Studies reveal us that about 36% of carbon emissions are caused by buildings. We are living in a crucial era when carbon emissions have led to unforeseen effects on climatic conditions. When there are widespread urges from different segments of the world to cut down carbon emissions, here are a few ways in which you can resort to responsible construction and thereby reduce your building’s carbon footprint.
Tips to reduce carbon footprint in buildings
Design properly
Make an estimate of the building’s carbon footprint that is likely in terms of its design. Do this much early before the construction starts and wherever necessary think of alternative layouts and materials that can help reduce the carbon footprint. Understand that once the building construction starts, the opportunity to work on such aspects diminish.
Attend to HVAC needs
HVAC can be expanded as heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. These systems together account for about 40 percent of carbon emissions. Install state of the art systems under these categories and also take steps to schedule their operation during the right times in a thoroughly regulated way. Also, maintain these systems properly to consume lesser energy. This can help reduce the building’s carbon footprint.
Lighting solutions
Optimize the flow of daylighting inside the building. In a commercial building, about 40 percent of the energy used is drawn by the lighting sources. Solar thermal gain can help lower the carbon footprint. However, the same can lead to overheating in summers. If the solar gain is less in winter, it can increase the need for heating. Stick solar control window films on the windows to cut down on energy costs.
Recycle the building materials
Choose recyclable materials for construction. Buy from green vendors and suppliers for your construction material needs. Since steel is a 100% recyclable material, it can help us reduce the total carbon footprint of the building.
Consumption of water
The amount of energy used to supply, treat and use water is one of the major factors leading to a sizeable carbon footprint. The right kind of strategies to conserve water used for construction like good plumbing materials that can prevent leaks and water losses so that your building’s carbon footprint reduces.
Source the energy to operate it from green sources
When you source your building’s energy needs from sources that are environmentally responsible, you are taking the right steps to reduce your building’s carbon footprint. Use the building walls and roofs for installing solar energy heating and solar electric photovoltaic systems. These measures can reduce the need for conventional energy.
Building location
The building’s location can play a crucial role in its carbon footprint. To be energy efficient, buildings must be located along the east-west axis. When you maximize the north-south facing glazing, you are most likely to reduce the carbon footprint. The location where a building is constructed can impact the carbon footprint. In the process of constructing a building, it is also possible to restore the given eco-system if you implement the right kind of measures.
