The Earth is experiencing a climate change crisis due to global warming: annual temperatures have increased by twice the average since 1981. 40% of greenhouse gases are produced due to unsustainable buildings. One way to play your role in combating global warming is to use sustainable practices during the construction or renovation of your building. Here are five ways you can adapt your building to be more sustainable.
1. Use renewable energy
Installing wind, solar and geothermal systems in your building can significantly reduce your carbon footprint. Solar panels can be placed on the roofs of your buildings, which absorb solar energy and produce electricity. Residential wind turbines are another excellent option for construction in windy areas. Or you can invest in a geothermal temperature control system, an HVAC system that uses underground energy to heat or cool homes without greenhouse gas emissions.
2. Reuse water
Water helps create and sustain Earth's ecosystems, but every year, 380 billion cubic meters of municipal wastewater is produced, which causes a decrease in available drinking water. If you have a building complex such as a hotel, shopping center or resort, you can install a fully automated membrane bioreactor for wastewater treatment . This technology saves water by completely cleaning and filtering wastewater, making it reusable.
Another option is a rainwater harvesting system that collects rainwater in barrels. This water can be directed to a filtration system for bathing, drinking and washing. This system will also reduce rainwater coming from the building's foundation, reducing its humidity levels and increasing longevity. These practices will help save water and preserve the essential ecosystems that the Earth needs.
In addition to rainwater collection systems, innovative wastewater treatment technologies such as membrane bioreactors (MBR) offer a significant leap forward in achieving water sustainability in buildings. By implementing MBR technology, buildings can efficiently treat and recycle their wastewater on-site, reducing demand on municipal systems and improving their sustainability profile.
3. Install cool roofs
Cool roofs can help reduce energy waste on air conditioning and ventilation units, a huge source of greenhouse gas production. 441 million tons annually. They use reflective or light-colored material to reduce solar heat absorption, reflecting the sun's rays instead of absorbing them. This keeps the building cool and reduces the use of air conditioning units.
4. Use environmentally friendly building materials
Eco-friendly building materials, such as bamboo and precast concrete slabs, can significantly reduce your building's carbon footprint. Unsustainable and non-recyclable building materials end up in landfills, responsible for 11% of greenhouse gas emissions. Bamboo grows quickly and can be used for cabinets and flooring. Precast concrete slabs are more sustainable than regular concrete because their manufacture uses less energy.
Another way to reuse waste from these landfills is by using cellulose insulation from recycled newspapers. Newspaper is treated to achieve desirable insulation qualities such as low flammability and pest control.
5. Use smart appliances
In this modern era, smart appliances can help you increase the energy efficiency of your buildings. For example, smart thermostats decrease HVAC usage and emissions by adjusting the temperature based on the weather and whether the home is occupied. Likewise, smart ovens reduce heat loss by having internal thermometers and cameras that deliver information directly to your smartphone, reducing the need to open the oven.
Smart water systems can help you increase water efficiency by monitoring and reducing water usage, which is necessary to prevent wasteful home leaks. 900 billion gallons of water annually. They can detect pipe breaks or leaks, allowing you to ask a plumber to fix it immediately instead of letting water and mold grow over time until you notice. The devices will reduce your bills and carbon footprint over time.
Final grade
Adopting sustainable practices can help reduce greenhouse gases, which contribute to reducing global warming. Decrease your carbon footprint by using solar, wind or geothermal energy to produce electricity and cool roofs to keep the building cool in hot climates. Smart appliances can help reduce energy used for HVAC. Using cellulose insulation or reusable old equipment during construction can help decrease landfill waste. Use MBR technology and build rainwater harvesting systems to save water. These practices will make your construction more sustainable.
