Environmentally Integrated Building is Big Business

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.