A ‘green’ building is a structure that is either converted or constructed from the blueprint to be environmentally safe and consumer friendly. They are usually created out of recycled (if applicable) materials wherever possible, and have either a positive impact on the Earth or a very slight carbon footprint, especially when compared to standard structures.
Regarding materials, green design is based on the idea to create high quality constructed buildings with a low environmental impact. More buildings with lighter footprints mean a healthier, longer-lasting planet, which is not only a win for the builder but one for the consumer and obviously the environment as well. Green structures rely on solar panels and off-the-grid environments to capitalize on the sun’s natural energy.
Using sustainable and natural resources as building materials is important because green construction isn’t just a matter of using certain resources to build; it’s about a cleaner Earth and using different building processes and materials to maximize savings, durability, and efficiency.
The boons of having a green home are numerous. The use of toxin-free materials helps to reduce indoor air pollution. The unhealthy air inside your home can pose severe risks to your health. A healthier and more natural home can mean less risk of airborne and other types of diseases, as well as (potentially) reduced medical bills and fewer days lost at work.
Another bonus is cost efficiency. The average costs of owning a green home versus a standard come in at being either slightly or significantly while still being very environmentally. However, they can cost more to build up front. If that is the case, it’s because engineers, designers, plumbers, electricians, and architects don’t have the experience to quickly and cost effectively build green homes yet, but that can and will change in time. Find out more by visiting the U.S. Green Building Council website.
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On average, the values of green homes are often significantly higher than their standard non-green counterparts. In New York City, an LEED-certified green high-rise apartment draws between fifteen and twenty percent higher monthly rent.
State, town, local and federal governments are offering more and more tax breaks to owners or contractors that own green-constructed or green-modified homes. These tax breaks are not only an incentive to design your home with the green mentality but also to add more LEED certified green features to your home.
As previously stated, green homes are far more environmentally friendly. Home and residential cooling and heating make up for more than 25 percent of the United States’ annual energy use. Not to mention appliances and other forms of electronic equipment that are commonly used. With all of that in mind, houses make up for more than 40 percent of the United States’ yearly energy consumption!
The environmentally friendly attitude that greenhouses possess extends to water conservation, not just electricity conservation. Far more efficient plumbing, shower, and bath fixtures and water-conserving irrigation systems also contribute to saving more water than standard homes.
All in all, the green structure mindset is more than an architectural or money saving technique, it is also a way of life that is dedicated to prolonging the life of the Earth, bettering the community, and saving the environment.