How to Make a Building Go Green
When you want to go green with an existing building, you can take steps to reduce environmental impact without making major structural changes. By effectively managing the way a building uses water and energy, you can improve its carbon footprint and cut utility bills. As you plan ways to go green, start with small changes, which can add up to a big impact.
Step 1:Update your building's lighting to make sure it uses energy efficiently. Change existing light bulbs for compact fluorescent bulbs, which use up to 75 percent less power. Put lights on a timer so they automatically shut off at night or when you are away.
Step 2:Make sure your building is well insulated, so you are not wasting energy on heating or cooling. Start by checking that insulation is up to code, particularly in unheated spaces; if you have walls that border uninsulated outbuildings, make sure that they are well protected. Insulate pipes that pass through cold spaces to ensure that you don't lose heat.
Step 3:Reduce your building's electricity use. Plug groups of appliances into a smart power strip that uses a timer mechanism to turn them all off at a certain time. Even when they are turned off, electronics often have phantom power use when plugged directly into the wall. Set computers to turn off after being inactive for a certain time and eliminate screen savers, which use as much energy as active screens. If you have the capital, invest in a timer system that switches off the power to nonessential systems each night.
Step 4:Turn down your heating and cooling system when your building is not occupied. By dropping the heat by 10 degrees over eight hours, you can reduce energy use by 10 percent. You can also turn your water heater off when the building is empty over vacations. You should also make sure that your heating and cooling systems are maintained regularly so they use energy efficiently and last longer.
Step 5:Reduce the amount of water you use for normal operations throughout the building. Fix leaks and replace your existing fixtures with low-flow options. According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, low-flow shower heads save over 7 gallons per minute. You can also use dual-flush toilets.
Step 1:Update your building's lighting to make sure it uses energy efficiently. Change existing light bulbs for compact fluorescent bulbs, which use up to 75 percent less power. Put lights on a timer so they automatically shut off at night or when you are away.
Step 2:Make sure your building is well insulated, so you are not wasting energy on heating or cooling. Start by checking that insulation is up to code, particularly in unheated spaces; if you have walls that border uninsulated outbuildings, make sure that they are well protected. Insulate pipes that pass through cold spaces to ensure that you don't lose heat.
Step 3:Reduce your building's electricity use. Plug groups of appliances into a smart power strip that uses a timer mechanism to turn them all off at a certain time. Even when they are turned off, electronics often have phantom power use when plugged directly into the wall. Set computers to turn off after being inactive for a certain time and eliminate screen savers, which use as much energy as active screens. If you have the capital, invest in a timer system that switches off the power to nonessential systems each night.
Step 4:Turn down your heating and cooling system when your building is not occupied. By dropping the heat by 10 degrees over eight hours, you can reduce energy use by 10 percent. You can also turn your water heater off when the building is empty over vacations. You should also make sure that your heating and cooling systems are maintained regularly so they use energy efficiently and last longer.
Step 5:Reduce the amount of water you use for normal operations throughout the building. Fix leaks and replace your existing fixtures with low-flow options. According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, low-flow shower heads save over 7 gallons per minute. You can also use dual-flush toilets.