Over the past decade, much has been written about the advantages of green building: it is more sustainable for the environment, provides better health for building occupants, and can save owners on energy costs. Building owners may wonder if it is worth going through the certification process for their green construction project or if they should just design it to the standard without the green stamp.
We’re going to discuss the pros and cons of green building certification.
What are Common Green Building Certification Programs?
Several initiatives offer certification for green buildings. Some are available worldwide, while others are limited to certain countries. Not every certification will suit every building or project, as different parameters must be considered, such as methodology, energy efficiency, and material schedule in construction. The design team must review each individually to decide which program is right for the project.
1. WELL Building Standard:
The International WELL Building Institute bestows the WELL Building Standard, which emphasizes seven fundamental ideas and examines how buildings affect people’s health and well-being overall.
2. Energy Star:
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy offer Energy Star certification. To be qualified, buildings must be at least 15% more energy efficient than conventional construction. The certification is valid for a year.
3. LEED:
The Green Building Certification Institute oversees the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program. It has been in the industry for almost 20 years and has played a major role in the market transformation that has led to the current popularity of green buildings. Numerous project categories are eligible for certification, including core and shell projects, new construction, existing structures, houses, and retail establishments. Certification levels vary from Certified to Platinum.
4. BREEAM:
The Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method is a global initiative for environmentally friendly infrastructure and building developments. It encompasses renovations, new construction, and existing structures.
5. Living Building Challenge:
This accreditation method is based on how well a building performs over 12 months. It covers the certification of the building’s construction techniques and materials. After the data has been provided, projects undergo an audit to verify their certification.
6. National Green Building Standard:
The National Association of Home Builders created the National Green Building Standard, which exclusively applies to residential buildings. Mixed-use developments, single-family residences, and multi-family projects are all considered certifiable projects. The standard is certified at multiple levels, from Bronze to Emerald. After the project is finished, an independent inspection is conducted, and all scores are verified.
7. Green Globes:
The Green Building Initiative offers Green Globes, which fall into three categories: interiors, existing structures, and new development. The procedure includes a third-party site evaluation, a post-assessment, and an online survey.
Advantages of Green Building Certification
Constructing a green building is not equivalent to earning a green building certification. Without seeking certification, some projects are built in accordance with green building requirements without any merit. A project owner’s dedication to green building is demonstrated by their certification. The design and construction teams frequently have to put in more effort and incur higher costs due to the certification procedure. The importance of this value to the project team is demonstrated by their readiness to pay more to “prove” that the project complies with green construction requirements.
Tax Incentives
Tax incentives for green building projects are available in many states and municipalities. Some of these advantages depend on achieving a specific certification level, while others rely on energy savings. Additionally, the US federal government provides tax credits for specific project categories. These incentives and credits can help waive the additional costs of certification.
Increased Property Value
Numerous real estate research studies show that green buildings sell and lease more quickly than conventional buildings. Additionally, the rental and lease rates for these structures are higher. Depending on the degree of certification obtained, green buildings are known to cost more than conventional buildings, and in US and Australian research, green building rental premiums ranged from 0 to 17.3%. Both business and residential tenants are drawn to certified green buildings.
Cost Saving
Green buildings sell and lease more quickly than conventional buildings, according to numerous real estate research. Additionally, the rental and lease rates for these structures are higher. Depending on the degree of certification obtained, green buildings are known to cost more than conventional buildings and in US and Australian research, green building rental premiums ranged from 0 to 17.3%. Both business and residential tenants are drawn to certified green buildings.
Certification programs demand objective data to ascertain whether a structure or project satisfies the program’s requirements. Material data sheets, simulation reports, energy bills, and either pictures or an examination of the finished project are examples of this data. The required certification data can be easily extracted from construction crew management software that you have integrated into your business. The programs ensure that buildings reach their criteria rather than merely pretending to by requesting this data.
Energy Saving
Sustainable building techniques in residential construction contribute to creating more eco-friendly and efficient structures by lowering energy use, greenhouse gas emissions, and natural resource consumption. Projects that meet strict criteria for indoor air quality, energy efficiency, and resource conservation—all of which improve the health of occupants—are recognized as green buildings.
To receive these certificates, homes must adhere to regulations such as utilizing eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient systems, and renewable energy sources like solar panels. Advanced insulation and highly efficient HVAC systems are certified buildings’ common features, demonstrating their dedication to sustainability. Overall, these criteria emphasize a project’s emphasis on reducing its negative effects on the environment while fostering healthier living environments.
Green building has many different aspects. They cover topics like water use, energy efficiency, site features, lowering the use of chemicals in interior finishes, and material schedules in construction. While some certification schemes concentrate on the building or project as a whole, others just address energy use. These more thorough measurements guarantee that the project design takes into account not only energy use but also other facets of sustainable construction.
Disadvantages of Green Building Certification
Costly Application
Several certification programs charge extra fees to get a project certified. These expenses may include registration fees, document submission fees, third-party inspection fees, and certification fees following project approval. There could also be increased project expenses when achieving project objectives like water or energy savings. However, many of these increased expenses can be avoided by implementing integrated design early on and bringing contractors on board as soon as feasible.
Biased Criteria
Certain certification programs evaluate a building’s “greenness” only once construction is complete. They do not examine a building’s ongoing activities to determine how well it functions once it is occupied.
This may result in some projects receiving counterfeit certification since they may be intended to be environmentally friendly but fail to live up to the hype when put into practice. These problems can be avoided by recertifying projects or employing certifications using end-user occupancy data.
It might be simple to start “point-chasing” as the project approaches the certification level target that the project team has chosen. This frequently results in extra expenses and superfluous design elements that are solely added to satisfy certification requirements. Additionally, teams may become fixated on incorporating every aspect of a certification program, losing sight of the building’s primary goal.
Before evaluating the possible level of certification, it could be best to finish the preliminary design. This will keep the building program intact and prevent rivals from competing for points or a certain certification level from overshadowing it.
Building owners can gain numerous advantages by pursuing green building certification. These include shorter construction crew scheduling, greater indoor air quality, higher sales and leasing rates, tax incentives, commitment visibility, and a broader understanding of sustainable building. Some owners may question whether certification is really necessary given the rising expenses of inspections, extra paperwork, and enhanced project features. As we deplete the planet’s resources and work to minimize our influence on the environment, green construction is becoming increasingly important, whether a project is certified or not.
Key Takeaway
Healthy living spaces result from integrating sustainable practices with conventional building techniques, which is now considered crucial in residential construction. The advantages of green building techniques extend beyond short-term profits and impact numerous facets of residential construction and environmental sustainability, including lowering carbon footprints and conserving natural resources. Homeowners and developers can earn green construction accreditation, save a lot of money on energy and water bills, boost property values, and draw in eco-aware buyers.
A number of developments and trends are anticipated to propel the expansion of sustainable buildings in the future. The prevalence of building technology advancements, such as energy-efficient materials and smart home systems, will increase the sustainability and efficiency of residential construction.
As the development of new environmentally friendly materials and techniques continues, there will probably be more opportunities to obtain green certifications. Additionally, heightened awareness and more stringent laws about environmental effects are anticipated to encourage the global adoption of green building principles.
Green building is a sensible and essential option for the upcoming generation of homebuilders, and it will continue to influence residential development as the worldwide emphasis on sustainable construction rises.
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