Environmentally Integrated Building is Big Business

In order to look forward to a cleaner, brighter future, we must begin to think on an integrated level, combining environmental design and energy efficiency into buildings at the planning stage.

A general overview of green building must include consideration of the efficiency of the lighting systems, active solar power to generate electricity, passive solar power to heat water, the orientation of the building (direction it faces), and water conservation systems.

The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is the nationally accepted criteria in the construction and design of environmentally efficient high performance buildings.

Green Building is Good for the Pocketbook and Good for the Planet

The old argument that environmentally conscious business means cutting profits couldn't be farther from the truth. In fact, LEED certified buildings reduce operating costs, conserve natural resources, and contribute to the health of the occupants of those buildings.

The National Geographic Society Headquarters Complex (NGSHC), located in Washington D.C., has estimated a $24 million increase in the appraised value of their building since becoming a Silver LEED certified pilot project.

The NGSHC project installed several infrastructure upgrades, featuring more efficient electrical energy generation, heating, cooling, and lighting systems. The $5.5 million overhaul of the HVAC system alone resulted in an overall energy reduction of 20 percent, with an additional decrease in water usage of 18 percent.

Schools like Fossil Ridge High School in Fort Collins, Colorado are also getting into green building programs. Building a LEED certified school gave them a higher quality building for no additional cost, saving 60 percent on energy consumption. Additionally, the project resulted in $11,500 savings on the water bill per year.

"Building a LEED certified school is the right thing to do, the right thing to teach kids, and the right message to send to the community. And it doesn't cost more." said Michael Spearnak, of the Colorado Poudre School District.

Lighting Systems Design

About 20 percent of the average residential electricity bill pays for the lighting in your home, yet the incandescent light bulbs you use only convert about 5 percent of the energy they use into light.

"Incandescent light bulbs were first developed almost 125 years ago, and since that time they have undergone no major modifications," said California Assemblyman Lloyd Levine in a recent interview.

Levine intends to introduce legislation that would ban the use of incandescent light bulbs, claiming it will help California cut its greenhouse gas emissions. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) only use about 25 percent of the energy of conventional light bulbs, and generate less heat than incandescent light bulbs, according to EPA spokeswoman Enesta Jones.

The Rocky Mountain Institute, a nonprofit group that studies energy issues, has concluded a 20 watt CFL will emit as much light as a 75 watt conventional bulb, and will last 13 times longer.

An average home in California may save from $40 to $50 per year, if CFLs are used in place of incandescent light bulbs, said California Energy Commission member Arthur Rosenfeld.

Another innovation in energy efficient lighting is the Solatube, which uses natural sunlight (passive solar power) that is directed through roof to light the building interior.

According to some studies, bringing in more natural light can improve student's reading and math scores, so the designers of the Fossil Ridge High School project placed windows on more than one side of the classrooms, as well as utilized the Solatubes throughout the building.

Big corporations are starting to change the way they do business, realizing that energy efficiency can cut costs in the long run. The CEO of Wal-Mart Stores Inc. has set a goal to use more renewable energy, cut waste and utilize primarily energy efficient lighting in their stores.

Use energy only when needed

Becoming energy efficient involves using energy only when it is needed. This can be accomplished by installing technology such as lighting occupancy sensors; low flow faucets and toilets; and heat recovery technology to minimize heat loss.

Using recycled materials and locally manufactured materials reduces 75 percent of the construction waste, and saves money on landfill dumping fees.

Passive Solar and Building Orientation

Passive solar power for water heating on rooftops and building orientation make a difference in the charging efficiency of solar powered systems. Shade around the building must be taken into consideration, as the one true killer of solar energy, is shade!

Building clean and green has never been easier, or more cost efficient. With increasing pollution and dwindling resources, it is imperative we start building a better future, from the ground up.