The Benefits of Building Green

There are many benefits to building green. In the most basic terms, the benefits break down into three main categories:

· Environmental Benefits which reduce your impact on the environment
· Economic Benefits which improve your bottom line
· Health and Safety Benefits which enhance your occupants’ comfort

The economic benefits include both the hard and soft numbers.

The hard number benefits include:

· Reduced operating costs
· Reduced or neutralized first costs
· Enhanced asset value and increased profits
· Optimized life cycle economic performance

The soft number benefits include:

· Improve productivity: Estimated $29 – 168 billion in national productivity losses per year

· Reduce absenteeism and turnover: Providing a healthy workplace improves employee satisfaction

· Reduce liability: Improve risk management

· Increase retail sales with day lighting: Studies have shown an approximate 40% improvement

Lastly, the benefits for owners and managers of a LEED certified green building may include:

· Improved building performance (easy to maintain and improve over time)
· Reduced cost streams associated with building operations
· Reduced environmental impacts
· Healthier and more productive employee workspaces
· Public recognition for leadership in sustainability

According to the April 2000 Environment and Public Works Committee of the U.S. Senate, as published in Making The Business Case For High Performance Green Buildings , a number of key points were discussed:

· Many green buildings cost no more to build – or even less than the alternatives – because resource-efficient strategies often allow downsizing of more costly mechanical, electrical and structural systems

· Savings in energy costs of 20 to 50% are common through integrated planning, site orientation, energy-saving technologies, on-site renewable energy-producing technologies, light-reflective materials, natural daylight and ventilation, and downsizing HVAC and other equipment

· A modest investment in soft features, such as access to pleasant views, increased daylight, fresh air and personal environment controls, can quickly translate into significant bottom-line savings for an employer due to a resulting boost in labor productivity

· Businesses are beginning to use high performance buildings as a potent tool for recruiting and retaining the best employees

· Clean and healthy buildings can reduce legal claims and liabilities for the owner

· High performance features translate into high value for tenants – which help attract tenants to the property and increase the likelihood of continued occupancy

· With the increase in private and public benefits stemming from high performance green buildings, developers are eligible for even greater financial and regulatory incentives

· One of the proven advantages of building green is market differentiation

· Green building design and construction emphasizes “best of class” practices that reduce project uncertainty and risk, and enhance the final product for the customer