When one thinks of sectors that could make use of sustainability upgrades, the construction sector might not come to mind immediately; however, it actually happens to hold some of the biggest ever potential when it comes to change. Sustainable construction best practices go on to include optimizing for energy efficiency, water conservation, decreasing waste, making use of low-impact materials, as well as emphasizing durability. Let’s take a closer look at the five principles when it comes to sustainable construction.
1- Enhancing Energy Efficiency
Energy consumption happens to be one of the biggest factors that influence a building’s sustainability.
Designers often make use of Energy Star, which happens to be a rating system that gives buildings energy efficiency scores so as to gauge their complete sustainability. Apparently, in 2022, U.S. apartments happened to get an average score of 89.8 out of 100, whereas retail stores were seen as less efficient at only 81.4 points. The question arises as to how the construction sector can go on to enhance these metrics.
Designers must go on to incorporate more sustainable construction best practices within their projects. For instance, integrating smart thermostats that can go on to alter the temperature based on occupancy levels as well as past thermostat use within buildings aids in managing electricity use. Other elements that enhance energy efficiency go on to include multi-paned windows, weather stripping surrounding windows and doors, thick insulation, along with smart bulbs.
The installation when it comes to solar panels is yet another incredible way to lessen energy consumption and also lower electricity bills. As per the U.S. Department of Energy, commercial buildings that make use of solar panels go on to consume almost 70% less electricity as compared to conventional structures.
2- Water Conservation
Among the sustainable construction best practices, water conservation ranks pretty high. The building process happens to be a great time so as to incorporate water-saving traits into a structure.
For instance, contractors can go on to install low-flow sinks, toilets, as well as showers in bathrooms. Toilets can also come with buttons for bigger, smaller flushes, thereby enabling people to use only as much water as they actually require.
One more useful technology happens to be smart leak detectors. These IoT-connected devices within the pipes go on to notify occupants when they come across a leak. Some even go on to automatically shut off the water that is within broken pipes, safeguarding long-term, wasteful leaks that may as well otherwise go unnoticed.
Moreover, builders can go on to install efficient fixtures as well as appliances such as dishwashers, ice makers, HVAC units, washing machines, as well as ventilation systems. Water metering systems can go on to give occupants an idea of how much water they are using and also how to cut back.
3- Stressing Durability
Developing durable structures happens to be one of the most significant principles of sustainable construction. It is well to be noted that the longer a building lasts, the lesser materials will be required to repair or even replace it. Buildings and the construction sector are at present the world’s largest consumers of raw materials, thereby accounting for 25% to 40% when it comes to carbon dioxide emissions.
Numerous contractors happen to have an incentive so as to complete projects as quickly as possible, which goes on to lead to buying weaker and less expensive materials that manufacturers can produce in bulk. It is worth noting that a renewed focus when it comes to high-quality supplies will indeed go a long way when it comes to sustainability.
In the wake of climate change, yet another factor building designers must go on to account for is weather that’s extreme. Apparently, structures must be able to withstand local climate-related disasters such as floods, wildfires, hurricanes, or tornadoes. For instance, building homes on stilts in tropical areas lessens flood damage, whereas wraparound stone porches safeguard homes in fire-prone areas.
4- Decreasing Waste
Decreasing waste production happens to be among the most important principles of sustainable construction. The construction sector goes on to generate 30% of worldwide refuse, with experts anticipating more than 35% of it ending up in landfills. Taking into account how hard it is to obtain several materials, like through mining, quarrying, as well as cutting down trees, it is indeed in everyone’s best interest in order to conserve as many materials as there can be.
In order to decrease the amount of garbage as well as unusable materials a construction site goes on to generate, builders should push to opt for products with very little packaging. They should also be careful when it comes to ordering the right number of materials, availing of the right-sized materials for every project, and planning ahead prior to getting to work. The old adage when it comes to measuring twice as well as cutting once definitely gets applied.
When destructing a building, contractors should look for options so as to salvage as many materials as possible. By way of making use of modular building techniques, [ one can make structures easier to take apart when they go on to reach the end of their life cycle, thereby freeing up supplies for future projects.
5- Buildings having Low-Impact Materials
It is indeed possible to mix both durability as well as low climate effects when buying construction supplies. Buildings with reclaimed materials such as wood, steel, and nails from unused buildings lessen the supply chain and meet the requirement for raw materials. Using repurposed supplies also goes on to divert them from landfills and, at the same time, reduces the requirement for timber harvesting, mining, as well as drilling for oil.
Moreover, builders can go on to opt for new building materials having lower environmental footprints. Low-carbon bricks, wood, bamboo, and green concrete, as well as green ceramic tiles that are partly made of waste materials like glass and textiles, are good choices.
Sustainable Construction Best Practices Principles
The construction industry at present is one of the biggest contributors when it comes to climate change. This also goes on to mean executing sustainable construction best practices, which will in turn have a massive impact when it comes to creating a world that’s greener.
The sustainable construction principles have in them numerous different areas. Apparently, if builders just incorporate even one of them, they will positively go on to affect the entire planet, beginning with the people who stay there.
