As politicians struggle to find ways to combat climate change, businesses and regular citizens have begun to take matters into their own hands. The construction industry is no exception. Construction sites can generate a lot of waste, overuse energy and materials energy and contribute to carbon production. Green construction aims to mitigate these destructive tendencies. So, what is green construction? In this article, we’ll find out.
The Use Of Sustainable Materials
By choosing local materials with a lower carbon footprint, it’s possible to reduce the amount of carbon produced as a result of the building process. Utilizing more durable building materials limits the need for replacements or repairs as well as reducing the quantity of subsequent waste products. Other characteristics of sustainable materials include being ethically sourced, reduced energy and natural resource requirements during the manufacturing process and the possibility of being recycled after their scheduled lifespan.
The Efficient Use Of Resources
Green construction pays particular attention to the resources that are used during the building process. This includes natural resources such as water, wood, stone etc and man-made resources including energy and other construction materials. Carefully monitoring resource use can reduce the impact on the environment while also bringing down costs.
Creating Energy Conserving Buildings
One cornerstone of green construction is considering the energy requirements of a structure or building after construction is finished and the edifice is being used. Constructing buildings that use less energy, less water and require less maintenance while utilizing sustainable energy sources reduces their impact on the environment. Some foresight in the planning process can greatly reduce a building’s negative environmental effects.
Paying Attention To Air Quality
The so-called “sick building syndrome” which causes detrimental health effects in its inhabitants has been found to be linked to indoor air quality. The use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in everything from carpets and furniture to paint can adversely affect those who spend the majority of their days breathing in the harmful fumes. Avoiding VOC-laden products and installing efficient HVAC systems can greatly reduce the harmful effects caused by poor air quality.
