Examples of Green Building Techniques

One way that many people are now going ahead with green building is through the use of solar panels. These panels take advantage of renewable natural resources to power the building, which is much more energy efficient than using electricity. Other techniques include having native plants in the building, as they clean the air and do not require much water to keep alive, the use of packed gravel instead of concrete, as this allow for the ground water in the area to be replenished, and keeping trees on the property. All of these elements of building green might seem minor, but they make a huge difference when they are done on a large scale. You will definitely find that your building will be a happier place if you are able to take advantage of these techniques and keep your building as green as possible. These sustainable materials are definitely a good thing to have around because they will keep doing good for the environment, even when you are not around to keep an eye on them.

Another way that people are taking the initiative and going green is by reducing the amount of energy that they use. A popular was of reducing the amount of electricity that a building uses is to strategically place windows in places that will provide the maximum amount of natural light for the building. If windows are placed in the right spots, you will not need to have lights on during the day, which will cut down on the amount of energy that you are using significantly. You can also plant trees in areas that will shade the roof of the building, which will help to keep the building cool during the summer. This is significant because you will not have to fire up the air conditioner as often, as the building will not get as hot. Cutting down on the amount of time that the air conditioner is running is definitely a major step and can save a lot of money. Geothermal heat is another environmentally friendly invention, as natural gas will not be needed to heat the home during the winter months.

By reducing waste, individuals can make significant strides with their green buildings, as this waste does a lot of damage to the environment. The amount of waste that is given off by a building starts in the construction phase, so it is important to limit how much waste is present while the actual building is being created. During this stage, the end goal should be to limit how much waste is going to a landfill, so using recyclable materials is a major step in this situation. Anything that you can keep out of the landfill is a positive for this project, so try to use as much of this waste on other projects as possible. Some buildings also implement a system where their waste water is used for other things. For example, the extra water from the washing machine can be collected and used to irrigate crops if it is treated properly. While having a water treatment system in the building is expensive and is actually not all that environmentally friendly, turning this extra water into fertilizer is eco smart and will definitely show a cost benefit for your building, especially if you are able to use this water on your property.

Companies that put this extra effort into this cause will definitely see the benefits because it will save them money once they reduce this unneeded waste. Many people forget about small things like recycling used water but over time, this can have a significant impact on the environment. This is especially true in an office type of setting, as countless people will be using the resources that are available there. If the resources are sustainable, the office will see profits increase because they will not be wasting as many materials or paying for expensive natural resources. The less you waste, the higher you can expect your employees to perform as well, as much of this waste can actually slow down their productivity. An important thing to keep in mind in this situation is that wasting energy and producing more carbon dioxide can actually have a negative impact on these employees both physically and mentally.

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