According to an article by World Green Building Council, 39% of all the energy-related carbon dioxide in the world comes from the construction industry: 28% from operational emissions and 11% from materials and construction. As a result, sustainability is becoming a priority for general contractors and project managers. Many businesses must look for ways to improve operations, reduce carbon emissions, and create environmentally friendly places. To stay competitive, you must know how important sustainability is and what good things construction technology can do.
As the construction industry continues to expand and grow, the world’s supply of non-renewable resources slowly becomes scarcer and more expensive. Green construction becomes more than just a way to be kind to the environment. Luckily, in today’s present world, there are many green construction technologies that you can utilize – they can help you save money in the long run and benefit the environment too.
But what is green construction technology, and why are contractors and project managers switching from traditional resources? In this article, let us delve into its definition, benefits, and types of technologies that can help you deliver sustainable projects that can stand the test of time.
So, What Is Green Construction Technology?
In a nutshell, green construction technology features new technologies to make buildings with as little environmental impact as possible at every stage of their life, from planning to demolition.
Using green technology in construction means using tools, construction software, or building methods that have a more minor impact on the planet than usual. It allows you to make buildings with as little environmental impact as possible at every stage of their lifecycle, from design to operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition.
The main goal of green buildings is to reduce the harmful effects of buildings on the environment, such as releasing carbon dioxide and other toxic gases and using up natural resources by harvesting building materials wastefully. Green building technology should be cost-effective and last a long time for builders and people who will live in the building to be willing to put money into it. It might seem a vast and scary investment at first, but it can give you significant returns in the long run.
The Advantages of Utilizing Green Construction Technology in Your Operations
Green building techniques can give you an edge over your competitors – when utilized properly. You can create visually pleasing yet efficient and functional spaces that exceed client expectations. It makes less of an impact on the world and makes the building you built last longer. Here are more reasons why using green building practices is a good idea.
Gain a Competitive Market Edge
Green building technology can give your client an edge in the market, lessen your impact on the world, and even make the building last longer.
Once you switch to a greener and more environmentally friendly way of building and apply for different certifications to boost your credibility, your business will be in a better position.
Building LEED-certified buildings shows that your business cares about the environment and wants to make a difference. It can help your brand stand out and bring in more eco-friendly customers. You can check out the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED Rating System( LEED rating system | U.S. Green Building Council (usgbc.org)) to check what specific rules or requirements can help your project get certified.
Build Projects That Can Stand the Test of Time
Green building projects use materials that last longer and suit the environment, like stone, metal, and brick. It helps make the structures last longer. Using durable and efficient materials can make the building last longer, reduce the maintenance it needs, and save money in the long run.
Aside from making the building last longer, you can also reduce the maintenance needed and save money in the long run. Sustainable materials can help reduce the structure’s carbon footprint in the long run. It can help you improve your construction work, make your clients happier, and strengthen your position in the industry. Using eco-friendly building methods can help you stand out because they are innovative in building and designing.
Reduce Your On-Site Wastes
Sustainable building technology can also help reduce on-site waste. One example is construction inventory software – this can help you find ways to reduce waste and better use resources by tracking how materials are used on-site. Project managers can also track the progress and effects of sustainability projects over time by keeping track of things like fuel, energy, and materials costs.
Lower Your Carbon Footprint
Traditional building methods use more materials and energy and send more trash to landfills than green building methods, all the way up to making buildings that use no power.
Using construction scheduling software helps you to cascade information quickly with just a few clicks. This reduces the need to physically access the site for information – you can access real-time data through the software. Getting from one place to another daily uses a lot of gas, which means carbon emissions will rise as the project is built. By choosing the best route and planning and utilizing online or cloud-based communication tools, your team can use less fuel and stay on track.
Create a Safe and Healthy Environment
Using green methods and technology to build helps the people who will live there in more ways than one. For example, using green floorings like bamboo or cork cuts down on your impact on the environment, and it makes your home less toxic because it has no synthetic fibers or chemicals. As another benefit, creating a space with increased air quality for working and living will make clients happier in the long run.
What Kinds of Green Construction Technologies Are There?
Green building technology involves looking at different parts of the building process and figuring out how to make them less harmful to the environment. Several green building technologies are used to ensure that buildings will last for a long time. In this article, we have compiled a list of green construction technologies that you can consider for your construction business.
3D printing
3D printing in construction is just starting to catch on, but it could change the industry. Additive manufacturing is a crucial technology for green building because it reduces waste and has less of an impact on the environment. Young people may be especially interested in 3D-printed construction jobs because they involve technology and are suitable for the environment.
Prefab and Modular Buildings
Prefabricated and modular building is becoming more popular because it is more efficient and better for the environment. Both building methods use streamlined additive manufacturing methods that reduce waste, and traditional building methods also cause more noise pollution and use more energy than prefab construction.
Efficient and Functional Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Systems
About half of the energy a building need goes to heating, cooling, and ventilation (HVAC). So, it is unsurprising that this field has become essential for new ideas – many contractors are thinking of ways to design better and more efficient systems.
Today, most buildings and homes have HVAC systems – this is one of the things that makes them modern buildings or homes. All of the rooms in a house get warm, cool, or dehumidified air through a system of ducts. An HVAC system in the middle of the house is one of the quietest and most convenient ways to cool the home. It is essential to have these in place so people can live or stay in the space comfortably.
Smart Appliances
Since homes and businesses use a lot of energy, using intelligent appliances when building green buildings is essential. Refrigerators, dishwashers, and washing machines are examples of intelligent appliances. These green technologies can help you give your clients a better experience and build better structures for the environment. As technology improves, people can use home or building automation to make their lives easier and more fun.
Construction Management Software
To ensure successful projects, you must stay on top to ensure everything is progressing on schedule. Using the software, such as construction management software or construction process improvement software, can help you streamline your operations. It makes it easy to keep track of progress, manage resources, and ensure people are held responsible at every stage of a project’s life cycle. It can also help companies become more environmentally friendly by improving operations, reducing waste, and making each project more environmentally friendly. Because of these benefits, it is a must-have for any modern construction company that wants to work faster and save money on projects of all sizes.
Here are some benefits of using software that will help your company operations become more stable:
Paperless Operations
Software can help your company go paperless by digitalizing everything. Using less paper is a big step toward building more sustainably. Going paperless not only saves trees all over the world but also makes things more organized and efficient. Going paperless might seem like a minor deal every day, but it can help a lot in the fight against climate change.
Accurate Automation
Accurate automation is another good thing about construction technology. Using automated systems to do something that used to be done by hand makes sustainable construction technology more efficient and productive. For example, construction time tracking software can automate timecards and payroll, usually done on paper. You can collect digital timecards, keep track of employees’ hours, accurately calculate paychecks, send out wages, and file payroll documents in easy-to-use digital workflows. This way, you can shift your concentration away from the tedious, laborious tasks and focus on the more essential parts of managing construction.