23 October 2023
By Roger Kennedy
roger@TheCork.ie
Eco-friendly Practices For Construction Firms
In a world where climate change is a primary concern, it’s understandable that more people are becoming eco-conscious and have a growing desire to preserve and protect the natural environment.
Of course, there are many ways to conserve our environment, but let’s discuss the most basic approach – building our homes and businesses. That’s where construction firms and real estate developers come into play.
Well, with an intelligent design -the right design, you can be surprised how much energy you can conserve and reduce the negative impact on the environment up to tenfold. Believe it or not, construction companies have the power to save and preserve the climate.
But how can they do this?
To reduce the harm we do to our environment and primarily stay in business, construction firms have been looking into green principle solutions that ultimately promote the sustainability of the environment and save the costs on the client’s side.
Here’s a list of some implemented designs and new business practices construction firms should employ to remain eco-friendly. Learn more from Mitchell McDermott, a leader in sustainable construction.
Techniques Construction Firms Should Prioritize in Their Eco-building Projects
Space Customization
Well, it’s no secret that the larger the building, the more energy it demands. And while, sometimes, the size of the building is unavoidable, perhaps due to the client’s requests or the land’s size, the energy conservation issue is still on the table.
So, how can we conserve energy?
In such situations, construction firms must step up when developing suitable designs to save on space and energy. For instance, the firms can prioritize building a taller project rather than a wider one. A taller building will help keep the indoor temperatures constant throughout the day, improving energy efficiency and reducing the need for air conditioning.
Focus on Daylight and Passive House Design
These two principles revolve around energy conservation and the effective use of natural light.
Natural light is free and readily available, so construction firms should take on the challenge and focus on how homes and corporations can maximize entirely on natural light.
Some construction companies are promoting the use of dual and triple-paned windows. Of course, these large paned windows will allow a lot of natural light, eliminating the need to switch the lights on during the day and sometimes at night. Or better yet, some are installing skylights on the roofs to take advantage of the sun’s light. That way, as a client, you don’t have to worry about your electricity bills.
Moreover, construction companies can fit in solar systems. We all have a brief understanding of how solar systems work- light energy is primarily converted into electricity. Installation of solar panels or plates undeniably saves you money and conserves energy. Building firms should incorporate solar power into homes and secure partnerships with green companies.
House design and orientation are crucial to improving energy efficiency. Architects can design rooms requiring longer natural light to face south since the south receives light most of the day. They can also develop ways to allow for passive breezes in the rooms, allowing cross ventilation, ideally reducing reliance on the HVAC system.
Choice of Materials
The choice of materials can influence the impact on the environment. Construction firms can preferably use wood instead of concrete. Remember that trees are a renewable energy source, as we can always replant them. Using wood instead of mined stones helps improve the aesthetic look of the environment and effectively uses energy.
Besides, lightweight materials like wood are suitable for hot environments, while thermal mass materials are more suited for colder areas.
Insulation of Walls and Roofs
Undeniably, most heat escapes through the walls and roofs. So, instead of setting up water heaters to keep yourself warm, you can have insulated walls and ceilings. That way, you limit heat loss to the outside and maintain a suitable temperature for your home instead of using power to the heat.
Installation of Automatic Lights
How often have you forgotten to switch off your lights and left the rooms unattended?
Construction firms should ideally incorporate the idea of automatic lights into the home’s overall design. Instead of leaving lights on and using more unnecessary energy, install automatic lights with motion detectors. Clients will conserve energy and reduce their electricity bills; ideally, they won’t have to deal with switching the lights on and off.
Water Conservation Measures
Roof-mounted tanks will do you a solid if you aim to save up on a lot of water.
Construction companies should include water collecting and tanking projects in the building of your home.
Homeowners can use the stored water to clean the rooms and laundry and flush the toilets, ideally saving thousands of gallons of water.
What Construction Firms Have To Do
As the world grows, more eco-conscious construction firms will have to include some of these practices to improve their productivity and reduce the costs on the client’s side. Construction firms should also collaborate with technology companies and develop more energy-efficient designs. Working with the community will also guarantee the sustainability of the eco goals and promote their businesses.