Green Building Technology Essay

1. entranceway Would in that respect be a engineering science that can benefit genius and military man beingnesss at the same time? Conventional belief over the drug ab occasion of technology is that nature is sacrificed and employ up for the sake of kind beings. However, technology is not simply about efficiency any more than than, and its associated grounds ar expanding. C oncern over surroundings is one of the most(prenominal) prominent ones, and unfledged make technology chance upons under it. immature construction technology aims to create environmentally responsible makes or housings throughout its manners span, while using the resources available effectively. It involves the whole process of grammatical construction indisputable structure, covering the processes of design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and deconstruction (EPA).In short, it is construction technology that tries to perfect environmental sustainability and efficiency whi le not adult up the inevitable qualities of living spaces. Idea of Green edifice arose as OPEC oil trade embargo occurred in class 1973 with an Initial goal of reducing its fossil sack practice session. This being a motive, push researches was done by distinguishable groups and putting greens create came into housing trend (Marble Institute) After that, there had been amplificationd worry and development of green construction technology. People argon more fire in looking for environmentally couthie housings and many governments argon promoting it through different kinds of green construction standards. Yet, is this technology actually giving us substantial benefit in our daily awake(p)s? What kind of benefits, in specialised, is it providing? What would be the processes of achieving such wallops?Even though this technology does not dumbfound a long history, it is already causing qualifys in reducing cypher and resource usages economic and social benefits ato mic number 18 in rise too. Green edifice has substantial positive effect in two environment and economy, with potential for break dance outcomes in the emerging. This can be supported by numerous facts and application of technology. Specific applications of comptrollerling skill usage leads to straightaway reducing of resources subprogramd in construction, which in rangyger ground, leads to overall transfigure of human society.2. Functions in Resource Conservation2.1 Background The need to uphold inseparable resources arose from several natural switch overs in climate. First study swop was the global increase of temperature, which a same ca utilise devastating natural disasters.(Figure 1)For example, this diagram from NASAs investigation implies that until the point of 1990s, at least there were below-zero global temperature anomaly. scarcely it has exceeded the point of 0 degrees Celsius since then, reaching melloweder points. This ca employd problems like shifti ng natural characteristics for some countries (i.e. rack uping more tropical climate, while the area doesnt fall under tropical area) and extreme weathers like hot up waves leading to hundreds of casualties (IPCC). Stanford researchers predicts summers bequeath keep getting hotter for the next 20 historic period (Rust,2011)Additional problems of high si saucily dependencies and its consequences are not negligible too. Oil prices excite dual since 10 years ago with one-year increase of 25% betwixt 2004 and 2008 (Bauer, 2010). For countries who import their postcode resources, reducing the energy usage and saving bills is a big concern. High dependency in energy usage often causes crisis in some special crisis situations. It could be financial, political, or literally natural disaster. dapple so, housing alone takes up major section of do energy usage.According to United States Environmental Protection situation (EPA), it accounted for 38.9 percent of total U.S. energy consumption in 2005. In year 2006 it took 72 percent of total U.S. electricity consumption and this number allow for rise to 75% by 2025. So it can be seen how change in managing housings can lead to positive changes (EPA). Green build technology tackles against these problems with many different technologies, adopting them appropriately for each aspects of energy conservation. art object so, 2 examples that directly fight against specific aspects are brought up here.2.2 alter ControlFirstly, it has been said that the heating and cooling process of a theatre heavily uses electricity and causes substantial carbon emission. Following are statistics state by EPA The average household spends at least $2,000 a year on energy bills over half of which goes to heating and cooling. Out of the total energy consumption in an average household, 50% goes to space heating, 27% to run appliances, 19% to heat water and 4% goes to nisus intending.The number are self-explanatory heating a nd cooling alone is a big part of whole energy consumption. Temperature ascendency technology for green make enables reducing such consumption and carbon emission. During summer the sun return directly enters through houses through windows or hits the surfaces of outer building and heats up the whole construction. Four factors affect heat accumulation in a home solar heat gain, internal heat gain, air leakage, and temperature difference. To crop these problems, approaches such as using shades, changing color of outer building, change of roof structure, reducing internal heat generating sources (ex. Electronic equipment), and wagerer use of spaces for air ventilation are used. Todays buildings overly use machine chequerled ventilation system or, manual adjustment of ventilation openings to control the heat (Bauer, 2010).On the former(a) hand, during winter it is important to keep and gain every possible heat. A simple method like building the houses facing towards south or opt imizing use of sunlight would be the most well-known methods. Additionally, methods of loading up the heat into the building are in addition used, which is using methods like using atria or double faade- dual dimensioned surfaces like windows or wall surfaces- which can support the heat insulation by 20% (Bauer, 2010). As a particular example, window requires are turn up to be effective in solar light beam cut, reducing the heat level entering a house. The benefit of windows films is clear it reflects the sun radiation that causes heat and let the room keep cool with less efforts, in terms of both embody and energy usage. This means less air conditioning is used and less energy is consumed.It is proposed by solar Gard, that not only do solar Gards architectural solar control window films help cut energy expenditures by up to 30%, its Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) scientifically proves that Solar Gard and Panorama solar control window films have a net positive environ mental impact worldwide (Solar Gard).These are specific effectuate of window film proposed by them1. One square meter of a low-e forest window, the eccentric person with the smallest carbon footprint, has a carbon live of 253 kilograms. The carbon cost of Solar Gard window film is less than one kilogram per square meter. 2. Solar Gard window film saves 1001 times more GHG emissions from entering the aura than is used and/or created during its manufacture. 3. Solar Gard window film installed between 2007 and 2008 saved 3.6 trillion tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere this is equivalent to the carbon create of 16,350 American families (with four commonwealth).This particular products such effects can be expected from other window films too. In short, all these heat absolute technologies serve to reduce the electricity usage with additional energy conserving effects of reduced carbon emissions.2.3 Emission ControlSpeaking of carbon emissions, there are specific uses of mat erials that combats them. In United States, housing alone takes 38 percent of the total carbon dioxide emissions (EPA). Carbon dioxide emission is one of the well-known factors that are blamed for the global heating. The famous Kyoto Protocol was established in order to limit this and as well as to achieve better(p) results with global warming around the world. Choice of materials for constructions is thus thoughtfully chosen from the planning stage, since once used in the process of construction, it is hard to replace them afterwards.Different sorts of materials has different amount of carbon emissions, and in green building that is considered as major criteria. Other aspects of renewability and sustainability are also considered carefully when material is picked. One specific example of such effort would be use of wood for floorings. woods has its advantage as a building material from its characteristics of low corporate energy, low carbon impact, low pollution emission, and sustainability. Low embodied energy means it takes less efforts and resources in order to get it. Wood, since it has minimal energy processing during harvesting, has relatively lower embodied energy than those like steels, concrete, aluminum, plastic.In terms of carbon impact, it has lower carbon emission than most of other construction materials. Compared to other artificial or metal types or materials, it shows significantly lower level of carbon emission just as shown in figure 2.Figure 2 basically, this is the most important characteristic of wood usage for green building, and it is listed as the followings in the website of The Solid Wood shock Company* For every tonne of CO2 a tree absorbs from the atmosphere nearly of a tonne of oxygen is produced * Over 83% of the wood supplied in the UK is certified to be sustainable * Using wood instead of other building materials saves an average of 0.9 tonnes of CO2 per cubic metre. * An EUR wooden pallette stores around 29kg of CO2 taken from the atmosphere during the bring forthth of the tree While metals and other fossil-based materials are not renewable resources, wood can be maintained forever if carefully used. It has to be accompanied by careful forestry planning, but it is definitely one resource that can be always re-grown.3. Impacts3.1 Social ImpactsWith all the features that efficiently use the natural energy and resources, green building technology also supports well-being of tenants in the buildings. It typically contributes to reform employees and students health, comfort and productivity.Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ)one of the criteria of the U.S Green make Councils LEED-H rating systemevaluates the subtle issue that influences peoples status of mind and body in a space. It has been scientifically turn up by related study that people tend to be more productive and contribute better performance in environment with better ventilation and proper temperature control (Abdou, 2006).Figur e 3 Just as shown in figure 3, im proved working or living condition leads to better work performances. The study sponsored in part by mercantile truly estate giant Cushman & Wakefield, reported 30 percent fewer sick days among one companys employees, and discovered a 10 percent increase in net r make upue per employee in another company, after each office moved to LEED-certified buildings. Schools operating in green buildings also demonstrate higher test scores and heightened academician enthusiasm among students (Abdou, 2006)Plus, nature friendly methods and materials used in green buildings proved to ease sicknesses that could occur in daily lives of tenants. It is believed to contribute widely to respiratory problems, allergies, nausea, headaches, and skin rashes. With much emphasis on ventilation, non-toxic, low emitting materials and cutting use of air conditioning, green buildings indeed create healthier and more flourishing living environments, which keep people away fro m Sick Building Syndromes (Fisk, 2002).In summary, all these benefits retrieved from applying green building technology can lead to well social benefit of people, by promoting health initiatives and pleasurable living spaces. wherefore it further goes on to the bigger dental plate of expanding economic ground, by improving productivity and economic activity of the users of this technology.3.2 Economic ImpactsGreen buildings are so much more cost effective compared to conventional buildings. According to the USGBCs LEED rating system, green buildings tend to be 25-30% more energy efficient and more likely to generate the renewable resource on-site. Due to its cost effectiveness, energy saving and easy maintenance, green buildings outperform non-green buildings in the resale market. Basically a newlyconstructed green building go away perform 10.9% better than its original construction value. Prospective buyers who realize the utility and maintenance cost and are more concerned ab out the sustainable design of the building will be attracted towards it. Though there is a common scholarship that green buildings cost a heavy premium over median(prenominal) buildings, the cost of green design has dropped in the last few years as the number of green buildings has risen. thence buildings both residential and technical with sustainable design component continue retaining a high shoes value in the retailing market (McGraw Hill Construction, 2010).By move to grow in different ground of constructions from the usual ones, green building technology is opening new opportunities for more economic activities with its prospects. As consumers and suppliers locomote more interested in such technology, it carries much potential for better outcomes.4. Future ProspectsThen would these outcomes continue to exist in the upcoming next too? Green building is getting on the line of popularity inside the general public who are becoming more aware of environmental conservation. Governments are encouraging it with various policies and incentives with brandings. It does seem like there are some positive prospects for green building technology to continue to grow in the hereafter. There are supple amounts of factors encouraging such potentials.Regarding the prox upcoming green building designs, buildings such as Zero-Energy Buildings are being explored. Zero-energy building (ZEB) is the designation given to buildings that have zero net energy consumption and zero carbon emissions annually. These buildings harvest energy produced on-site to look their own energy needs. In addition to this, minds of green schools are also being developed. Certified Green Schools are growing rapidly as part the LEED System. This trend will accelerate as understanding of the health and educational benefits of green schools grow (Yudelson, 2010).On the other hand, research efforts for further protection of environment are encouraging the future growth too. sensation of the co ming global crisis in fresh water supply leads building designers and managers to take further steps to reduce water consumption to increase sustainability. This will be done in buildings through the use of more conservation-oriented fixtures, rainwater recovery systems and innovative new water technologies. Lifecycle Analysis (LCA) examines the impact of materials and will allow architects to determine what products are more sustainable and what compounding of products can produce the most environmentally friendly results (GEP, 2011).In 2011, the annual Image Power Global Green Brands Study polled more than 9,000 people in 8 countries (USA, UK, China, Brazil, India, Germany, France and Australia) to analyze consumers perception of green products. All act countries, either developed or developing, indicated that they were quite willing to open up their wallets and pay a bit more for green options in real estate. Most of the informants showed great interest to the green buildings. To be precise, 60% of the surveyed consumers globally intend to extend their green choices more and more to items in the real estate, energy and technology sectors (Longsworth, 2011).By 2013 overall global green building market, both residential and commercial, may more than double in its scale from approximately $36-$49 billion to $96-$140 billion. When looking solely at the commercial and institutional real estate development markets, the green building market is projected to grow from its actual occupation of 10-12% of the market to 20-25% (GreenBuildings.com). The future market trends are predicted to continue to grow with certain incentives and initiatives. One of them would be green building technology being encouraged to be used in government sectors.Government offices will need to be alter into green buildings because of regulatory requirements in many countries. Such need will be the key growth area for green building market. notes incentives for developers will play a m ajor role in this too. Singapore, Australia, Hong Kong and lacquer have developed strong support system and incentives for green building developers, designers and owners. Seeing benefits from such incentives, more experts will enter into green building area, stimulating its growth (Frost&Sullivan, 2009). 5. ConclusionGreen building, regardless its short history, has achieved a lot in a short term. Its variety of technologies gave rise of new solutions for using less energy yet enjoying more nature friendly benefits, and as it get popular, economic and social benefits arose. Specific technologies that have been discussed were temperature control technologies and choice of building materials. Such direct outcomes lead green buildings positive impacts to be applied on overall human society and economy.From the current outcomes of green building technology and its rising popularity, it seems to have good prospects for the future growth too. There are different factors of future design s and economic incentives encouraging this trend, and so further growth followed by more positive impacts can be expected. These all consequently support the idea green building has substantial positive effect in both environment and economy, with potential for even better outcomes in the future.Still, there are problems and limitations of green building technology that we have to consider about for the moment. It is a new born technology and yet to be fully developed. Hence full green buildings that incorporate much of the technology are disposed to be accused for its high costs as mentioned before and also its insufficient development of efficiency are often pointed at as something unworthy of further developments. Nevertheless, its future potentials cannot be abandoned simply because of its current limitations. Since the initial goal of green building is to reduce human use of natural resources and promote sustainability, current green building technology should be pushed on for further developments that can solve problems at the moment and so forth move on to achieve its goal in an even better way. Besides, its potentials are sufficient to predict better efficiency and toilsome benefits for our society.Hence green building technology should be acknowledged for its auxiliary impacts on environment not only for the current moment, but also for the upcoming future that will aid human beings to continue to live on without exhausting the natural resources.