
These tips on how to build a sustainable commercial building will guide you in reducing waste, increasing durable reliability and improving energy and water efficiency over the lifespan of the building.
What is a sustainable commercial building?
A sustainable commercial building is built in a way that conserves resources, optimizes energy and water use and will last longer with quality systems.
A sustainable commercial building is built with low-impact, high-performance materials. These materials are efficient in terms of manufacturing, shipping and installation.
Energy efficiency is the key to commercial building sustainability across the structure's life.
What makes a commercial building environmentally sustainable?
To make your commercial building sustainable, consider every detail:
Building materials and methods
Decorating choices
Insulation
Windows
Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)
Lighting
Appliances
Plumbing fixtures
Use of smart systems
Energy generation from solar and wind.
Your habits when it comes to regular maintenance, conservation and green cleaning
Construction tips for building a sustainable commercial building
Consider passive solar design. Passive solar design captures energy from the sun to help heat and cool your commercial building. Using no mechanical or electric equipment, passive solar design relies on building materials that reflect, absorb or transmit the sun's radiation. Inside spaces are designed to facilitate the movement of sun-heated air without fans. A passive house requires less energy to heat and cool.
Install high-performance windows. High-performance windows can cut energy usage, as windows account for 50% or more of lost energy. New technologies include double glazing, special coatings, nonconductive framing materials and higher-quality, air-tight construction.
Invest in energy-efficient appliances for your commercial building. After your HVAC systems, appliances are the next biggest energy consumers in your commercial building. Think of them as having two prices: the cost of buying and the cost of operating. When you buy the most energy-efficient options, you dramatically cut the cost of using them, which can easily exceed the cost of buying them.
Install a drip irrigation system. What grows outside your commercial building increases commercial building sustainability. Landscaping choices can keep your commercial building cooler, serve as a windbreak and contribute to cleaner air. Make choices that need less water and upkeep. Mowing lawns eats energy. If you are in an area where watering your landscape is necessary, drip irrigation is a great way to conserve water.
Use eco-paints. Use eco-paints in your commercial building that emit fewer toxins. They reduce indoor air pollution and are less toxic to manufacture.
Install a cool roof. A cool roof reflects the sun's heat instead of absorbing it into your commercial building. The effect on your cooling bill can be tremendous.
Investigate renewable energy options from your energy supplier. Renewable energy is generated from naturally replenishing resources like the sun, wind, and water. Energy providers like Constellation are at the forefront of offering customers renewable options that provide you with the power you need in a way that is better for the environment.
Talk to sustainability experts. Sustainability is an area of fast innovation in commercial buildings, commercial building systems, appliances and lighting. Sustainability experts can help you identify the best ways to make your commercial building more sustainable.
Set sustainability goals for your commercial building. Finally, you can make your commercial building more sustainable by setting sustainability goals for it. This could include reducing your energy consumption by 20% or becoming carbon neutral.
Following these tips can make your commercial building more sustainable and help protect the environment.
If you're considering making your commercial building more sustainable, contact Oltec Group today. We can help you assess your current building and recommend improvements.
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