Climate change is a big issue right now and big corporations need to put their money in the right programs and conservation projects. Modern technology has made green buildings possible. Modern green buildings are energy efficient and beneficial to their immediate surroundings.
Harnessing Natural Light
Every office needs light and one source that is both free and sustainable is the sun. Smart glass windows can allow light in when it’s needed and keep it out when it gets too hot. Smart glass can change from transparent to opaque with the touch of a button. It allows an office to save on energy costs by making full use of the sun as a natural source of light, as well as regulates temperatures during hot summer days.
Controlling the Flow of Heat and Cold
Most offices have centralized heating and air conditioning systems, but modern cooling and heating systems that use pressure independent control valves or PICV valves allow for more targeted and efficient usage. Systems that use PICVs can efficiently regulate temperatures and energy use between building levels and rooms. Integrated monitoring systems that can detect room temperatures and energy use and make changes or alert management can also significantly lower a building’s energy costs, greenhouse emissions, and equipment maintenance costs.
These systems can control a building’s heating, air conditioning, smart glass windows — and then make decisions based on the number of people present in the office or on the optimal energy use.
Energy From the Sun
Another way to reduce a building’s energy consumption is by producing energy. Solar panels on the rooftop — or even windows — can somewhat reduce a building’s reliance on the power grid. Fitting buildings with solar panels is more of a problem with design than the actual cost since the cost of solar panels is practically negligible to any large corporation.
The electricity produced by solar panels in 5 years (maybe less since commercial electricity is expensive) is enough to pay for their costs. Solar panels can be used for 25-35 years before losing 20 percent of their efficiency. Constant innovations in solar technology are making solar panels more efficient, durable, and more affordable.
Green Walls and Vertical Gardens
Buildings with green facades are popping up all around the world. Aside from being beautiful sights, these buildings also have a significant impact on their immediate surroundings. A green façade or rooftop regulates a building’s internal temperature, while also significantly lowering temperatures outside by up to 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
Green facades also reduce the level of noise pollution, cutting down ambient noise levels by up to 10 decibels. However, the most significant environmental impact of green facades is the reduction of air pollution in its surroundings. Studies have shown that certain green buildings reduce pollution and particulate matter in their surroundings by as much as 10-20 percent.
Climate change is real. Constructing greener buildings is a step in the right direction and it would somewhat remove the fear of those who believe that the world is facing destruction because of human activity.
