Why
Build Green?
Better indoor air quality,
lower operating costs, and fewer adverse environmental impacts are a few of the many reasons Austin Energy Green Building recommends you build green.
Materials
- Reduce natural resource depletion by selecting
materials that use wood, minerals, and petroleum products
efficiently.
Energy
- Green buildings consume nearly half the
total energy produced annually in the U.S.
- Reduce air pollution—in 1998, nearly 5
million tons of greenhouse gas emissions were produced
to meet the energy demand of Austin's commercial customers.
Water
- Conserve! In 1998, Austin's commercial water
customers used nearly 11 billion gallons of water, almost
25% of the City's total water used. Processing water and
wastewater is the single largest use of electricity in
Austin.
- Take advantage of rainwater harvesting.
On average, a 2,000 sq. ft roof area can capture more
than 31,000 gallons of rain annually. Rain water can be
used for a variety of purposes.
Waste
- Reduce construction and demolition waste
to preserve our remaining landfill space. This type of
waste contributes nearly 30% to landfills annually. Addressing
the problem beforehand saves money associated with raw
materials, disposal, regulatory compliance, and liability.
Health and Liability
- Sick Building Syndrome and building-related
illnesses are found in up to 30% of new and renovated
buildings. Indoor air quality problems increase building
owner and employer costs due to sickness, absenteeism,
and increased liability claims.
- Buildings with effective ventilation, natural
light, and proper lighting levels can increase worker
productivity by as much as 16%.
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