Green construction, also called Green Building, High-Performance Building or Sustainable Construction, has become a term of art in the industry and appears in the news, professional journals and magazines, product advertisements and discussions daily.  Although there are different definitions of what makes construction practices for buildings green, the USGBC  Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program is the most widely used green building certification. 

What is LEED Certification?
LEED is a national rating system for developing high-performance sustainable buildings. LEED promotes expertise in green building through a comprehensive system offering project certification, professional certification, training and practical resource.  The USGBC was established in 1993 and quickly identified the need for a means to define and measure ‘green buildings’. 

After researching existing certifications and products, the USGBC released LEED Certification for New Construction in 2000 and now addresses all types of building types.

Are There Other Types of Green Building Certifications?
There are other certifications in use in the U.S. – specifically Green Globes, Green Building Initiative and the Florida Green Buildings Coalition’s certification process.

The Florida Green Buildings Coalition is unique in that is addresses issues specific to Florida such as disaster mitigation and forest fire prevention.

Why is Green Construction Important?

Energy Consumption:
Buildings represent 39% of U.S. primary energy use (includes fuel input for production).

Electricity Consumption

Buildings represent 70% of U.S consumption.

Water use:
Buildings use 12.2% of all potable water, or 15 trillion gallons per year.

Materials use:
Buildings use 40% of raw materials globally (3 billion tons annually).

Waste:
35% of all non-industrial waste (1996) – including new, remolding, demolition and deconstruction.

The EPA estimates that 136 million tons of building-related construction and demolition (C&D) debris was generated in the U.S. in a single year

What Are the Major Green Construction Topics?

Water Efficiency
Buildings that are water efficient are buildings that incorporate some or all of the following:

• Reduce water consumption by reductions in use though limiting or eliminating irrigation with potable water – using captured rainwater or gray water instead.

The implementation of water efficient landscaping methods, such as mulching and planting drought resistant plants

Using low flow plumbing fixtures and innovative wastewater technology such as waterless urinals or low flow devices.

Energy and Atmosphere

Energy efficient buildings incorporate some or all of the following:

Incorporate energy  reduction technologies and limit emissions in order to reduce energy costs and consumption.

Focus on the envelope of the building - the wall system, insulation, windows/doors, etc.

Incorporate on-site renewable energy systems

Incorporate and partner with green power technology and sources.

Eliminate the use of CFC-based refrigerants in HVAC systems, as well as eliminate other non-friendly materials and chemical pollutants.

Materials and Resources

Buildings that are material and resource efficient incorporate some or all of the following:

• Use recycled, reused, reclaimed, rapidly renewable and regional materials, thereby promoting local and regional industry to go green.
• Reduce amounts of waste generation during construction and ongoing for the life of the building.

Indoor Environmental Quality

According to the USGBC, Americans spend 90% of their time indoors. Many studies have shown that the environment within a building can have a significant impact on human health – specifically respiratory problems, allergies, and perhaps cancer.

Buildings that enhance the health and productivity of the occupants incorporate some or all of the following:

The use of products that emit fewer toxins, such as low-emitting adhesives, paints, carpet and composite wood products.

Regulate air quality  and thermal comfort, such as windows, light shelves, sky lights to encourage individual consideration of what the built environment should be used for and how the space is occupied and for how long .

It is much easier to quantify the material, energy, water use, and the amount of waste produced by the construction and operation and maintenance of our built environment, than it is to quantify the quality of life and the productivity and health of the occupants. However, studies are beginning to be released, especially due to the surge in green schools over the last few years, indicating there is a reduction in absenteeism, health problems and increased productivity in green buildings as compared to traditional building methods

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