Risk & Business Magazine Gifford Associates Fall 2016 | Page 28

GREEN CONSTRUCTION The Benefits Of Green Construction Utilizing Environmentally Friendly Techniques G iven the current state of the global climate, new environmental protection laws, and rising costs, it should come as no surprise that there is a benefit to doing things differently than the status quo. Natural resources are becoming more and more scarce and energy sources are becoming more and more expensive. All the while, people are looking for increasing levels of comfort in their homes. Green construction is a method of constructing homes and buildings which utilizes environmentally friendly techniques while creating a sustainable and energy-efficient final product. This type of construction results in long-term savings, benefits for building owners, and, most of all, increases environmental protection. There are five primary benefits to green construction: 1. It reduces greenhouses gases which protects the environment. Greenhouse gas emissions are one of the primary drivers behind global warming. A reduction in the production of those gases will assist in the rebuilding of the ozone layer. 2. It reduces the costs of operation. 3. It is a hedge against the future costs of utilities. Because of the sustainable nature of buildings utilizing green techniques, most utility costs will be dramatically reduced. This is particularly important in a world where power and water bills are rising not only year-to-year but also month-tomonth. 4. Green buildings are more comfortable. Due to design considerations, these buildings are able to maintain air quality and temperatures throughout. Maintaining an ideal air leakage 28 | FALL 2016 differential (conditioned air leaving the home or outside air entering the home via air leakage) can be expensive and, if unchecked, can cause mold. Through green construction techniques, this air leakage can be minimized, thus lowering costs across the board. 5. Green buildings are, generally speaking, more durable than their counterparts. Because these buildings are created using natural materials, and more care is put into building them, they last longer. The intangible benefits are even more dramatic. Poor indoor environmental quality is a leading cause of disease, respiratory problems, and allergies. Sustainable design aims to minimise poor quality interiors and maximise healthy living spaces. Through the preservation of natural environments, outdoor living spaces are also improved. One of the most common complaints about green construction is that it will cost more money. This is a misconception. While some costs may be added at the beginning of the process of going green simply because of the materials involved, the type of savings that will be received over the long-term more than make up for those initial extra costs. Energy and utility costs will be lowered over time, health bills will go down, and living quality will be improved. Green building should ideally be viewed as an investment in your future (and the future of the environment itself). Not only will it save you money over time, but it will also improve your quality of life. For more information on green construction, or to find out how you can utilise these techniques in your next project, contact Roy Nandram with RND Construction at 613-523-8598 or [email protected]. + BY: ROY NANDRAM RND CONSTRUCTION