What’s The Difference Between Green And Sustainable Buildings?
Both types of buildings are designed to be better for the planet.
The key difference is that sustainable buildings incorporate environment, economics, and societal impacts.
On the other hand, green buildings focus on the environment.
Sustainable buildings and green buildings can be both sustainable and green. They can also be one but not the other.
What Is A Sustainable Building?
Sustainable buildings use materials and processes that reduce environmental impacts.
They aim to create positive social and economic benefits. They’re designed with environmental sustainability in consideration.
They’re built to last, conserve resources, and be energy efficient. They’re built to improve quality of life.
These benefits include reduced pollution, lower operating costs, and better health for occupants. Sustainable buildings use renewable materials.
They also aim to lessen water usage, recycle waste, and reduce energy consumption.
Some of the common considerations in a sustainable building are:
- Health of inhabitants
- Promotion of a productive environment
- Quality of life of inhabitants and community
- Reduction of energy waste
- Conservation of natural resources
- Protection of natural resources
- Efficient use of resources
- Efficient use of energy
- Use of long-lasting, eco-friendly materials (recyclable or biodegradable construction materials)
- Pollution and waste reduction measures
- Optimize the site’s potential
- Enhancement of indoor environmental quality
- Use of renewable energy technologies
- Enhance operational and maintenance procedures
What Is A Green Building?
Green buildings that use energy-efficient materials and technologies to reduce environmental impacts.
Green buildings are environmentally friendly structures.
They’re designed to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.
They’re built to be sustainable. They use renewable resources and produce little waste.
Some of the common considerations in a green building are:
- Efficient use of energy
- Reduction of energy waste
- Efficient use of resources
- Conservation of natural resources
- Protection of natural resources
- Use of renewable energy technologies
- Pollution and waste reduction measures
- Good indoor environmental air quality
- Use of materials that are non-toxic, ethical and sustainable
- Consideration of the environment in all aspects of the building’s life cycle
- Quality of life of inhabitants and community
- Adaptation to a changing environment
There are many different types of green building designs.
Each type offers its own unique set of advantages and disadvantages.
The passive solar design uses natural sunlight to heat homes during the winter months. That reduces heating costs.
Water conservation features include rainwater collection systems and greywater recycling.
Green roofs collect rainwater and use it to irrigate plants.
There are different types of green building technologies. Green buildings can have different main green goals or functions.
Different Types Of Green Building Technologies
- Net Zero Concepts
Net zero or Zero energy buildings aim to produce their own power. They make use of renewable energy sources. They aim to reduce their carbon footprint, aka zero carbon building emissions. - HVAC (Heating, Ventilation And Air Conditioning)
The main goal of an HVAC system is to lessen the electricity consumption of the building. Mainly the electricity from the electricity grid that is used to regulate the temperature in the building. - Low-Emitting Materials
This concept aims to lessen the use of toxic emitting materials to improve human health and protect the environment. - Cool Roofs
A cool roof is a technology which aims to reflect the heat and sunlight away. Doing this helps regulate the building and room temperatures. That reduces the use of electricity for air conditioning. - Green Insulation
Green insulation refers to the use of eco-friendly wall fillers than can offer energy-efficient heating. - Solar Power
This sustainable green building technology is one of the most common. It helps the building become self-sufficient with a clean and renewable energy source. - Smart Appliances
Smart appliances can help make green building technology even more effective. They help achieve self-sufficiency or the Net Zero concept by being energy efficient. - Water efficiency
One of the basic and most important principles of green building is water conservation. Depending on the design, some green buildings can supply potable and non-potable water. Different uses will receive either type of water. They may also take advantage of grey water or rainwater and use those as non-potable water supply.
Common Themes Of Sustainable And Green Buildings
- Energy efficiency
Consume less energy than traditional buildings, resulting in lower utility bills. - Water efficiency
Consume and use water more intently - Health and Safety
Safer than conventional ones because they contain fewer toxic substances and emit fewer pollutants - Sustainability
Better for the environment because they use renewable resources instead of nonrenewable ones. - Cost savings
Cost less to build and maintain than conventional ones. - Happiness
Help improve the quality of life for residents. - Beauty
Add beauty to cities and towns. - Responsiveness
Respond well to changing weather conditions, making them ideal for hot climates. - Environmental awareness
Encourage environmental stewardship.
Final Words
The concept behind sustainable and green buildings is simple. But it takes a bit more effort than traditional construction methods.
However, the end result is definitely worth it.
As far as the environmental impact goes, green and sustainable buildings use significantly less energy, produce less waste, and require less water than traditional structures.
They both aim to have less or eliminate their negative impact on the environment.
So if you’re a building owner who is planning on renovating or building a brand new residential or commercial building from scratch, consider doing green or sustainable buildings.
