There is a growing trend in green buildings – construction that is eco-friendly, energy efficient, and sustainable. The most widely recognized designation is LEED or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. Its three levels are certified, silver, and gold, and these have been awarded to over 13,000 buildings in the United States.
LEED certification results in tax savings, premium property values, and desirability among discriminating buyers. However, it doesn’t necessarily result in the greenest of green buildings. For that, there are newer standards that push the limits of building technology much further.
The Living Building Challenge certification system requires features like net-zero water usage, complete reliance on renewable energy, and total harmony with the local environment. Such buildings are intended to be beautiful and inspirational as well as functional. Meeting the Living Building Challenge is difficult and expensive, but people are doing it.
Then there are passive or “zero-energy” houses. These buildings maintain their interior temperatures without active heating or cooling systems. Renewable generation systems, super-insulation, energy-saving appliances, and other features make these houses completely self-reliant with respect to energy. There are only small numbers of these homes in the northeast. But in Germany, there are now thousands of them.
Buildings consume 40% of the world’s energy production and are responsible for about 40% of carbon dioxide emissions. Sustainable buildings are complicated and expensive to build, but for a growing number of people, it’s worth it to try to reduce the impact of buildings on our environment.
**********
.
Web Links
Aiming for Truly Sustainable Buildings
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/11/03/realestate/aiming-for-truly-sustainable-buildings.html
Living Building Challenge
Photo, taken on July 18, 2013, courtesy of Stephen Vance via Flickr.
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Support for Earth Wise comes from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY.