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 As an architectural design firm, we have been fortunate over the years to have many clients that want high performance, durable, and healthy design solutions. Through our work on multiple LEED Certified projects, EarthCraft Certified Homes, and EarthCraft Light Commercial Certified projects, we have a good gauge of 'green' items that add value to a home and offer a positive ROI. It has been shown in our projects multiple times that 'going green' cuts costs beginning on day one of occupancy of the home or business. However, don't take my word for it; here are some facts from some well-known sources.
Cut water usage, cut energy usage
● The industry expects that water-efficiency efforts will decrease energy use by 10-11%; reduce operating costs by 11-12%; and decrease water use by 15% on average.[1]
Cut costs by not 'throwing away'
● The EPA estimates that 170 million tons of building-related construction and demolition (C&D) debris was generated in the U.S. in 2003, with 61% coming from nonresidential and 39% from residential sources.[2]
Life cycle investment
● An upfront investment of 2% in green building design, on average, results in life cycle savings of 20% of the total construction costs - more than ten times the initial investment.[3]
Maximize investment
● Purchase prices for energy efficient buildings are as much as 10% higher per square foot than conventional buildings.[4]
● Perceived cost benefits of green building according to building owners:[5]
■ Operating costs decrease 13.6% for new construction and 8.5% for existing building projects,
■ Building value increases 10.9% for new construction and 6.8% for existing building projects,
■ Return on investment improves 9.9% for new construction and 19.2% for existing building projects,
■ Occupancy increases 6.4% for new construction and 2.5% for existing building projects, and
■ Rent increases 6.1% for new construction and 1% for existing building projects.
Cut costs through healthy changes
● An experiment identifies a link between improved lighting design and health, with a 27% reduction in the incidence of headaches, which accounts for 0.7% of overall employee health insurance costs at approximately $35 per employee annually.[6]
● People in the U.S. spend about 90% of their time indoors.[7]
● EPA studies indicate indoor levels of pollutants may be up to ten times higher than outdoor levels.[8]
[1] McGraw Hill Construction (2010). Green Outlook 2011: Green Trends Driving Growth.
[2] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2009). Estimating 2003 Building-Related Construction and Demolition Materials Amounts.
[3] Kats, G. (2003). The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Buildings: A Report to California's Sustainable Building Task Force.
[4] Miller, N., Spivey, J. & Florance, A. (2007). Does Green Pay Off?
[5] McGraw Hill Construction (2010). Green Outlook 2011: Green Trends Driving Growth.
[6] Aaras, A. et al. (1998) Musculoskeletal, Visual and Psychosocial Stress in VDU Operators Before and After Multidisciplinary Ergonomic Interventions. Applied Ergonomics, p. 335-354.
[7] Environmental Protection Agency (1987). The Total Exposure Assessment Methodology (TEAM) Study.
Charles Hendricks AIA, CSI, CDT, LEED AP cbhendricks@thegainesgroup.com
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