Sustainable construction is based on a new building model in which the environmental impacts related to the entire construction process of the building are considered, this can include both the design phase and the end of the project.
On the other hand, changes can be perceived in the construction phase, the use of the building and even the subsequent demolition or waste management.
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Here are six important facts you should know about building sustainability.
This is the first of the principles of sustainable construction. Sustainable buildings start with proper site selection. The location of a building affects a wide range of environmental factors and other factors such as:
Buildings use 36% of annual energy consumption in the United States and 65% of electricity demand. In addition, according to the EPA, buildings account for 30% of total carbon dioxide (CO2, which is the main greenhouse gas associated with global warming), 49% of sulfur dioxide, and 25% of nitrogen oxides. issued in the United States.
In many parts of the United States, fresh water is an increasingly scarce resource. Since construction fundamentally changes the ecological and hydrological function of unbuilt land, a green building should seek to minimize the impervious cover created through practices that can reduce those impacts by using water efficiently and reusing or recycling water for future use in the place.
Within the federal sector, it is estimated that water and sewerage costs run between 500 million dollars and 1000 million dollars annually. Reducing water consumption and protecting water quality are key goals of sustainable design.
The composition of the materials used in a building is an important factor in the environmental impact of its life cycle. Whether new or renovated, Federal facilities must lead in the use of greener materials and processes that do not pollute or unnecessarily contribute to the waste stream, negatively affect health, and do not deplete limited natural resources.
The last of the green building principles says that no matter how sustainable a building has been in its design and construction, it can only stay that way if it is operated responsibly and is properly maintained.
At GEG we take into account the sustainability department for the supervision of each of the projects that have the U.S. certification. GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL MEMBER and thus, support the care of the environment.
