The buildings in which we live, work, and spend our leisure time are in fact the main factors responsible for the emission of pollutants into the air and the consumption of natural resources. They are responsible for approximately 30% to 50% of the world's energy and raw material consumption. One way to maintain a 'greener' lifestyle that is considerate of natural resources is to live in a home built on the principles of green construction.
Despite the clear benefits of green construction, many are wary of the financial investment it requires. Green construction costs are only about 5% higher than construction that is not considered green construction, while in the long run it can save its owners a lot of money.
"Investing money in the construction of the building for better insulation will allow for less investment in resources in the future," explains Ronen Lavan, VP of Engineering at Carso Real Estate , which implements green construction in a large part of its projects.
"If the exploitation of natural resources is reduced, the monthly payment that the tenant will pay each month will also be lower. Insulated walls allow less energy to be spent on heating or cooling the house, while automatic electric faucets and economical systems for storing air conditioner water for watering gardens will reduce the water bill."
Surprising returns for green construction
Green building is a smarter financial investment, as the savings accumulated over the years in resource costs such as water and electricity add up to a better return. According to publications by the Ministry of Environmental Protection, it has been found that an investment in green building can pay for itself within one and a half to two years at an internal rate of return of about 60%!
In a discussion held by the Subcommittee for the Advancement of Renewable Energy Technology, it was announced that green building enables savings of 25% in energy and 10% in water. When calculating the cumulative monthly savings on electricity and water bills, it appears that these are significant amounts.
How does it actually work?
Green building is a method of designing and constructing more environmentally friendly buildings. These buildings will benefit future generations according to the principles of 'sustainable development', defined by the Brundtland Commission as development that "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
Green construction begins with the design of the structure, whether it is considering the angle of the building according to the sun and wind directions, designing the building envelope according to the existing climate, or designing the openings to allow maximum entry of natural light.
Green construction also includes the use of insulating materials such as thick glass to create better insulation or supporting mechanical systems such as air conditioner water storage, automatic lighting systems, various solar systems, and even the planning of bicycle facilities and paths that will encourage the population to use green transportation.
All of these enable better savings in resources such as electricity and water and encourage better environmental behavior. For green construction in Israel, there is even a standard label that defines clear parameters for green construction. The standard label actually allows you to rate the degree of impact of buildings on the environment through several essential issues such as energy, water, materials, waste, transportation, and more.
Alongside the gloomy predictions about global warming, and alongside our daily economy, green building is a milestone for both preserving the environment and living more economically. In conclusion, green building is a worthwhile investment that also promises us a greener future on Earth.
