Why Sustainable Building?

As the building industry rapidly changes, demand has shifted towards energy efficient, healthy buildings that consume less precious resources than their equivalents. As state and local governments become more active in this movement through regulations and incentives, we see that Liberals and Conservatives alike recognize the need to conserve the Earth's precious resources. However, at Environmental Building Strategies, we propose that building green should accomplish more than the responsible use of water, energy and materials. We recognize the need to conserve another important resource, the American Dollar, and strive to be fiscally, as well as environmentally responsible while creating development advantages through sustainability. Demand is growing for the consumer market to meet new environmental standards adding pressure to builders and developers struggling to stay on task while remaining under budget. At Environmental Building Strategies, our goal is to exceed currently defined levels of sustainable development while ensuring profitable green building projects for our clients.

Economics

Few people would question the advantages of building green if it meant a healthier structure with lower utility bills and a smaller carbon footprint. It seems the issue of First Costs, ease of implementation, and product availability has deterred builders and developers from going green in the past. We believe with proper planning and an integrated approach to your project, Environmental Building Strategies will achieve established long term benefits while managing initial costs to fit your budget.

According to the U.S. Green Building Council, "The net cost of owning a green home is comparable to – or even cheaper than – owning a standard home. If upfront costs are higher, it is often because many architects, homebuilders, engineers, plumbers and other industry professionals just don’t have the knowledge and experience to cost-effectively plan, design and build a green home. Finding a professional familiar with green-building techniques will save you money and ensure you’re getting the best-quality work possible."

A study by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative found that green buildings provide substantial financial benefits that conventional facilities do not. It was found that green buildings can positively impact 20-year life-cycle costs between $49.90 and $66.30 per square foot of building space. These financial benefits - whether they're realized cost savings or increases in productivity - are what is spurring the proliferation of green buildings.

It is expected that 10% of new buildings will be green within the next two years and this percentage will continue to increase as it becomes more financially appealing to engage in sustainable building practices.

Developers and home owners are recognizing that green buildings incur lower operating costs and optimize life-cycle economic benefits. Declining insurance costs and increased market values for green buildings are driving this demand while potential buyers and tenants create a new niche in the real estate market. According to the CoStar Group, "ENERGY STAR buildings are selling for an average of $61 per square foot more than their peers, while LEED buildings command a remarkable $171 more per square foot." In addition, many local and state governments, utility companies and other entities across the country also offer rebates, tax breaks and other incentives for adding eco-friendly elements to your building. At Environmental Building Strategies, our expertise allows us to easily identify and assist you in obtaining as many of these incentives as possible, helping to limit your costs while achieving your goals for profitable sustainability.

Sustainability

Sustainability is defined by the Brundtland Commission as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This definition shapes our approach at Environmental Building Strategies from the selection of a sustainable building site through construction to the selection of appliances.

Foresight throughout the design process helps reduce the amount of solid waste produced by your project while conserving precious resources including water and fossil fuels, limiting the strain on your local infrastructure. Efficient plumbing and bathing fixtures, drought-tolerant landscaping and water-conserving irrigation systems help green buildings consume 50% less water than standard buildings.

Green building enhances and protects ecosystems and biodiversity and improves air and water quality of the greater community. Energy efficient landscape design can reduce cooling cost 15% to 50% and heating bills by 25% to 40%, according to the EPA thus limiting your dependence on fossil fuels that produce green house gases.

Green buildings can cost effectively use 40% less energy than comparable standard buildings - Therefor our expertise with ENERGY STAR construction practices will benefit both you and the community at large. Interestingly enough, Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved enough energy in 2007 alone to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 27 million cars — all while saving $16 billion on their utility bills.

Lifestyle

Living in a green home or working in a green building affords you and/or your employees a healthier lifestyle. Green structures often use toxin-free building materials to help combat indoor air pollution that poses serious health risks for residents, including cancer and respiratory ailments like asthma. Such non-toxic materials include wheat-derived strawboard, natural linoleum made from jute and linseed oil, paints with little or no volatile organic compounds and toxin-free insulation made from soybeans, recycled paper or even old denim.

Also, green buildings have far fewer problems with mold or mildew and natural ventilation in green homes filters and brings fresh air inside and vents stale air outside, keeping occupants breathing easy. Green building practices can increase productivity throughout the workforce by reducing employee illness and lifting general morale, giving employees a sense of pride that they work for someone looking out for the good of the employees and the environment. Environmental Building Strategies understands your desire to create a healthier, happier, more profitable lifestyle and whether you meet your goals through full scale development or small improvements to your existing structure, we have solutions, every step of the way.

Client Resources

-- Please click on the following to download in PDF

Client Letter

Client Brochure

LEED 2009 Update

LEED EDGE

Sustainability Financial Impact Analysis