Due to the serious threat to our environment, governments across the world are committed to lowering carbon emissions. According to figures released by the Office of National Statistics, businesses accounted for 18% of carbon emissions in 2018. There is increasing pressure being placed onto companies to lower their emissions, and one way to do this is to focus on making their buildings more sustainable.
The question is, how can businesses improve building sustainability? Here, we’ll look at some great eco-friendly ways to create more sustainable buildings.
Avoid steel and glass structures
A lot of modern buildings are constructed with steel or glass structures. While these may look more visually appealing, they aren’t as eco-friendly as traditional buildings. This is especially true when it comes to cooling and heating the buildings throughout the year.
Studies have shown that buildings featuring solid walls, cost an average of 15% to 20% less to cool and heat. However, that isn’t to say traditional buildings don’t come without their own eco challenges. The construction process is typically worse for the environment than glass or steel structures. So, efforts will need to be made to focus on sustainable construction too.
Ensure the building is insulated
Insulation is a crucial part of any sustainable building. This further reduces the amount of energy required to heat up the building during the colder months. It can also prevent excess heat from entering the building in summer. This also benefits the business, saving them money on the cost of running the building.
Adequate water management
Water waste is a huge problem for businesses. When making a building more sustainable, water management should be included as a key strategy. This includes both the collection and usage of water. Businesses should also make sure they have adequate drainage. You can find more about Linear drainage systems from suppliers such as Marshalls, these are some great waste management solutions to be considered.
Another eco-friendly way to make buildings more sustainable, is to take advantage of renewable energy sources. Solar panels are a great example, known to significantly reduce carbon emissions.
There are many ways to make a building more sustainable. The above is just some of the most effective, eco-friendly solutions you can utilise. Lowering your building’s carbon emissions isn’t just great for the environment, it’s also great for your bottom line too. While the costs of these improvements can be expensive, financial help is sometimes available from the government.