Sustainable construction practices such as minimized carbon footprints, and a better comprehension of how to implement building efficiency are the pillars for green building and eco-friendliness in 2023. Green buildings utilise 66% less electricity and 51% more water than the average or generic Australian building.
NABERS Rating measures the sustainability of commercial buildings in Australia.
What is Green Building?
Green building, also known as sustainable building, is designed to minimize the negative impact on the environment while maximizing the health and productivity of the building's occupants.
NatHERS, BASIX, NABERS and BCA Section J focus on promoting the development of energy-efficient buildings across Australia.
What are the economic benefits of green buildings?
The economic benefits of green building include:
Energy savings: Green buildings are designed to be energy-efficient, which means they use less energy to heat, cool, and light the building. This can result in significant cost savings on utility bills.
- Water savings: Green buildings also use water-efficient fixtures and appliances, which can lead to significant water savings and lower water bills. BASIX Consultants can help you identify water-saving components in a building design.
- Increased property value: Green buildings are in high demand, and they are often more valuable than traditional buildings. This can lead to higher rental income or a higher sales price when the building is sold. For example, a building with a higher NABERS Rating will have more market value.
- Reduced maintenance costs: Green buildings are designed to be durable and low-maintenance, which can lead to lower maintenance costs over time.
- Health and productivity benefits: Green buildings are designed to improve the health and productivity of the building's occupants. This can lead to increased employee satisfaction and higher productivity, which can translate into increased revenue.
- Tax incentives and other financial benefits: Many governments offer tax incentives and other financial benefits to encourage the construction of green buildings. Connect with Eco Certificates to understand and improve the chances of receiving incentives and financial benefits.
What are the Social benefits of green building?
Green buildings can have several social benefits, including:
- Improved health and comfort: Green buildings are designed to improve indoor air quality, which can lead to better overall health and comfort for building occupants. The indoor environment is an important component of the NABERS Rating for offices.
- Increased productivity: Green buildings are often designed to maximize natural light and provide comfortable working environments, which can lead to increased productivity.
- Community development: Green building can help promote sustainable development and revitalization of neighbourhoods and communities.
- Access to nature: Green buildings can provide access to nature and promote well-being.
What are the environmental benefits of green building?
Green buildings can have many environmental benefits, including:
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions: Green buildings are designed to be highly energy-efficient, which can lead to reduced energy consumption and lower greenhouse gas emissions. In BCA Section J, you’ll need to highlight the energy-preserving components of a commercial building.
- Reduced waste: Green building practices can reduce waste during construction and throughout the building's lifetime. NABERS rating also considers waste management.
- Improved air and water quality: Green buildings are designed to improve indoor air quality and minimize the impact of the building on local air and water quality.
- Enhanced biodiversity: Green buildings often incorporate features such as green roofs, rain gardens, and other landscaping elements that can enhance biodiversity and promote ecosystem services. BASIX Consultants are specifically trained to help you understand the best green components for your proposed project.
- Reduced heat island effect: Green building practices can include strategies to reduce the urban heat island effect and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
- Increased resilience: Green buildings can be designed to be more resilient to extreme weather events and other climate-related hazards.
- Materials and resources: Green building often emphasizes the use of sustainable, locally sourced, and renewable materials, which can reduce the environmental impact of transportation and production. In both BASIX and BCA Section J you’ll need to specify the building fabric.
What are the primary components of Green Building?
The Primary components of green building include the following:
Energy efficient windows
Energy-efficient windows are a key component of sustainable building development because they can significantly reduce a building's energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions.
Some of how energy-efficient windows contribute to sustainable building development and increased NABERS energy rating include:
- Improved insulation
- Reduced heat gain
- Reduced glare
- Use of low-emissivity glass
- Increased durability
Green Roof
Green roofs, also known as living roofs or vegetated roofs, can lead to energy-efficient and sustainable buildings in several ways:
Insulation: Green roofs can provide insulation for a building, which can help keep the heat in during the winter and out during the summer. This can reduce the amount of energy required to heat and cool a building, and in turn lower energy consumption and associated greenhouse gas emissions. A green roof can increase NABERS rating.
Temperature regulation: Green roofs can help regulate the temperature of a building by reducing heat gain from the sun and providing shading. This can reduce the need for air conditioning, and in turn lower energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.
Air quality improvement: Green roofs can improve air quality by absorbing pollutants and releasing oxygen through photosynthesis.
Biodiversity: Green roofs can promote biodiversity by providing habitat for plants, birds, insects, and other wildlife.
Water conservation
Water conservation reduces the strain on local water resources. Some ways in which you can incorporate water conservation into a sustainable building include:
- Low-flow fixtures: Using low-flow fixtures such as toilets, faucets, and showerheads can significantly reduce water consumption in a building.
- Grey water reuse: Grey water is the water that has been used in sinks, showers, and other household activities, it can be recycled and used for irrigation, toilet flushing, and other non-potable uses. This can reduce the amount of freshwater required for a building.
- Rainwater harvesting: Collecting and storing rainwater in cisterns or other storage systems can provide a source of water for irrigation, toilet flushing, and other non-potable uses.
- Dual plumbing systems: You can design Dual plumbing systems to separate potable and non-potable water, allowing grey water and rainwater to be used for non-potable uses such as irrigation and toilet flushing.
Sustainable landscaping
Some ways in which sustainable landscaping can be incorporated into a building include:
- Native plants: Using native plants that are well adapted to the local climate can reduce the need for irrigation and pesticides, and can promote biodiversity by providing habitat for native wildlife.
- Xeriscaping: Xeriscaping is a type of landscaping that uses drought-tolerant plants that require minimal watering, which can help reduce the need for irrigation and lower water consumption.
- Use of sustainable materials: Using sustainable materials such as reclaimed wood, or eco-friendly pavers and tiles can reduce the environmental impact of the landscaping.
Green building is a vital step towards sustainability, reducing energy consumption, improving air quality and decreasing environmental impact. It's cost-effective in the long run and should be embraced by individuals, businesses, and governments for a sustainable future.
