How to reduce a building’s carbon footprint
What is the carbon footprint of a building?
The carbon footprint of a building is simply the amount of CO2 that it emits in its daily operation. You should be looking for anything that enters and leaves the building, such as waste, water and energy. Reduced costs are achieved by reducing a building’s footprint. It also sends the message that a business takes environmental responsibility seriously. When renovating and updating your building, now is a great time to consider environmental improvements. For Residential Architects Chelsea, visit www.rbddesign.com/architects-design/residential-architecture-london/architects-chelsea/
How to reduce the impact of a big building on the environment
- Solar power is one of the fastest growing renewable technologies. While reducing energy consumption is important, the biggest step towards making large buildings more environmentally friendly is to adopt renewable technology. Did you know the Sun delivers more energy on Earth per hour than the entire human population consumes in a whole year?
- When constructing, look to recycle building materials (steel for example is the most recycled on the planet) and find green suppliers that embrace environmentally-friendly practices. This can be applied to both the construction and the daily operation of the business.
- Regularly maintaining and updating heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems (HVAC), which are as energy efficient as possible without wasting excessive energy, can reduce the carbon footprint of a building. It is also possible to reduce the carbon footprint by installing low-energy humidifiers in place of electric steam ones.
- The lighting can account for up to 40% of the energy consumed in a commercial building. This is a good place to begin when reducing energy costs. One great tip to consider is increasing the natural light in your office. This can create a more comfortable environment. LED lighting can save up to 70% of energy compared to traditional lighting.
