Green building is an effort to develop more energy-efficient, healthier, and environmentally-responsible buildings. This includes saving energy, conserving water, contributing to a healthy indoor environment, protecting natural resources, and reducing buildings' impact on the community.
By incorporating various green building principles into a structure, the average home can save as much has 50 percent on their utility costs, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. If just 1 in 10 households incorporated energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, we could prevent more than 17 billion pounds of air pollution--which is equivalent to removing more than 250,000 cars from the road.
In addition, green buildings require less maintenance and repair, reduce short- and long-term costs, promote health among occupants, and improve worker satisfaction. Green building nurtures the environment locally and globally, for today and well into the future.
