“Green Building” Practices are Good for the Environment & Business

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) reports, “As of May 2016, more than 15 billion square feet of building space is LEED-certified worldwide. More than 851 million square feet of real estate space became LEED-certified in 2015, representing a 10.4 percent jump from 2014.”  They add that the green building market will set a record in 2015 with “LEED-certification being reported as a top sustainable goal for both public and private organizations.”   

One of incentives to construct LEED certified buildings is that despite the initial higher investment, the building is ultimately more valuable.  USGBC cites an average increase in value of 4 percent, in part, due to the building’s energy efficiencies and reduced maintenance costs.  The return on the investment is typically as fast as seven years and that doesn’t take into account the enhanced health benefits for the buildings’ occupants and the benefits to the environment.     

In addition according to the USGBC, LEED certified buildings “report almost 20 percent lower maintenance costs than typical commercial buildings, and green building retrofit projects typically decrease operation costs by almost 10 percent in just one year.”  Further statistics indicate that LEED certified buildings in the U.S. offer an estimated:  $1.2 billion in energy savings; $149.5 million in water savings, $715.2 million in maintenance savings and $54.2 million in waste savings.    

Experts state that the growth in green building is also fueled by higher standards and guidelines both federally and state-wide.  In addition there is a greater awareness by the general public regarding rising energy costs and global water shortages.  A number of new projects are becoming even more ambitious and are working to construct buildings that have an annual zero net energy usage. 

At The Conco Companies, we are one of the leading concrete contractors in the Western U.S. and offer a wide range of quality services and products.  Our experience includes providing services for commercial, educational, parking and other construction development as well as public works projects.  We serve California, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada.

Source:usgbc.org/articles/green-building-facts