What Are the Benefits of Green Building Techniques Materials?
Are you planning a renovation project in your home soon? Perhaps a kitchen remodel, an expansion of a bathroom, or an addition for a growing family? Or maybe you are considering a larger project like building your home from the ground up!
No matter the scope of your next home improvement project, there will always be some construction considerations, should you decide to build with the environment in mind. Green building materials and techniques can not only save you money in the long run, but will allow for some pretty amazing conservation and efficiency benefits along the way.
In our last blog, we discussed some eco-friendly building materials that our clients may want to consider. Today, we are taking a deeper look at the “why” behind using eco-friendly products, materials, and techniques.
Top Green Building Benefits: Conservation, Efficiency, & Cost
While there is a rather lengthy list of reasons why homeowners choose to subscribe to environmentally conscious building, it usually comes down to cost, conservation, and efficiency as to why they jump aboard the green building trend.
Conserve Energy & Save Money
By far, this is the top reason why businesses and homeowners choose to build with the environment in mind.
Energy can be conserved in a couple of major ways. First, there is less waste when using sustainable materials during construction products that end up in landfills. This alone is a huge benefit to using green materials and techniques. Secondly, by using techniques, methods, and materials that are more efficient, such as low-flow toilets, green insulating materials that result in a better insulated home, eco-friendly heating systems, on-demand water heaters, and programmable thermostats, we can all conserve water and energy for years. (MyMove.com)
An often overlooked area to save money is in home or business insurance. The Zebra reports that, “Forward-thinking home insurers may cut your bill as much as 5 to 10% if you use natural building practices to reduce your home’s energy consumption.”
Believe it or not, by conserving our planet’s resources, you are not only helping Mother Earth but your wallet as well.
Reduction of Your Carbon Footprint
We hear quite a bit about how the world needs to reduce its carbon footprint without a blueprint on how to do that. When you are renovating, remodeling, or adding on to your home, you have the chance to reduce your carbon footprint with the choices you make.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), buildings, including residential and commercial structures account for 30% of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. By increasing sustainability choices during the building process there is an opportunity to do something positive for businesses, homeowners, and society as a whole.
Save Precious Resources
While it may feel like we are surrounded by fresh, clean water, it is one of our most precious resources that we need to conserve for the future of our planet. In fact, roughly 1.7 trillion gallons of water is wasted worldwide due to leaks, running toilets, dripping faucets, and misuse.
By installing water efficient plumbing such as low-flow shower heads, water-saving faucets, pressure reducing valves, high efficiency toilets, and recirculating hot water systems, homeowners and business owners can help save this resource, one building at a time.
Better Health
One bonus to using green materials in your next renovation may be something you have yet to consider- your health.
According to studies reported by New School of Architecture & Design, “people who reside in green structures experience a myriad of health benefits due to the eco-friendly materials utilized in construction.” They cite examples such as how green buildings avoid using building materials that may contain harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or plastic by-products which have been known to release toxic fumes and carcinogens into the atmosphere. Sadly, these hazardous materials are linked to respiratory disease, allergies, and other health disorders, and in extreme cases, an increased risk of cancer.
Need more reasons to incorporate green building materials? Check out the components of green building and funding options on the Environmental Protection Agency website.
