In a world where global warming is a looming threat that is seemingly right around the corner, it is important to save all the energy we can and reduce the carbon footprint. This is the only way to delay and maybe even prevent global warming and its related issues. We have all heard how to reduce the carbon footprint on a personal level but how do you reduce the carbon footprint when it’s being a building being constructed? This article will provide some tips on how to reduce a building’s carbon footprint.
- Prepare and start early
It is easy to make changes in early stages of construction. So it is important to identify opportunities to reduce carbon footprint and make effective changes to the design and construct accordingly.
- Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
HVAC is responsible for almost 40% of all carbon emissions. So it is absolutely mandatory to reduce this percentage as much as possible. Installing efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems along with proper and efficient utilization and regular maintenance of such systems will have a big effect in bringing down the costs.
- Insulation
The less energy used on temperature control the lesser the carbon footprint. This is why proper insulation is necessary. A good insulation system will keep out heat during the summers and keep heat in during winters. This means that heating and air conditioning devices will be needed less, saving both money and reducing carbon footprint. A continuous insulation system can help save a company millions over the lifetime of the building and it is easier for construction.
- Lighting
It is said that lighting in a building accounts for almost 40% of the energy used in a commercial building. But most of this lighting is not used appropriately. Therefore better systems can be implemented to further bring down the carbon footprint. Some methods include:
- Daylight harvesting systems which adjusts the building’s lighting according to how much ambient light is entering the building.
- Occupancy sensors that can sense whether a person is in the room and toggle and light on and off accordingly will reduce the amount of energy used.
- Energy management systems which can control the lighting throughout the building can be programmed in a way to prioritize ambient sunlight over lighting using electricity can cut down on costs as well.
- Renewable Energy
This is another great way to cut down on energy costs. Implementing solar or other forms of renewable energy can save both money and reduce carbon footprint in the long run. Renewable energy if harnessed and utilized properly can eliminate the need for conventional energy altogether.
There are other ways of cutting down on carbon footprints like using LED instead of traditional bulbs which are energy efficient and more durable. Before building the building think about its orientation to maximize the energy capture from the sun using solar panels and window film which doubles as a solar panel and thermal insulation. Educate people on better practices to save more energy is by far the best way to save the earth. So more awareness needs to there and more participation is required to undo the damage that we have caused the earth.