What exactly does the term green in the construction industry mean?
According to the World Building Green Council "green building is a building that, in its design, construction or operation, reduces or eliminates negative impacts, and can create positive impacts, on our climate and natural environment".
Building Green Features:
Use of renewable energy, such as solar energy.
A design that enables adaptation to a changing environment.
The enabling of re-use and recycling.
Pollution and waste reduction measures.
Use of materials that are sustainable.
Consideration of the environment in design, construction and operation.
Efficient use of energy, water and other resources.
Consideration of the quality of life of occupants in design, construction and operation.
Use of renewable energy, such as solar energy.
Everyday solar wins more popularity. More than 20% energy consumed in California comes from solar resources, solar panels. Technology wise solar is in its pinnacle, the aesthetics have a long road to be built though. Imagine panels in the form of red tiles for a roof, or panels that flow with the building designs. As for now we have to look for the bigger picture SAVINGS, solar energy saves you big.
You have the control on what you pay, the utility it's not going to increase every year, or when a third party decides so. You create your own energy, and you can decide to increase the usage of it whenever you feel like it and without noticing a change on your bill (this will vary upon the size of the kW system you've installed at your home).
When it comes to how many options you have out there you'll see the market is very different than it used to be, there are so many providers nowadays you won't find it hard to study your options and choose the best fit for your needs.
Benefits of Solar Energy:
Increased Home Value
Solar panels are viewed as upgrades, like a renovated kitchen or a finished basement, so purchasing a solar energy system will likely increase your home’s value.
Environmental
Each kilowatt-hour (kWh) of solar that is generated will substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions like CO2, as well as other dangerous pollutants such as sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter. Solar also reduces water consumption and withdrawal.
Cost Savings
It all comes down to SAVINGS, lower monthly utility bills generally is the most common reason for going solar. There are many people paying 50% off what they were paying before going solar. The savings will vary on: electricity consumption, solar energy system size, whether you purchase or lease your system, direct hours of daylight sunlight, size and angle of roof, and local electricity rates.
At the end of the day we all win by going green, and it can start with the smallest things. From a homeowner point of view it could be reducing your water consumption, using your recycling trash bin for recycling purposes, using renewable energy and more. As for the construction industry details such as the consideration of the environment in design, construction and operation, pollution and waste reduction measures, the enabling of re-use and recycling, and many more.
We all win by going green.
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