Implementing sustainability in commercial buildings can be beneficial for multiple reasons. It can save your organization money and reduce the negative impact on the environment big commercial structures often have. Read on to learn more about driving sustainability in commercial buildings.
Renewable Energy
One way to increase sustainability in commercial buildings is by looking to implement renewable energy practices. There are a lot of different options for renewable energy including solar or wind-powered electricity, solar hot water, and solar ventilation. Another method of renewable energy is the use of natural light. All of these things can decrease the limited resources that are used to power commercial buildings and save money and the environment.
Smart Technology
While most people think of renewable energy methods when it comes to sustainable building practices, there are other things you can do to drive sustainability. One such method is the use of smart technology. Smart technology helps different systems within the building operate more efficiently, thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions. For example, the use of a smart HVAC unit or a smart lighting system can help save energy. Smart technology can enable us to make data driven decisions about the energy we are using rather than just changing the temperature based on how it feels.
Ventilation
Another way commercial buildings can be more sustainable is through the use of efficient ventilation. Some ventilation systems run efficiently, whereas others operate with leaks that increase energy costs and emissions going out into the world. If you are going to use nonrenewable energy that lets out greenhouse gas, it is important that this energy is at least running efficiently and is not wasted. By using good ventilation systems and checking they are running efficiently, you can increase sustainability in commercial buildings.
Implement Sustainable Human Behavior
While there are a lot of things you can do from a system perspective to increase energy efficiency of commercial buildings, another great way to reduce your building’s carbon footprint is by implementing sustainable practices into human behavior. Are your employees turning off the lights when they leave rooms? How about recycling? Are they turning off technology when it is not in use? Encouraging sustainable habits in the people that work in commercial buildings is another way to drive sustainability in your organization.
There are a lot of different ways to implement sustainability in commercial buildings. Some of these things have to do with the way the buildings are constructed, some of these things can be implemented after construction, and some of the sustainable practices are everyday habits of the people that work there. Benchmark Houston Builders is equipped to increase energy efficiency in your commercial buildings, starting all the way from the early stages of build. Contact info@benchmarkhouston.com or 713-921-2500 today to learn more about increasing sustainability in commercial buildings.
