By Wayne T. Hudson, LEED AP
The term “sustainable construction” has become a buzzword these days, and as such it’s often misused and misunderstood. For instance, a building that is considered “green” because it is designed to be healthy for the people who work in it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s energy efficient.
The gold standard for measuring and determining a building’s sustainability, or its impact on the environment, is the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, certification program. The council’s rigorous LEED rating system “recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices” that save money and resources, make a positive impact on the health of occupants, and promote renewable, clean energy.
There are a number of benefits to achieving LEED certification, including the ability to take advantage of financial incentives at the state and local levels. However, the certification process can be complicated, time-consuming, and, depending on the size of the company, cost-prohibitive.
Add Sustainability, LEED-free
You can add sustainability to a project, however, without going through the LEED process. Here are three ways:
Reduce energy: According to the US Department of Energy, about 18% of all energy used in the US is consumed by commercial buildings. You can lower a building’s energy use by simply adding good insulation, which helps the structure maintain a constant temperature and require less power for heating and cooling. Installing energy-efficient lighting and appliances can help with sustainability, too.
Reduce costs: Energy accounts for an estimated 20 percent of total expenditures for a typical office building. Therefore, finding ways to cut energy costs can make a big difference to the building’s bottom line. A simple cost-cutting solution: install timers or other automated devices that turn off non-essential energy users, such as lights in unoccupied offices or rooms or inactive computers and monitors.
Reduce waste: The EPA estimates that commercial facilities, such as schools, hotels, and office buildings, account for up to 17% of publicly-supplied water use — a significant amount, especially in communities facing water shortages. Reducing waste by identifying and repairing leaks is a crucial first step in any water management plan. For example, a single toilet with a leaking flow rate of 0.5 gallons per minute can waste more than 21,000 gallons of water a month and cost you several thousand dollars a year.
For more information about adding sustainability to a building project, contact us.