Green Building Construction Solar
Power Energy Generation Guide
Green Building Construction Helps Reduce Emissions
By Gerard J Howson
According to some accounts, we spend about ninety percent
of our time indoors. Because of this, scientists have
related an increase in allergies, asthma, missed days
from school and work to harmful chemicals within home
construction building materials.
Consequently, there have been many studies done that
have shown increased productivity levels within buildings
that are built "green." Not only does green
building result in fewer sick days being taken but in
some cases, job satisfaction and better grades have
been reported too.
Commercial Buildings And Homes With High Carbon Emissions
Statistics indicate that commercial buildings and homes
account for thirty-nine percent of carbon dioxide emissions
in the United States, as well as seventy percent of
the US's electricity consumption and over fifteen trillion
gallons of water used.
Even though the concept of green house gases and their
effect on the environment is still somewhat controversial,
those last two statistics are very important for those
living in urban areas that are experiencing continuous
growth.
Building Of Green And Sustainable Buildings
With population expansion, aging electrical and water
infrastructure as well as shrinking landfills, the design
construction and building of green and sustainable buildings
just makes practical sense.
More data indicates that green buildings use thirty-six
percent less energy, require less raw building materials
and send less waste to landfills. Additionally, the
higher cost of building green is generally not that
high; only one or two percent more expensive than a
conventional building.
Green Buildings Conserve Electricity And Water
This small difference shows the long-term benefits
of using sustainable designs, mainly due to the fact
that green buildings conserve electricity and water.
So while building green can be more expensive in the
short term, green structures save money in the long
run by conserving more energy.
Despite these difficulties and knowing how to build
green, advocates for sustainability and the construction
industry are meeting to try to overcome these challenges.
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has come
up with a new initiative called "Sustainability
2030," which states that their goal is to make
all building designs carbon neutral by the year 2030.
Installing Glass Panels Instead Of Wood Panels
Another way to become more efficient with green building
is to install glass panels instead of wood panels. This
allows the flow of natural light inside the building
during the day. Rainwater harvesting systems are being
installed in many green buildings to catch rainwater
and help preserve depleting water resources.
To maximize the use of renewable natural resources
in green structures, energy efficient equipment such
as compact fluorescent lights and solar water heaters
are installed, as well as solar panel roofing. The use
of non-conventional energy resources is highly encouraged.
Wood From Fast Growing Trees
Since forest cover is being depleted every day around
the world, the use of freshly cut wood is minimized
in green building construction. Whenever the use of
new wood is thought necessary to help build green buildings,
the wood of fast growing trees is used so that using
such material may not affect the ecology of the earth.
Minimizing the use of depleting natural resources is
the key. Proper disposal of garbage must be a priority.
Garbage in green buildings is properly sorted, handled
and disposed of according to whether it is biodegradable
or non-biodegradable waste.
About the Author:
Gerard J Howson has written a number of articles on
solar power and renewable energy including
Portable Solar Power, Solar
Outdoor Lights,
Solar Technology,
Solar Electric.
Look out for new articles as they become available on
this site.
Little Known Solar Facts.....
Who first used solar power?
It is believed that the ancient Greeks utilized
the sun when constructing their buildings. They realized that houses
and buildings facing the sun would receive more warmth and light.
Native Americans followed the same practice. The first
industrial use of solar power was brought about thanks
to Auguste Mouchoute in 1861 with his steam engine that
was powered by the sun. His invention may not have been
very popular with the coal industry but it was a start
in the right direction for the use of solar power.
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