In a survey reaching over 2,000 international contractors, builders and developers, almost half said they expect to build more than 50% of their projects as a green building by 2022. This figure increased even more this year. The World Banks Blogs published an article in February 2024 showing that the demand for sustainability was growing significantly. World Bank blogger Susan Lund reports that emissions from buildings are expected to drop 23% by 2035 as more organizations invest in eco-friendly buildings.

To protect the environment while cutting down on costs, builders are turning to these seven popular green building practices in 2024.

1. Net-Zero Buildings

Many contractors are aiming to build net-zero buildings, which are buildings whose energy consumption is roughly equal to their energy output. The goal of this type of building project is to cut down on carbon emissions, water consumption and solid waste transported to landfills.

Those with plans to build a net-zero building typically look for ways to generate renewable energy on and off-site. Popular on-site generation tactics include wind turbines, solar water heating and photovoltaics. Off-site options include large-scale wind farms, solar plants, geothermal plants and hydropower facilities.

The credit offered for generating power sustainably will most likely offset the cost of building these renewable energy sites.

Net Zero buildings are more important in 2024 than ever before. In fact, the White House officially published a definition for them back in June for the first time, which helps emphasize why they are so important.

2. Climate Resiliency

With the growing concern over climate change, one of the top green initiatives is incorporating construction measures to withstand extreme weather patterns and natural disasters, typically in the form of improved infrastructure.

While many coastal cities have taken steps to relax their building codes, not strengthen them, developers are still seeking methods to go above and beyond, aiming to build stronger frames and increase weather resiliency to mitigate weather damage and cut down on insurance costs, such as claims for flood or fire damage.

3. Green Star Certification

The Green Star certification globally promotes integrated building designs which reduce environmental impact.

When a contractor goes through the certification process, their building or project receives a rating from an independent panel of sustainability experts. This rating can verify that a building or community project is a sustainable endeavor.

The rating a project receives comes from nine categories, from building design and construction to operation. Each category assesses the sustainability of a project and determines potential optimizations.

4. LEED Certification

Currently, LEED is the most widely used sustainability rating system in the world, certifying 1.85 million square feet of construction each day. Anyone can claim their building is sustainable. However, a LEED certification holds builders accountable through a structured, points-based rating system.

Earning a LEED certification comes along with many essential benefits, such as lending third-party credibility to an organization’s ability to develop a sustainable project. Not only does the certification process offer advice on the use of indoor and outdoor materials, but it also aids in reducing operational costs by encouraging the use of reduced and renewable energy sources.

This type of certification also indicates to the public where an organization’s priorities lie. It demonstrates a commitment to both sustainability and new green initiatives, building goodwill with the community as well as company stakeholders.

The number of LEED buildings is growing significantly in 2024. There are now 111,397 LEED projects and that number will likely grow over the next year.

5. Distributed Energy Systems

A distributed energy system (DES) controls generation, storage and energy monitoring solutions. Through the use of sensors, meters and actuators, the system can oversee and observe a building’s performance — including heating, cooling, lighting and more — as well as offer suggestions for cutting costs and improving reliability.

Many developers have decided to integrate a DES into their sustainable designs to take advantage of the plethora of benefits.

The benefits of a distributed energy system include:

• Reduced operational costs
• Improved energy reliability
• Reduced carbon footprint
• Additional revenue sources

Many developers have also used a DES to implement the electrification of a motor vehicle fleet, lowering costs and increasing uptime with a more reliable charging system.

6. EDGE Certification

EDGE stands for Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies, a certification which aims to increase construction efficiency in terms of energy, water, building materials and waste.

Getting started with EDGE is very simple for developers, starting with a downloadable software program which allows them to determine the ideal combination of building strategies for the best return on your investment. Upon completion of a project, whether it’s a home, office, hospital or warehouse, an independent panel of experts will audit it to determine if it meets the required standards.

Currently operating in over 130 countries, EDGE certification requires developers to commit to at least a 20 percent reduction in energy and water use as compared to a standard building.

7. Alternative Building Materials

Building and construction activities consume 3 billion tons of raw material each year globally. But this reliance on non-renewable materials has had a lasting impact on the environment and the number of available resources, meaning developers are looking for alternative materials to build with.

2024 has seen a surge in the number of builders using more sustainable methods, with common alternative materials including the following.

• Grasscrete: A technique of layering concrete flooring in a way that allows grass and flora to grow, creating a natural bio-filter and improving storm-water absorption.
• Bamboo: A cost-effective, quickly growing material that is easy to harvest, making it a sustainable material source.
• Recycled plastic: With a lifespan of 30 to 50 years, plastic is a durable and long-lasting building material.
• Wood: Use of wood absorbs carbon dioxide and requires less energy-intensive processing methods.
• Hempcrete: Made from hemp wood, water and lime, this sustainable material is durable and long-lasting.

Other alternatives to traditional building materials include papercrete, engineered wood, cob, steel frame and insulating concrete foam.

Using Green Building Practices

Green building initiatives are booming in popularity, especially with the threat of dwindling renewable resources and unpredictable climate changes. Green construction initiatives accounted for more than 3.3 million jobs in 2018 in the United States alone. That number rose to 303,500 jobs in 2024.

Industry experts also predict these new trends will heighten global awareness of green development in the years to come, leading to newly developed and more efficient sustainable initiatives.

The post The 7 Most Popular Green Building Practices in 2024 appeared first on Green Building Insider.

What are the ins and outs of geothermal energy? Take a look.

Renewable Energy: Background

If you’re interested in environmental issues, you probably know that the United States uses a lot of fossil fuels. These are the fossilized remains of plants and animals that we burn to create power sources like oil and gas. About 89% of the energy America consumes comes from nonrenewable energy sources in some form.

The process of extracting and burning fossil fuels leads to pollution, deforestation and more. It’s also evident that fossil fuels release carbon into the air. That leads to the increased warming of the Earth. Plus, you should note that fossil fuels aren’t replenishable. We’re tapping into a finite amount of those resources — and soon enough, they’ll be gone.

It’s easy enough to see why renewable energy is a must. These are power sources we can always access because they occur naturally — like the sun. The most present issue with renewable energy is that it’s “flow-limited.” We can’t always generate power from the wind because it’s not continuously blowing, for example.

A Summary of Geothermal Energy

This is one of the most common types of renewable energy. The essence of geothermal energy is straightforward. It’s generated by using heat that comes from the sub-surface of the Earth via water or steam. You can use geothermal energy for both heating and cooling purposes.

The best place to locate geothermal energy is near tectonic plate boundaries where volcanoes and fumaroles are located. If you’ve ever heard of the Ring of Fire, you already know one place where geothermal sources are plentiful. In the United States, the Southwest has the most abundant access to geothermal resources.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of Geothermal Energy

Various countries, like Iceland, almost exclusively use geothermal to power homes and businesses. The most significant sell point is it can work year-round despite varying weather conditions in different climates. Geothermal also operates at high capacities, and it’s easier to maintain and lasts longer than HVAC systems.

Like other renewable resources, it’s challenging to cheaply integrate geothermal technology into the country’s overarching energy system. You can also only implement geothermal plants in particular regions. You also need electricity to power heat pumps.

How Is Geothermal Energy Used Currently?

It’s most common for individuals to install geothermal systems themselves. The majority of homes in America were built before renewable energy was even considered for residential purposes. That means it’s up to you to put in the geothermal heat pump yourself. But this situation is slowly changing.

It’s becoming more popular to use geothermal while building new construction homes. Traditionally, you’d almost always outfit a house for an HVAC system — but energy conservation can be tricky when those appliances aren’t adjusted correctly. The solution is renewable energy.

There are projects popping up across the country that use geothermal energy. These alternatives are being implemented in entire communities as a way to mitigate upfront costs. This price tag of nearly $10,000 continues to be the largest deterrent for those who want to install sustainable energy systems.

Obstacles in the Way of Mainstream Geothermal Energy

What are other obstacles aside from cost preventing geothermal energy from becoming mainstream?

A significant hurdle is education. If you don’t know the benefits of geothermal energy, why would you advocate to install systems in your projects? Learning about the perks of renewable possibilities as a whole can ensure these alternatives become more popular. That goes for advantageous for the project, like less noise pollution, too.

Gearing the responsibility toward developers is also smart. The average homeowner will rarely choose to install a geothermal pump when they could put that money toward a kitchen remodel. By investing in this alternative as a builder, you can enjoy positive outcomes for years — even if you don’t see them immediately.

Land development is another consideration. There’s a lot of planning that goes into implementing geothermal for entire communities. Allocating space for geothermal grids like you would water lines is an effective way to get developers acquainted with this alternative energy. An integrated system will also help mitigate costs.

The Future of Geothermal Energy

There’s no denying that renewable energy as a whole is becoming more prevalent. That said, it’ll take time for options like geothermal energy to turn into household names. The transition will continue to be a gradual shift.

This point doesn’t mean it’s not looking good for renewable energy. There are various cities around the world working to incentivize sustainable ventures in building projects. In Austin, Texas, all new construction must be net-zero energy. These aspects are a significant indicator that a rise in geothermal and other power sources might be on the horizon.

We also can’t underestimate the power of sustainable living. More people make green choices every day. In fact, you’re in the minority if you don’t want to switch to these habits. This desire to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle is one that could help geothermal thrive. Energy is a huge part of climate change, after all.

The best way for residential developers to advocate for geothermal energy is to showcase advantages the right way. It might cost a significant amount to install, but you see the savings immediately when you compare energy bills. Builders should also forgo discussing technical aspects with homeowners. It’s more effective to tell them this system will require less maintenance, for instance.

It Won’t Be Long Before More Residents Want Green Power

At the end of the day, it’s evident that geothermal has a bright future. There are already development projects around the country installing grids to ensure every home has access to those capabilities. The switch will take time, but you might be seeing more geothermal systems pop up sooner rather than later.

The post What’s the Future of Geothermal for Home Building in 2021? appeared first on Green Building Insider.