However, green contractors still face some real challenges. They have to plan their designs carefully.

Guidelines for Designing Eco-Friendly Buildings

Designing and developing commercial sustainable real estate is a no-brainer. Green features save money, attract top-quality talent, and ensure the planet remains livable for the foreseeable future. The real challenge is not in convincing developers to incorporate sustainable design, but in offering building solutions that make a significant impact.

This is an especially salient challenge for older buildings that were designed to radically different standards and specifications. With the following upgrades, any commercial property can significantly reduce their energy consumption and environmental impact without a full renovation. They even work with older buildings.

Window Replacement

In industrial and commercial properties, windows serve multiple purposes. They regulate temperature, provide privacy, and also serve as a safety feature. Thick tempered glass is shatterproof and ensures that employees or customers are not harmed if the window’s integrity becomes compromised.

The role of windows in improving energy conservation is something that has only recently been a topic of conversation. For this reason, buildings that were constructed at least 50 years ago contain windows with single-pane glass, which provides minimal insulation.

Replacing single-pane windows with more sustainable dual or triple-pane glass is costly. However, with energy costs on the rise, upgrading windows makes financial sense in the long run.

If a full window replacement isn’t something that they can afford, property owners can consider a more affordable alternative such as window films.

LED Lighting

The ubiquitous fluorescent lighting found in many office spaces has earned a well-deserved bad rap. Overexposure to fluorescent lighting causes a myriad of conditions, including eye strain, headaches, and fatigue.

Even more troubling, fluorescent bulbs contain highly toxic materials. In fact, a broken bulb is considered a hazardous event. Since the lifespan of a fluorescent bulb shortens considerably when the light switch is frequently turned on and off, these products simply don’t fit into the energy-saving plans implemented by modern companies.

Most of the issues posed by fluorescent bulbs can be easily resolved by switching to LED lighting. LEDs use up considerably less energy and have a much longer lifespan than fluorescent lights. Even better, LEDs can offer these advantages without any toxic components.

Since LED lighting mimics the effects of natural light, it offers many of the same benefits, including improved mood and increased concentration.

Best of all, incorporating LED lighting into an already existing light fixture is straightforward and affordable.

SMART HVAC Systems

Heating and cooling costs are two of the largest maintenance expenses for any commercial property.  Utilizing traditional set and forget styles of HVAC systems can cost companies thousands of dollars in unnecessary energy costs.

SMART systems leverage technologies such as internet of things devices, wireless connections, and data analysis to create ideal indoor climates that adjust automatically.

SMART HVAC systems can make instant heating and cooling decisions based on outdoor temperatures and other factors. Systems that are integrated with commercial building access systems can even base decisions on the preferences of each individual employee.

Green Landscaping

By incorporating green features and landscape design, developers can improve a commercial building’s green rating without making a single change to the property itself.

If the existing roof is suitable, adding a green roof garden is a feasible and effective way for reducing a company’s environmental impact. Green roofs counter all sorts of urban ailments.

For example, a rooftop garden can combat the heat island effect, a phenomenon caused by buildings and other manmade structures absorbing ultrahigh amounts of heat. Further, a green roof measuring roughly 20,000 square feet has the capacity to remove more than 9,000 kilograms of carbon emissions from the air every year.

Green spaces are also linked with employee satisfaction and retention.

Sustainable Retrofitting

Retrofitting is a popular option for upgrading older properties for a minimal cost. Property developers and leases can install energy monitoring systems to increase the efficiency of outdated infrastructure.

A series of monitoring devices and a smart, responsive submetering system can hand over more data and control to companies who want to gain more insight into their energy usage.

Even planned maintenance and construction projects can serve as opportunities for sustainable retrofitting. For example, using sustainably sourced and recyclable building materials are an easy swap to incrementally improve the building’s green rating. Likewise, property developers should ensure that all upgrades align with the standards of a reputable sustainability rating system, such as LEED or WELL.

Water Conservation Features

Commercial buildings are responsible for a quarter of all water usage and are a key sector for promoting sustainable use and conservation.

Property developers can take advantage of both design features and technology integration to reduce water consumption. Stormwater management systems can help harvest and repurpose tons of rainwater. Additionally, installing greywater systems that safely utilize wastewater for flushing toilets or irrigating non-edible plants, can also reduce consumption significantly.

The post The Best Green Upgrades for Commercial Buildings appeared first on Green Building Insider.

In a world where energy-efficient and sensitive to the environment is becoming more necessary than ever, reusing and upcycling is gaining popularity. More and more people are buying second-hand clothes, furniture and other items to stop creating waste and increase the life cycle of things that have already been manufactured.
The question is, how far can the concept of reusing things be taken? For example, renovating and remodeling an old home would be better than building an entirely new property. You need to build additions or make renovations to your eco-friendly house carefully. This is a question many people have, and today we’re going to explore this and determine the best way to have a great home without harming the environment.

In theory, buying an old home and bringing it up to the modern era should be better for the environment. Less building materials would go into it and require less funding, so it surely must be better, right?

The answer isn’t that simple or straightforward. In many ways, a remodel can be worse for sustainability. So, how do the two different options match up when it comes to what’s better for our planet?

New Materials and Innovations Making Sustainability More Accessible

It’s safe to say that we collectively have more innovations and new ideas than ever before in terms of sustainable technologies. When it comes to understanding what’s good for the planet, we know more than we did decades ago, which means that homes that are built now will be way more sustainable than what was built a long time ago. Along with this, building regulations have also shifted to ensure that energy and the materials being used for the building are carefully considered.

So, if you were to purchase an older house, you might incur more costs because it will need to be brought up to today’s codes. It might not always be as easy as making a few simple changes for sustainability. You might need to deal with undertakings like new windows, new floors, outdoor cladding and alternative energy sources. Ultimately, a brand-new home can be built with sustainability in mind from the ground up.

If you’re getting a loan to renovate, you might find that the more sustainable upgrades will completely eat up the amount you qualify for before you even get to the cosmetic fixes. It’s essential to know how much you can get, which you can do at sites like https://reverse.mortgage/.

Another exciting development in sustainability and construction is the rise of the tiny home movement, where people purposefully build smaller homes to reduce waste and harm to the planet. There are now smart ways to make use of space more efficiently, and technology can make a living in a smaller area feel less claustrophobic. This again would not have been possible decades ago, showing that new construction can find ways to be friendly to the planet and stylish.

What About Waste?

On the other side of this debate is the amount of waste produced by the different methods of building or achieving a quality home. One of the most significant issues the planet faces is what to do with all the waste that society produces as an effect of development and progress. It has been reported that millions of tons of furniture make its way to landfills every year, adding to the vast heaps of waste that’s already polluting the planet. If we’re producing this much furniture waste, how much waste could construction projects possibly be producing year over year? Renovation offers the chance for us to have less construction waste.

New builds come with a lot of waste, and if we’re able to reuse and recycle or at least get rid of less stuff, we might reduce the items that make it to landfills. Sure, there are ways to make new construction less wasteful, but it’s fair to say the one thing renovations have over new construction is that waste can be controlled a lot more and that certain things need repairs, not outright replacements. There is even a chance to extend the life cycle of items in an older home without using them yourself. Through the rise of sites like Facebook Marketplace, you can sell the old stuff in your home instead of throwing it away, so in that way you aren’t adding to the landfill issue we have.

If you care about sustainability, you might think that the world of building and construction doesn’t make it easy to achieve. There are, however, ways to make any building project a bit better for the planet. It’s all about starting with your goal in mind and making sure every detail in the home helps the earth. Do your research before you build, and you’ll be able to accomplish both a beautiful home and piece of property that moves away from the waste and energy inefficiencies that are plaguing our planet.

The post Is Renovating or a New Build Better for the Planet? appeared first on Green Building Insider.

There are a lot of factors that you need to think about when doing renovations for an eco-friendly property. You have to make sure that the renovations are done in the most environmentally friendly manner possible, while also ensuring they meet your specifications.

This includes making sure that carpets are cleaned with eco-friendly methods. You can’t afford to leave carpet stains or residue during the renovation process, but must make sure that you don’t leave an unnecessary carbon footprint while cleaning.

What steps can you take to clean your carpets in the most environmentally friendly way when renovating a property? You can learn more below.

Eco-Friendly Carpet Cleaning Ideas for Home Renovations

Cleaning your carpet is a necessary part of renovating a home. You can handle this part of the renovation process yourself if you don’t want to pay more.

However, many people may choose to hire professional cleaners as opposed to cleaning the carpet themselves. Here are ten techniques you can use to clean your carpets and maintain a healthy environment at the same time:

1. Steam Cleaning

Using an industrial steam cleaner, especially on carpets that need a deeper clean, is an effective and eco-friendly method of carpet cleaning. Typically steam cleaners use distilled water which leaves no harmful residues behind and they also heat the water to very high temperatures which will kill any germs or bacteria as well as lift out dirt. If you do not own a steamer some companies can send out a professional cleaner who will bring their equipment.

2. Baking Soda

Baking soda is extremely effective at absorbing odors, making it great for cleaning carpets. The best way to use baking soda for carpet cleaning is to sprinkle the area with baking soda and leave it there for 12 hours or even overnight before vacuuming it up. This is a great eco-friendly method for removing stains as well.

3. Hydrogen Peroxide

Mixing hydrogen peroxide with water will create an amazing carpet cleaner that you can use to remove most stains, including blood, wine, and dirt marks. The carpet must be first vacuumed before you treat it as this will help the hydrogen peroxide to penetrate more deeply into the carpet. You should apply some hydrogen peroxide directly onto a stained area and leave it for around 30 minutes before rinsing with cold water.

4. White Vinegar

White vinegar may be one of the best natural cleaners you can use on your carpets. You can spray white vinegar onto your carpet, leave it for an hour before you vacuum the area up to remove dirt and stains. White vinegar has a mild odor which makes it great to use if carpets have a strong smell of dog or smoking. This technique is also fantastic for removing urine smells from carpets as well, making it great for pets.

5. Natural Detergents

Most eco-friendly carpet cleaners on the market are non-toxic and biodegradable. They work by using surfactants found in most soaps to help break down dirt which makes it easier for you to remove it from your carpets. Natural detergents are super effective at removing dirt and stains from carpets so you don’t have to worry about using too much force while cleaning.

6. Baking Soda & Essential Oils

Adding a few drops of your favorite essential oil into baking soda before applying it directly onto the carpet is a great way to get rid of unwanted odors from carpets, including pet smells. Leave the mixture on your carpet for an hour before you vacuum it up and you will be surprised by how well the smell disappears!

7. Cream of Tartar

Using cream of tartar is one of the best ways to get rid of any stubborn stains that are left on your carpets after they have been cleaned. It will help to brighten up your carpets and make them look new again. Mix half a cup of cream of tartar with a few drops of lemon juice in a bottle, shake well, and then spray onto the stains on your carpet before scrubbing in.

8. White Vinegar & Baking Soda

If you want to remove pet stains from your carpets with minimal effort then this is the perfect trick for you. Simply mix equal parts of white vinegar and baking soda into a bowl before sprinkling it onto the stained area on your carpet. Leave there for 10 – 15 minutes before vacuuming up the mixture and the stain should be removed completely.

9. Citrus Peels

Citrus peels contain natural cleaning agents which are great for removing dirt from carpets. You don’t need to wait until you have an orange or lemon peel handy as the skin of any citrus fruit will work. Simply sprinkle some citrus peel onto your carpet and use a brush or broom to scrub it in before vacuuming it up.

10. Detergents made with Palm Oil

A lot of eco-friendly detergents are made with palm oil which is bad for the environment, not to mention that it can also damage your skin. Try to look for natural detergents that are specifically meant for washing clothes or carpets as they are usually more effective. Make sure you also read the label on any cleaning agent before using them, just to make sure they are safe for use.

Use the Best Eco-Friendly Carpet Cleaning Techniques for Home Renovation Projects

You don’t want to leave your carpets looking dirty when you are renovating a property. You also don’t want to clean them in a way that harms the environment. With these simple eco-friendly carpet cleaning tricks, you will have no problem removing any stain or dirt from your carpets as they are all effective methods to use. Some of these techniques can also be used for other surfaces as well so give them a try!

The post 10 Eco-Friendly Carpet Cleaning During Building Renovations appeared first on Green Building Insider.