Consequences of Building a Residence with Conventional Technology and Methods - Research Paper Example

Name Course Tutor What are the consequences of building a residence with conventional technology and methods, and why should we consider a green alternative? Introduction Buildings have been acknowledged as one of the biggest sources to greenhouse gas emission and global energy use. However, green buildings have been identified as an appropriate strategy of increasing environmental awareness. Environmental policies have been applied in practice and construction with an aim of reducing environmental impacts while maximizing resource efficiency to obtain sustainable buildings. Property evaluation can be a challenge, particularly when sustainability values are involved. Sustainability characteristics are significant because they contribute to a building value. However, the uncertainties associated with the financial and environmental potential of green buildings contribute doubt to investors. Many insurance institutions seek the evidence of green projects profitability before they can support them. For this reason, developers express concern about green building extra costs and return on investment. Several studies have indicated that there is a link between reduced energy use and sustainable resident building. Chappells &Shove (3240) indicated if a building is to be considered to be eco-friendly, its Leadership in energy and environmental design (LEED) certification will be higher and its costs. Additionally, resident buildings require energy in their long run. For example, construction, operation, demolition, and production of materials, hence, it is vital to consider building designs that have higher energy efficiency. Green building designs addresses reducing operating energy through reduction of energy and water loss, increased insulation, solar energy, and biomass burners. Conventional buildings Conventional building is a term used to refer to buildings that are built according standard practices of a particular region. In most cases, it implies the use of masonry such as bricks and concrete blocks for the outside walls. Conventional housing describes on-site construction activity and using materials brought to the site unprocessed where they are then crafted under supervision. Therefore, the parties are not involved in the planning process, and incompatible features of the design may not be realized at an earlier stage. Green building Green buildings are usually referred as sustainable built environment. Green buildings preserve and maintain an environment that is crucial to sustaining life. A green buildings construction and operation ensure a healthy environment by demonstrating an efficient and least disruptive land use, energy, water, and other resources. These housing methods have the least adverse effect on the environment, and it is effective in saving the natural resources. From the initial stage of construction to destruction, the building materials can be reused in other building. For this reason, it helps in the protection of the available natural resources. Green architecture is adapted to the construction of green buildings thus minimizing energy use and reducing negative impacts on the environment. These designs allow efficient management of water through recycling and reusing wastewater, improving indoor air quality, and improving the natural habitat. Consequences of conventional buildings over Green buildings Technology Even though both green and conventional buildings look alike, they use different technologies. Conventional buildings are not build to reduce water and energy consumption, use environmental friendly materials, and with a view to improving indoor environmental efficiency. The only difference between convention and green building technologies is design. In green buildings energy consumption patterns, day lighting, as well as artificial light are improved (Issa, Rankin & Christian 1704). Hence, the construction team can select building materials for both wall and roof, and electrical and lighting materials based on their effect on energy efficiency. Green buildings use materials that consume less energy, for example, autoclaved aerated concrete and cellular concrete blocks using fly ash that is discarded fro cement manufacturing plants with low density and weight. On the contrary, conventional building uses approximately 8 to 9 inch concrete wall. In addition, the standard lighting and electricity of a conventional building are reduced by about 8W per qm in green housing. Green building also uses sustainable technologies and methods including water harvesting, reusing and recycling wastewater, water efficient equipment, and others, which conserve the available water resources. Green energy uses solar energies, green roofing technology, energy efficient fixtures as strategies for energy conservation. Environmental Impact Research indicates that conventional buildings have a higher operating and maintenance costs, lower energy efficiency, greater risks and negative effects on the environment compared to green buildings. On the other hand, green buildings method represents most efficient and least disruptive land use, energy and water resources at the same time maintaining a healthy environment for the residents (Cole 341). In green buildings, the use of resources is more efficient compared to conventional buildings such as water, energy, building materials and land; as a result reducing the environmental impacts that are caused by conventional housing. Conventional building technology does not integrate efficient methods to reduce damage to the environment. In other words, conventional building method results in exploitation of natural resources, increase wastage of building materials, increase operation and maintenance costs, and so on. Green building reduces air pollution and carbon dioxide emission through optimization of energy use by using renewable energy, energy-efficient designs, and so on. Green building utilizes recycled materials, therefore, reduces strain on the natural resources. For example, fly ash discarded in the manufacturing of cement is very hazardous. Additionally, the erosion and sedimentation regulation techniques in green building technology used during and after construction reduce soil fertility loss and drainage water clogging. Light pollution is also minimized by preventing upward facing light from the building, thereby protecting the night-time environment in the surrounding area. Building designs are also paramount because they can influence the adverse impacts of a built environment. Research indicates that built environment contribute approximately 40% of carbon dioxide emission, 40% energy use, 16% water consumption, 30 % solid waste, and 40% of raw materials use, thus have significant effect on climate change. Finally, green buildings not only use less energy but also produce less waste. It uses reclaimed timber and recycles rainwater, therefore, making minimal construction waste. In other words, it leaves fewer footprints on the environment. Construction cost Conventional buildings are relatively cheaper compared to green buildings. Green housing energy efficient equipment and construction materials are costly; however, it will be overall profitable in its life cycle due to energy savings, reduced maintenance costs, and overall wellbeing of the occupants. A study by Zalejska-Jonsson & Hintze (219) showed that the increased costs attributed to the designs result in approximately 20% saving of the total construction costs over the building's life cycle. The additional cost of construction will be recovered by the occupant because of the long run benefits. Green building meets the resident's need to water and energy efficient residential building with a healthy environment and reduced maintenance costs. For this reason, conventional building may be overall expensive due to the increased risks such as wastage of resources, increased energy use, lack of proper waste disposal, and many others resulting in a hazardous environment. On the contrary, green building technology uses a sustainable method minimizing wastage of materials, use of recycled material to improve natural resources conservation (Kibert 45). Conventional buildings do not adopt strategies with respect to energy and water compared to green buildings. These strategies considerably minimize resource utilization, space, and construction costs. Therefore, conventional buildings are more expensive than green building in the ling run. Sustainability Compared to Conventional buildings, Green buildings attempt to balance social, economic, and environmental factors in design and construction. Green buildings key considerations include economics of construction, water and energy efficiency, and occupants well being. Contrary to conventional buildings, green buildings have a natural way of generating less waste and pollution. Environmental Compared to conventional technology, green housing method have a little environmental impact throughout all stages of a building from design, constructing, operation and maintenance, and offers a healthy environment to the residents. Therefore, these housing are more sustainable. Materials and appliances used for residential housing design have environmental impacts. However, when compared to the conventional method, green building has significantly reduced the impacts because it increases energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Research indicates that climate change contributed by conventional building can be minimized by approximately 70% when both energy use and materials are reduced. Moreover, green housing method can minimize clean water requirements from 10 % to 50%, as well as wastewater generation from 50% to 70%. Green building uses natural ventilation and non-toxic materials which cause less harm to occupants’ health and environment by improving indoor air quality. Also, construction and operation consumes fewer resources because it utilizes local and reused materials, therefore, reducing demolition and construction waste by about 90%. Land use in terms of intensity and space significantly affect sustainability, integration with society, and our dependence on the infrastructure. Growth planning supports a compact neighborhood, various housing, conservation of space, diverse transportation, and sensitivity to the environmental. Adhering to these guidelines can reduce spreading and create multi-family residential buildings. In the long run, green building is an invention that is environmental friendly and sustainable. They encourage recycling and reusing of the available resources reducing carbon emissions and help to lessen effects of global warming and greenhouse gas emissions. Reduction in water and energy consumption also is shown by a reduction in water and electricity bills. Social Currently, housing and health have been included as health indicators by World Health Organization. In other words, housing condition such as building materials and air quality affects the occupier’s health. Green buildings uses less toxic materials, therefore, can reduce residents’ exposure to molds and allergens. Green housing design has improved indoor air quality, improved heat quality, increases penetration of light during the day, and thus promoting the occupiers wellbeing and productivity. In addition, they provide residents with security from fluctuations in energy prices because they can produce their own energy. Green buildings have social impacts on the community as a whole. They encourage growth of local skills in green housing designs and technologies. Also, the community cost reduces as transportation costs are reduced and increases socialization and leisure activities. Green buildings, particularly multi-family housing, is more affordable to buy, maintain due to low operation costs, and reduced land requirements. Economic Green buildings have more economic value than conventional building due to the low operating costs as a result of reduced water and energy consumption (Eichholtz, Kok &Quigley 4). Maintenance costs are considerable lower through building material efficiency and durability. A decrease in resource utilization results in the reduction in money required for development and maintenance of the infrastructure. Green housing schemes encourages a demand for green products and technologies. Further, as the Leadership in energy and environmental designs LEED standard prefers products that have been manufactured locally, adherence to building standards as a way of stimulating local economic development through the establishment of a green building industry. Conclusion The comfort of a resident building is linked occupants preferences living in that house. They include problems with the performance of a building can is determined by a number of elements such as design, construction, adjustment needs, and construction needs. Second, most developers do not include the use of heating and cooling equipment in building performance because they are considered to be occupants responsibility. Also, a building heating system affects the indoor air quality. Lastly, the occupiers may be required to take action to achieve energy efficiency goals. It is evident that buildings constructed according to green technology fulfill three dimensions of sustainability including environment, social, and economic. Green building achieves low energy demand, high indoor air quality meeting the three sustainable goal expectations. Comparing conventional buildings and green buildings shows there is a significant difference in land requirement, conservation of natural resources, higher water and energy efficiency; better indoor air quality and reduction in emission of greenhouse gasses. Quantitatively, green buildings are associated with high costs of the energy-efficient equipment, mechanical ventilation, investment costs, among others. However, the long-term benefits such higher energy efficiency, healthy environment exceed the construction costs. In addition, the literature indicates that operating energy occupies a larger proportion of energy demand in a building lifetime. However, sustainable buildings result in more energy efficiency compared to conventional housing. A solar house reduced the energy requirement of a similar conventional building by half. In conclusion, reduction of operating energy demand is a critical aspect of a building design to ensure energy efficiency throughout its life cycle. Works cited Chappells, H. and E. Shove. "Debating the future of comfort: environmental sustainability, energy consumption and the indoor environment." Building Research and Information, 33.1(2005): 3240. Print Eichholtz, P., Kok, N. and Quigley, J. The Economics of Green Building. (2010).Web15 April 2015. < http://escholarship.org/uc/item/3k16p2rj > Issa, M.H., Rankin, J.H. and Christian, A.J."Canadian practitioners’ perception of research work investigating the cost premiums, long-term costs and health and productivity benefits of green buildings." Building and Environment 45.7 (2010): 1698-1711. Print Kibert, C. Sustainable construction: Green building design and delivery. Wiley&Sons. New Jersey. (2008). Print. Cole.R.J. "Energy and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the construction of alternative structural systems." Building and Environment34 (1998): 335-348. Print. Zalejska-Jonsson A., Lind H. and Hintze S. "Low-energy versus conventional residential buildings: cost and profit." Journal of European Real Estate Research 5.3 (2012): 211–228. Print. Read More