Why Choose Green?
DEFINING the COSTS and BENEFITS of GREEN BUILDINGS
PROBLEM: Buildings, their construction, and their operation, use almost half of all the energy used on the planet1. Lax construction and mediocre buildings can waste water, pollute the environment, and subject occupants to unhealthy conditions for all the hours of the day we spend indoors.
SOLUTION: Build smarter. Build better. Without losing sight of the bottom line.
The best high-performance, certified green buildings …
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Reduce embodied energy and resources. Reduce landfill waste and pollution of the air and water.
- Provide a healthier and more comfortable built environment.
- Deliver outstanding financial performance.
In 2006, an estimated 5% of all new US commercial construction received LEED certification from the US Green Building Council, and by 2010, 10% of all new commercial construction will be built “green” 2.
The benefits of a green building accrue to the building owner, building occupants, and the community. These include both economic and non-economic benefits, some of which are measurable, while some are intangible qualities. The intangibles include
improved public relations and public image as an environmental steward.
What about the costs?
Visit our Project Scenario to learn more.
Effective planning helps manage the costs of green construction. Reducing energy consumption is a primary objective of green buildings. The design team can, for instance, realize as much as a 50% reduction in energy consumption with ZERO additional cost, simply by taking the best advantage of passive heating and cooling and natural “daylighting” techniques. Construction industry experts surveyed in 2006 agreed that for little or no additional cost, a green building could improve the health and well-being of occupants, boost worker productivity, and increase both building value and return on investment.
We believe it is important to take a comprehensive approach to building green – not just incorporating one or two green features. This starts with effective planning, and then achieving a recognized level of achievement through a recognized certification program that includes third-party verification of performance. The best programs –
- Ensure quality across the industry.
- Provide results that are familiar to lenders, trades, buyers, and real estate professionals.
- Result in certification that is important to efficient markets and educated consumers.
- Yielding greater energy savings and higher economic value.
- Greater intangible benefits to the buyer, tenant, and the community.
What is it worth to improve the health and well-being of occupants, boost worker productivity, conserve energy and water, and increase both building value and return on investment? Typical costs to achieve “green” certification should be budgeted at 2% of the project design and construction cost. But just some of the measurable benefits alone will more than offset this cost, adding significant value to your project. Considering a typical 50,000 square foot office building, the Net Present Value of the rental benefits combined with the energy and water savings can amount to a gain exceeding $600,000 in today’s dollars.
Let Sage Commercial show you how choosing “green” for your next home, office space, or investment property will be one of the best resolutions you can make -- in “dollars” and “sense”.
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