Green buildings can lead to a cleaner environment, better health and a stronger economy. Buildings consume two-thirds of all electricity used in the United States. Green buildings can reduce energy consumption of an individual structure by up to 40%. Building construction and demolition create 136 million tons of waster per year. Green buildings encourage recycling and reuse of materials to reduce waste in our landfills. Most people spend hours in buildings where the air inside can be worse than outdoors. Green buildings make interiors cleaner, healthier and more comfortable. The benefits of green building are numerous and together they create a convincing case for changing the way buildings in the United States are constructed and renovated.
Six Reasons to Go Green
- Reduced energy and water consumption
- Lower initial construction cost
- Higher building valuation
- Increased local economic growth
- Improved occupant health
- Improved environmental health