As with pretty much every other industry in the world, construction is on the path towards more sustainable practices, in order to reduce its environmental impact. It is important to note that buildings make up almost 40% of the world’s total carbon footprint, and building’s total floor area is projected to double by the time we reach 2060. To stop emissions growing at the same rate, renewable energy design features, i.e. “green buildings” will have to be integrated.

Saying that, the advantages of converting over to green buildings are not only for the environment, they also save the owners of the buildings money in energy savings over time, while also being more popular with tenants concerned with their impact on the environment. In New York City, green buildings also allow owners to meet a plethora of regulations and laws.

Savings on Energy and Water Bills

Due to their design, green buildings use less energy and water than typical buildings. The particular area where they save can differ depending on what certification that they are aiming for when constructing the building. Generally water and energy savings are what comes with building a green building.

LEED needs at least 20% reduction in water usage with regards to the baseline set down in the standards, and an ASHRAE-standard energy efficient design. Buildings that do not meet any of these requirements do not receive an LEED certification, performance in other areas does not make any difference here.

EDGE certification also has an emphasis on conserving energy and water, with a 20% reduction in both areas required. It also requires a 20% reduction in the embodied energy in the used construction materials.

Better Indoor Environments

The WELL certification has a great emphasis on creating and maintaining a healthy indoor environment within buildings. Certain measures must be taken to ensure a particular level of indoor air quality or IEQ:

Ventilation must be above code requirements, to ensure that a sufficient supply of fresh outdoor air is present
No smoking of any kind is allowed indoors, or around any windows or doors
Not using any construction materials that are known to emit chemicals

Indoor air quality and human health have always been closely linked, especially in modern cities where the vast majority of people’s time is spent indoors. VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) can cause nose and eye irritation when exposed to over a short term, and exposure for long terms has been linked with certain types of cancer.

Marketing Advantage

As mentioned above, green buildings provide an advantage when it comes to attracting tenants. Lower utility bills to pay, better air quality within the building are both strong selling points. Just one of these can lead to a significant increase in contracts signed. If one of the above certifications like WELL or LEED are received, the plaque can be displayed in an easily seen location.

In NYC specifically, buildings are graded on their energy under Local Law 33 of 2018. This is unlike any certification as it is not optional, this grade must be received and the result must be displayed no matter how the building scores. Low energy grades will make the building less attractive to tenants as they will expect to receive higher gas and electricity bills.

Qualification for Incentive Programs

Incentive programs for energy efficient buildings depend on the building’s location, as some are offered by utility companies, and others are provided by state agencies. There are options that focus on just energy efficiency, while others concentrate on renewable power sources like solar, wind etc.

Usually there is a list of predetermined requirements that a building has to meet in order to qualify for the incentive. For instance, one of them could include the space heating and LED light equipment having a specific efficiency rating. Others are generally based around performance, and any combination of energy saving measures can be used as long as the building is reducing the energy that it consumes.

Green Buildings Don’t Have To Worry About Code Requirements

The design requirements for green buildings are very strict, which means that they do not have to worry about most code requirements, as nearly all requirements for green buildings surpass them. There may be extra paperwork and specific demands, but all energy performance code requirements are completely encompassed by green building demands.

For NYC, green buildings also find it easier to meet Local Law 97 from 2019. This particular law is part of the Climate Mobilization Act, which applied emission limits to buildings that are larger than 25,000 sq. ft.., beginning in 2024. Since green buildings are so energy efficient anyway, they will already be below this limit when it comes into play.

When constructing a new building, it makes sense not only environmentally speaking, but for the owner’s pocket in the long run to go with a green building. Tenants and occupants also benefit from this choice with reduced utility bills and a healthier indoor environment. Design features that are “green” also help to fulfil any local energy codes, laws, and regulations.

So, what do you think about green building construction? How long do you think it will be before all buildings become green buildings? Engineering Solutions would love to hear your thoughts and opinions in the comments below, and if you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to us!