buildings that ensure that waste is minimized at every stage during the construction and operation of the building, resulting in low costs according to the experts in the technology.

Key Features of Green Building

The key features of Green Building are mentioned below:

1. Minimal disturbance to landscapes and site condition
2. Use of non-toxic and recycled / recyclable material
3. Efficient use of water and water recycling
4. Use of energy efficient and eco-friendly equipment's
5. Use of renewable energy
6. Quality of indoor air quality for human safety and comfort
7. Effective controls and building management systems.

Checking the efficiency of Green Building

Energy efficiency is good for the environment, but more so it is an important cost saving component for any business, facility management or homeowner?s budget. On an annual basis, commercial buildings in the U.S. consume 68% of America?s electricity and 39% of its total energy.

US GB Council has standardised a set of ratings known as Leadership in Environmental Design (LEED). LEED ?s function is to rate green buildings how much energy efficient they are, and their impact on environment.

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Advantages of Green Buidling.

Green building uses an integrative project approach which brings people together at the front end to collaborate and share ideas that can enhance building performance and save money during construction and building operation. The advantages of Green Building are discussed below:

1. Environmental benefits

The most important benefit of green building is that which it offers to our environment. It positively influences our climate and overall ecosystem by reducing water use and energy sources that pollute our environment, such as coal and carbon dioxide discharged into the atmosphere. Green building not only decreases water wastage, but preserves natural resources, defends biodiversity and enhances our air and water quality. Green building also reduces your carbon footprint by producing less waste and decreasing the amount of toxic gases set free into the air. In this way, the pace of climate change is slowed down, and a positive contribution to saving our environment is made.

2. Cost efficiency and economic benefits

Saving the environment actually saves you money. It provides you with several economic and cost-effective benefits. These include decreased operating costs, enhanced occupant efficiency and savings on tenant utility bills. Moreover, it enhances your return on assets and profits due to your savings in operating costs.

3. Health benefits

Going green means building away bad toxins and having the ability to breathe in fresh, clean air. Having a good indoor environment protects the tenant?s health and enhances their quality of life by avoiding serious illnesses induced by the inhalation of toxic substances.

An improved indoor quality not only safeguards your life, but it can also strengthen employee productivity. Employees working in clean and green built properties tend to have better concentration and focus capabilities, improving their work performance.

4. Reduced Carbon Footprint

Keep project and the environment clean and green by producing less waste and reducing the release of harmful gasses.

5. Increased Property Values

Green built properties are in demand for their sustainable components that lower maintenance costs and keep those within it smiling, feeling guilt-free, and healthy. So, as the saying goes go green, and then get the green in return!

Green Buildings don?t cost more

Green buildings are commonly perceived to be a lot more expensive than conventional buildings and often not worth the extra cost. The points given below proves green building cost are cheaper.

High-performing buildings can be sold at a premium, with the average green building worth 7 percent more than its traditional counterpart.

Green buildings, on average, are 14 percent less costly to operate than traditional buildings, with most new builds today achieving significantly more energy savings than that.

In case of commercial buildings, air-conditioning and lighting are a major cost. A lot of money also goes towards setting up the large air-conditioning units and power backup systems, which also consume real estate. But considering the basic structure of Green Building in a way that reduces dependence on air-conditioning and artificial lighting, then it will bring down the initial construction cost of the building as well as its operating costs.

Green Building and its Global Presence

The Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) have registered 5,400 projects amounting to a total footprint of 7.61 billion sq. Ft.

Further, according to an official of the US Green Building Council (USGBC), green projects in India at present are rapidly growing at a rate of 20-30% on an annual basis. In a survey conducted by the USGBC, it was found that almost 87% of Indian green building professionals are positive about the increase and implementation of LEED in India.

4,487+ qualified IGBC Accredited Green Building Professionals and more than 30,000 stakeholders have been trained by IGBC till date.

The advantages of green building extend far beyond finances and the ecosystem; its benefits people on a social level. People are healthier and enjoy an improved quality of life. Employees are more productive as they work in a cleaner and better working environment. Finally, the cycle concludes as the increased productivity leads to a better economy.

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