Green Technology in Construction
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The rise of eco-consumerism increased the demand for green technology in construction. Implementing these eco-friendly devices benefits both business owners and residents. Companies witnessed an increase in sales when advertising their sustainable practices.
Homeowners may reduce the cost of their utility bills and shrink their carbon footprint after installing green technology. And, of course, the environment benefits from society’s use of these devices. Green technology works to support the average consumer lifestyle while reducing environmental degradation.
Construction companies began installing green technology in residential and commercial buildings to increase environmental conservation. These companies install cellulose insulation, geothermal heating, eco-friendly paint, renewable energy systems, and rainwater harvesting devices to meet eco-friendly customers’ demands.
Cellulose Insulation
Home insulation is essential to the conservation of energy and heat. The material placed in the walls keeps warmth from escaping the house so the temperature control system can conserve energy. But traditional insulation materials are counter-intuitive to their function due to their lack of sustainability.
Conventional insulation materials, like polyurethane, emit high amounts of greenhouse gases in their production. Their environmental impact is so significant that it would take over 100 years to reach their greenhouse gas payback. To challenge these emissions, construction companies insulate homes using cellulose.
Cellulose is an environmentally friendly alternative material made from 80% recycled newspaper. Manufacturers treat the material with fire-resistant elements that also restrict insect tampering and mold development. If construction companies installed cellulose nationally, we could remove 3.2 million tons of newspaper from landfills annually.
Geothermal Heating
Construction companies may also install geothermal heating systems in homes and commercial buildings to enhance sustainability. The majority of residential energy expenditure derives from heating and cooling a house. To reduce the amount of greenhouse gases conventional heating and cooling systems emit, civilians source their energy from the ground.
During installation, a construction crew digs tunnels in your yard to create a heating or cooling loop. They lay piped throughout the tunnels, which carry water or refrigerant throughout the ground. Once the liquid reaches the set temperature, it is pumped back into the home where it heats or cools the air.
Geothermal heating systems can cut energy costs by 65% and eliminate the greenhouse gas emissions caused by temperature control. This technology works in any climate because the Earth’s underground temperature consistently remains between 45° F and 75° F.
Eco-Friendly Paint
Whether you are installing a new door or putting up walls, ensure that your construction crew finishes with eco-friendly paint. Conventional paints contain volatile organic compounds (VOC) That leach into the atmosphere, causing a reduction in air quality and climate disruption.
You can find mercury, formaldehyde, petrochemicals, benzene, lead, diethyl phthalate and more in your residential paint. These substances are non-biodegradable, harm human health, and disrupt the global ecosystem. Construction companies may utilize alternative paints to reduce the environmental degradation caused by traditional products.
Biodegradable, non-VOC paints use recycled elements to reduce waste. They also utilize eco-friendly materials like lime, earth-based pigments, milk protein, and clay to limit the harm produced by conventional paints.
Renewable Energy Systems
In the U.S., we may view solar-paneled roofs in our neighborhoods and wind turbines on the side of highways. Renewable energy systems have become the new way to power the world. Construction companies install these devices where there is maximum sun and wind exposure.
One may plant solar panels on roofs to transfer sunlight into power for buildings. Solar cells absorb the energy, push it to a large battery pack for storage, and filter into the home or business. This energy source eliminated the need to burn fossil fuels for conventional energy, protecting the environment from rising temperatures.
Another green technology utilized by construction companies is wind turbines. These devices convert wind into power for residential or commercial properties. Construction companies calculate the adequate placement for maximum wind collection, pour a concrete base, and erect the turbine. Installing renewable energy systems, like wind and solar, can create a zero-emission building.
Rainwater Harvesting System
To limit the amount of water waste produced by a property, one can have a company install a rainwater harvesting system. This device collects stormwater into a barrel where it may be filtered into the yard to irrigate landscaping, use to flush toilets, or used to wash clothing. More advanced systems purify and pump the water into faucets and showerheads for human use.
When a construction company installs this green device into a building, it may significantly reduce toxic runoff production. Especially in agricultural regions, runoff can carry pesticides and other toxins into the ocean. This creates uninhabitable areas for marine life, leading to a ripple effect of aquatic harm.
Explore Your Options
Limit your contribution to environmental degradation by having green technological devices installed in your home or business. First, evaluate which devices will minimize your carbon footprint because many are region-specific. Then explore local construction companies that install these devices. Once you have completed this research, you are ready to invest in environmental conservation.
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About the author
Jane Marsh
Starting from an early age, Jane Marsh loved all animals and became a budding environmentalist. Now, Jane works as the Editor-in-Chief of Environment.co where she covers topics related to climate policy, renewable energy, the food industry, and more.