Cost of Building Green
A sustainable design can result in reduced project costs and a building that is energy and resource efficient. Energy- and water- efficient buildings have lower operating costs (in the range of $0.60 to $1.50 versus $1.80 per ft2) and a higher facility value than conventional buildings. Lower energy costs translate into smaller capacity requirements for mechanical equipment (heating and cooling) and lower first costs for such equipment. Effective use of daylighting and passive solar techniques can further reduce lighting, heating, and cooling costs. Reusing materials, such as demolished concrete, for base or fill material, can reduce costs associated with hauling and disposing of materials.
When sustainability is an objective at the outset of the design process, the cost of a sustainable building is competitive. Often green buildings cost no more than conventional buildings because of the resource-efficient strategies used, such as downsizing of more costly mechanical, electrical, and structural systems. Reported increases in first costs for green buildings generally vary between 0 and 2% more, with costs expected to decrease as project teams become more experienced with green building strategies and design. Generally, a 2% increase in construction costs will result in a savings of 10 times the initial investment in operating costs for utilities (energy, water, and waste) in the first 20 years of the building’s life.
Buildings with good daylighting and indoor air quality — both common features of sustainable buildings — have increased labor productivity, worker retention, and days worked. These benefits contribute directly to a company’s profits because salaries — which are about ten times higher than rent, utilities, and maintenance combined — are the largest expense for most companies occupying office space. In schools with good daylighting and indoor air quality, students have higher test scores and lower absenteeism.
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