| Make no mistake: the "green building" market is not | | | | homeowners placing solar collectors on their roofs to |
| only here to stay, but it's also the wave of the | | | | heat water. The boom is being driven by giant |
| future. In just the next five years, the market for | | | | corporations like Ford, GM, and Adobe, companies |
| buildings that incorporate alternative energy and | | | | that have incorporated green techniques into their |
| conservation techniques will increase some $10-20 | | | | buildings to improve their overall bottom line through |
| billion dollars. Yet the green building market only | | | | increased energy savings. That trend proves that |
| constituted about two percent of new construction | | | | green buildings are no longer just a fad, and are |
| in 2004. By 2010, that figure is expected to jump to | | | | definitely here to stay, because if companies can |
| 5-10 percent, which still represents only a tiny fraction | | | | realize a quick return on their investment, they're also |
| of the immense potential of the green building | | | | quick to jump on the green building bandwagon. |
| market. | | | | Green building isn't just the wave of the future. |
| A recent survey showed that more than 70 percent | | | | Green building is also the hottest "new" thing in |
| of the architects, engineers, contractors and building | | | | current construction. There's an organization called |
| owners interviewed expect a significant increase in | | | | the U.S. Green Building Council that actively promotes |
| their income from green building. Of those surveyed, | | | | the usage of green building techniques. If you or your |
| some 60 percent of those industry professionals are | | | | company are interested in incorporating green |
| now regularly including green techniques in their new | | | | features in your next building project, you'll find lots |
| construction projects. | | | | of information at |
| Although they cost a bit more to construct, once the | | | | It all adds up to a win-win situation for everyone |
| buildings are completed, they can save their | | | | concerned. The building industry gets increased |
| occupants 8-9 percent in operating costs vs. | | | | business, occupants save significant amounts of |
| conventional buildings, which can add up to significant | | | | money, and the environment is impacted less and |
| savings over time. Recognizing the trend, builders, | | | | less. And the trend should only gain momentum as |
| architects, and manufacturers are rushing to get in on | | | | new technology makes green buildings even more |
| the boom, which will ultimately bring down prices for | | | | efficient and less expensive. |
| consumers. | | | | Copyright © 2006 Jeanette J. |
| This is no longer just a few environmentally-minded | | | | |