Buildings across the country consume a variety of resources (energy, water, materials, etc.), generate waste (construction, residents, etc.) and release emissions into the atmosphere. Building owners also often face the challenge of meeting ever-changing demands for new, upgraded facilities that are accessible, safe and healthy. While minimizing the impact on the environment. Therefore, choosing a sustainable building design can reduce operating costs and carbon dioxide emissions and increase the resilience of the building.
Energy efficient building
Energy use in the United States typically includes air conditioning, heating, ventilation, lighting, and facility support. All commercial buildings consume resources, generate waste and cause pollution, but over the years they have become less economical and labor-intensive. According to the
EPA, US buildings occupy:
36% of total energy consumption
65% of total power consumption
12% of total water consumption
30% of total CO2 emissions
60% of total non-industrial waste generated (due to construction and demolition)
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, about 30% of the energy used in commercial buildings is wasted. This gives building owners and managers a great opportunity to save on operating costs through the concept of sustainable buildings.
Environmentally friendly design for efficient use of energy and resources aims to reduce resource depletion, reduce pollution and create a safe and productive environment for the people who live and work there. .. Green buildings use natural resources with minimal impact on the environment. They are beneficial to the community and the environment, socially responsible and therefore reputable, and are often the most economical and best operational choice for businesses. The
EPA states that green buildings are designed to mitigate the overall impact of the built environment on human health and the natural environment in the following ways:
Protect the health of residents and improve employee productivity
Reduction of waste, pollution and environmental degradation
As a leader in power technology, KMB strives to balance the needs of these areas by providing results-focused designs and solutions.
Definition of green building
The concept of green building can be broadly defined as having a minimal impact on the environment. It is constantly evolving. A green sustainable building, also known as a
green building, is an environmentally friendly, resource-efficient process structure and use throughout the building’s life cycle (from installation to design, construction, operation, maintenance, refurbishment, and demolition). Points to. One with minimal impact on the environment.
Ideally, the green building preserves and restores the surrounding habitat that is vital for sustaining life and then becomes a net producer and exporter of resources, materials, energy and water (rather than being a net consumer). Green building construction and operation assures the healthiest and most efficient (meaning least disruptive) use of land, water, energy and resources.
Six Fundamental Principles of Sustainable Building Design
While the definition of sustainable building design is ever changing, the National Institute of Building Sciences defines six fundamental principles.
Optimize Site Potential
Optimize Energy Use
Protect and Conserve Water
Optimize Building Space and Material Use
Enhance Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)
Optimize Operational and Maintenance Practices
- Optimize location potential
Whether you’re designing a new building or remodeling an existing building, the success of your project begins with integrating your site design with sustainable design and choosing the right site, including rehabilitation of your existing building. is needed. Building locations, orientations and landscaping all affect the local ecosystem, transportation methods and energy use. According to the
WBDG Sustainable Commission, “Sustainable building locations need to reduce, control, and / or treat storm water runoff. Wherever possible, during landscaping, in the area. Aim to support endemic flora and fauna.”
- Optimize energy consumption
Improving the energy efficiency of existing buildings is important for increasing our energy independence. Operating a Net Zero Energy Building is one way to significantly reduce your reliance on fossil fuel energy.
- Water protection and conservation
Freshwater resources in the United States are increasingly scarce. Sustainable building design and construction is the efficient use of water to minimize its impact on freshwater resources. In addition, sustainable construction and building design should facilitate water recycling practices in specific on-site projects, if possible.
- Optimize building space and material use
As the world’s population continues to grow, the use of natural resources (and their demand) continues to grow. Sustainable buildings are designed and operated to use and reuse materials in the most productive and sustainable ways throughout their life cycle.
Sustainable materials can also be used to minimize environmental impacts such as global warming, resource depletion and toxicity. According to wbdg.org, “Green Materials reduce human health and environmental impact, improve worker safety and health, reduce liability claims and reduce disposal costs.”
- Indoors Improved quality (IEQ)
The indoor environmental quality (IEQ) of a building has a significant impact on the health, comfort and productivity of its occupants. Among other attributes, sustainable buildings maximize sunlight, provide adequate ventilation and humidity control, optimize acoustic performance, and avoid the use of high VOC emission materials.
Different buildings require different measures, but HVAC changes can greatly help improve the quality of commercial air.
6 Optimizing Operational and Maintenance Practices
Building owners face unique challenges to meet the growing demand for new or refurbished sustainable building designs that are consistent with a safe, secure and productive environment. doing.
By working together, engineers, architects, and other contractors can specify materials and systems that simplify operations and reduce maintenance. On-site and within the facility, these practices are not only aimed at reducing water and energy requirements and reducing toxic chemicals required, but are also cost-effective and reduce life cycle costs. ..
Power engineering company makes an impression
Ultimately, the integration of sustainable architecture and engineering can improve energy efficiency and have a direct impact on the environment, society and economy. With experience in multiple LEED projects and energy-intensive markets, KMB experts have proposed environmentally friendly practices for all projects, based on historical evidence of practical and economic outcomes. I am trying to do it. Is Green Building one of the strategies for the next commercial building project?
