A lot has changed since the pandemic hit the globe. While people focus on their health more than before, they also care for cleaner homes, cleaner nature, and cleaner energy while focusing on a more sustainable future.
When we talk about creating a sustainable future for mankind, we also think about green construction as it enables us to reduce our energy consumption.
By changing from conventional construction method to a green construction method and using green materials such as Trichoderma Reesei, we have made a leap forward to a green future.
Let us explore the potential future of green construction.
Here is everything you need to know about green construction and why it matters:
Source: Reuters
Curb Environment-Related Problems
Constructing buildings with thousands of pounds of steel, concrete, and other materials is a major source of pollution and energy use. There is, however, more to it.
The building’s heating and cooling, lighting, insulation, and integration into the surrounding environment – all have a lasting impact on the use of energy and potential costs. Understandably, such a type of construction requires more water and power to keep comfortable, the demands of which go on indefinitely.
It is important to mention here that buildings accounted for a 6% increase in energy-related CO2 emissions in 2021.
For the reduction of environment-related problems, there is a dire need for some innovation around how buildings are constructed, and this is the point where green buildings come in.
Positive Impact on Global Climate
Green buildings are perfectly designed and built with the goal of inducing positive impacts on the global climate and environment. Green buildings can combine energy efficiency and renewable energy to reduce the consumption of electricity while benefiting the immediate environment and boosting the quality of life of the people who live and work inside those green buildings.
The concept of green construction has been scaling from small residential homes to grand offices and even skyscrapers worldwide. As a matter of fact, international certifications have also been developed to provide clear guidelines to construction companies on how to go around green construction.
With the help of green construction, it has become possible to maintain a healthy global climate by using eco-friendly building materials, such as seaweed mushrooms and even coffee. For instance, cork, which has been primarily used as a wine stopper or bulletin board, has now been added to the list of most sustainable construction materials globally.
One of the primary reasons that cork is immensely sustainable is that there is no need to cut down trees to harvest the cork. Besides, cork trees can live up to three hundred years, and the older the cork tree is, the better the quality.
Zero-Energy Buildings – What Are These
Another term linked with green buildings is zero-energy buildings with on-site renewable power sources, such as solar panels, to produce as much clean energy as it consumes. Understandably, it is impossible to do so 100%, but the objective is to save as much energy as possible.
The facility uses the power produced during the day, and in the case of energy surplus, the building transfers it to the grid to compensate for grid energy consumption at night. Nonetheless, to boost efficiency, there is a need to reduce energy consumption so that heating, cooling, and lighting can be minimized.
To achieve this kind of depreciation, it is recommended to incorporate green construction trends, such as green roofing, energy-efficient window panes (including triple-pane glass and low-emissivity window coating), and good insulation.
Another thing about net-zero buildings is that they are considered “green” only if they are built with non-toxic, eco-friendly, and sustainable materials. Ideally, net-zero buildings should consume less water and comprise excellent air quality with the objective of becoming more sustainable.
A primary step to making a building more efficient and sustainable is the use of high-efficiency LED and smart lighting. Another method would also include using occupancy sensors connected to the air conditioning and fan systems.
Such things can considerably contribute to the reduction of energy consumption and lead to a greener world.
But with the good intentions of saving the planet and taking things to the next level, engineers and architects can perform an advanced analysis of the potential green building using 3D building energy simulation tools for greater efficiencies.
Source: ArchDaily
The Crystal – The Best Smart Building
Over the past decade, net-zero buildings and green buildings have been spreading worldwide. You might have already heard about the building of “The Crystal,” built by Siemens. “The Crystal” is one of the greenest buildings in the world.
This building is highly sustainable and serves as the venue for numerous unique events. Crystal has established the trademark for the world’s best sustainable building design, which is also why it has achieved the Platinum LEED accreditation, which is one of the most rigorous standards for sustainable construction.
This building is illuminated 70% by natural light, which has been made possible by the triple-glazed windows, whereas the solar panels produce roughly 20% of the building’s electricity. When it comes to water usage, rainwater gets collected from the roof, which is then stored in an underground tank. And the best part is that 100% of the water used in toilets is taken from non-portable sources like rainwater.
Back in 2012, this smart building cost no less than 30 million GBP, but this type of investment is definitely worth it as it saves a lot of money in the long run.
The Takeaway
Green buildings, net-zero buildings, and green construction are essential for sustainable furniture. With an increasing focus on a sustainable future, every construction company tries to incorporate green construction. The sooner construction companies realize the significance of green construction, the more secure the world will be.
These goals can be achieved faster if the world government were to take serious actions. We all need to think about the future of our generation instead of the profits of massive corporations. It wouldn’t be wrong to state that green constriction has become a social responsibility for a better and cleaner world.