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For some builders, the benefits of Green Advantage go well beyond LEED. After learning more about the positive outcomes of sustainability, they become eager to implement the green practices that add another common purpose to a project and help team-building efforts. In addition, at the design stage, incorporating sustainable ideas can uncover opportunities to lower costs, for example, by optimizing systems such as better windows and smaller mechanical systems. Taking it one step further, setting specific environmental goals at the outset of a project can lower costs instead of adding sustainable concepts after construction has started.
For example, for minimal energy usage, sustainable design can show the tangible benefits from long and thin buildings that allow natural light to penetrate deeper, and from orienting the structure to take advantage of shade and cross-ventilation breezes, provided that windows are tied to the HVAC system.
After they are occupied, buildings designed for sustainability have lower operational costs, too, because they use less water and impose less burden on the treatment facility. They maximize energy efficiency and eliminate or manage sources of indoor pollutants. In the course, Green Advantage identifies indoor air quality as an issue both during construction, because of the dust and fumes that affect workers, and afterward due to chemicals "off-gassing" from manufactured products (sometimes compared to the "new car smell"). With Americans spending 90 percent of their time indoors, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Green Advantage brings to the attention of builders an array of filtering and monitoring systems, air quality ratings, testing procedures and green HVAC systems such as geo-thermal and radiant hydronic.
According to Green Advantage, buildings have the single greatest impact on the environment, accounting for 70 percent of electricity consumption, 40 percent of raw materials used and 39 percent of all carbon dioxide emissions. Moreover, waste from construction accounts for almost half of all typical waste, and the program raises awareness of waste management strategies including use of recycled, recyclable and substitute products that can cut down the amount of material that gets land-filled.
"We often used to get asked how much it would cost to implement green initiatives, but now the question is more 'What will it save me?'" says Boastfield of Green Advantage. "Demand is bringing down prices for many sustainable materials, and there are more qualified installers available." Boastfield added that Green Advantage expects in the next two years to double the 4,550 certifications awarded since the program began in 2002.
Construction has often been criticized because of non-sustainable practices and raw material usage. The industry is responding, and there are several non-LEED certifications for home builders and remodelers. However, Green Advantage offers a way to show green leadership among all engineering and construction companies and subcontractors, whether they are architects, electricians or landscapers. By having field and engineering staff that have mastered green building principles, materials and techniques, construction companies cannot only counter criticism and have less impact on the environment, they can win more business.
Shana Opdyke, P.E., LEED AP, is recently Green Advantage certified and serves as the mid-atlantic regional sales engineer for GeoStructures, Inc. The company provides soil reinforcement, foundation support and wall construction for commercial and industrial buildings and transportation structures.
Tags: 2009 June Issue , environmental
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