Green construction: is it worth it?
Green building has always been around. For millennia, people have regularly settled and built their homes to make the most of the heat and sunlight, for example, while various businesses and amenities were powered by water and wind. As the pressing need for these methods has diminished, we have forgotten about them. It wasn't until the 1990s that green building really took off in the United States, after the steady rise in oil prices that began in the 1970s.
Today, green construction is increasingly integrated into homes and businesses. In fact, 90% of people surveyed in 2006 by the American Institute of Architects said they would pay $5,000 or more above the normal price to build or buy an eco-friendly home. But is this really the best way to go? It depends on the technology, the building and your needs. Before you automatically jump on the green train, consider a few points.
Although the cost of green building has come down over the years, it is still generally more expensive than traditional building. And depending on the green features and materials you use, the payback can be relatively short or quite long. It can also be expensive to get a building certified green through programs like LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Since housing listings don't track green certifications, you won't know if the cost of getting such a building adds value to the certification.
Many builders claim to build greenery, but they don't really know what constitutes quality green construction. If you want to build a truly eco-friendly home or commercial structure, you need to take the time to find someone who really knows what they're talking about. And such expertise can come at an excessive cost.
Finally, it is possible that even if you build a well-designed green home or business, you will actually use more materials and energy than if you renovate an existing structure. According to a study by the National Conservation for Historic Preservation's Ecological Preservation Laboratory, demolishing an existing building and constructing a new building almost always has a more negative environmental impact than reusing the existing building. And the energy efficiency of this building can take between 10 and 80 years to compensate for its negative impact on the environment during construction.
Of course, this question is a bit complex. Despite the aforementioned study, not all construction projects involve the demolition of an existing building. And you can't limit yourself to cost, because there are many less tangible benefits to building a well-designed, well-sealed, and well-lit residential or commercial structure.
These benefits include creating a more pleasant environment – one without hot or cold spots, and where natural light floods most spaces, improving emotional health. A green building also contains fewer toxic substances (such as those found in paint containing volatile organic compounds and some carpets), which can lead to reduced sinuses and respiratory problems in people. In fact, companies have found that a well-designed green office even reduces employee turnover and absenteeism.
Even if cost is a big factor for you, remember that energy costs are likely to continue to rise – perhaps dramatically – making green building more profitable sooner.
So there is no definitive answer to this question. Check your motivation for green building, then see if the likely results are worth the cost and effort involved.
Written by Dago Guy Charles at the international department
ALLURE MAISON & JARDIN SAS
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