| Traditional construction methods are slowly being | | | | You can use lumber from a local forest that is being |
| phased out by modern, environmentally conscious | | | | rejuvenated, or a mix of construction materials such |
| and energy efficient building techniques. The green | | | | as concrete and brick. |
| building movement is gaining popularity amongst | | | | Once the building is open, the true test of its energy |
| residential and commercial builders and manufacturers. | | | | efficiency begins. Does the heating system keep the |
| Many potential buyers or renters specifically ask for | | | | building warm in winter without consuming excess |
| energy efficiency as a requirement before they sign | | | | amounts of energy? If you've constructed your |
| any papers. The long-term economic and | | | | building with energy efficient windows, doors and |
| environmental benefits are great reasons for you to | | | | insulation, and installed a furnace that doesn't waste |
| start building green. | | | | natural resources like gas or oil, you building can stay |
| A building can be considered to be energy efficient | | | | warmer longer. The same goes for cooling systems. |
| when the construction material is made of recycled | | | | Employing the use of shades and trees in the |
| or recyclable products and the amount of energy it | | | | summer months can go a long way in keeping your |
| uses (such as in air conditioning, heating, lighting) is | | | | utility costs down. |
| economical and resourceful. | | | | Installing energy efficient water heaters, fluorescent |
| When constructing an energy efficient building, take | | | | lighting and ground air circulators are great ways to |
| into account the amount of energy that will be used | | | | reduce costs and lessen the environmental impact. |
| to get the facility built. This means the transportation | | | | Using natural lighting, such as skylights or large |
| of construction materials, production, construction and | | | | windows will also keep your energy bills low. Many |
| the waste products that will be left over - including | | | | commercial facilities are installing solar panels or wind |
| the time it takes for clean up. Use local materials that | | | | turbines on the roof of the structure to contribute to |
| can be easily transported whenever possible. You can | | | | the building's energy needs and keep electricity costs |
| even use parts of old buildings that have been | | | | down. |
| demolished to reduce the amount of new materials | | | | The purpose of building green is to reduce the |
| that have to be used. | | | | negative impacts our homes and facilities have on the |
| Take a look at the type of materials being used. | | | | environment. It is clear that by using these |
| Depending on the size and shape of your building, | | | | techniques that your energy costs will be reduced, |
| you have a variety of energy efficient materials that | | | | saving you money. These technological breakthroughs |
| can be used in the construction. Wood, steel and | | | | in modern construction allow us to create sustainable |
| concrete can be recycled, but they may not be the | | | | structures that are environmentally and ecologically |
| best fit for your facility in terms of energy efficiency. | | | | friendly. |