Businesses that prided themselves on being eco-friendly were once thought to be rare. Today, more businesses than ever are deciding to go green after seeing the success of these businesses. The construction industry, in particular, is seeing a high demand from consumers for building services that are good for the environment. If you own a construction company or you are a contractor, is it time for you to go green, at last? If you want to remain competitive, it could potentially take your business to the next level.
What Does “Going Green” Even Mean?
If you aren’t sure what “going green” means in the construction industry, it simply means that buildings are constructed with the environment in mind. This could include using materials that are less toxic, and constructing buildings that use less energy and renewable resources. Some ways that buildings can go green include improving water conservation, air quality, and energy consumption.
Water Conservation
We all need water to survive and doing our best to conserve water pays off for everyone. This is why many homes have low-flow plumbing fixtures, rainwater harvesting technologies, pressure-reducing valves, and other tools that conserve greater amounts of water.
Air Quality
There are a few ways in which green construction practices help our air quality. One of these ways includes the elimination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can give people headaches or other health issues. VOCs can be emitted from the fumes of paint and glue for years after the paint has dried. Green construction companies are also avoiding wood products that contain formaldehyde and other harmful contaminants.
Energy Consumption
Saving energy helps the environment and saves consumers money. Energy-saving homes are built to heat and cool the building with minimal energy, reduce water consumption, and limit the amount of electricity the home needs. Green capabilities have grown so much in the last ten years that it is now easier than ever to accomplish this.
What Are the Benefits of Going Green?
You, your customers, and the environment can all benefit by making your business go green. Not only can you potentially make more money, but you will also be doing your part to help the environment.
Potential Earning Ability
If your business wants to remain competitive and earn significant amounts of money, it may be time to go green. The potential profit from going green can be huge, considering how many people are now clamoring for eco-friendly foods, clothes, and houses. What used to be a niche market has now become a standard in the construction industry, and those who want to earn more need to appeal to eco-friendly consumers.
Benefit to Consumers
Consumers will feel good about choosing a company that is eco-friendly for many reasons, with one reason being their health. In addition, green houses can pay for themselves, eventually, by saving owners money on lower energy and water costs. Many homebuyers have done their research and know that investing in a sustainable home will benefit them in the long run.
Good for the Environment
Of course, it isn’t all about the potential money. By using sustainable practices, your business is helping reduce energy consumption and slow the negative effects of climate change. Creating environmentally-friendly buildings helps keep everyone in this world healthier, and it is a decision that business owners can feel good about.
Going Green—What You Should Know
There are a few things that you should know about running an eco-friendly business.
Don’t Charge Outrageous Prices
Even those who want to do their part to help the environment will decide that it isn’t that important when they see an extremely high price tag. It may be tempting to dramatically increase your prices to reflect the difficulty of first going green, but this isn’t always the way to go. Having a solid profit margin is better, but your business may need to prove itself first.
Saying You Are a Green Company Isn’t Enough
Many companies get away with saying they are environmentally-friendly when, in reality, they aren’t. When going green first became popular, these businesses got away with it. Now, consumers have caught on and will check to make sure that your business truly practices sustainability. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a nonprofit organization that rates buildings based on their level of sustainability. This rating allows others to make sure that companies are being honest when it comes to their green business practices.
Getting Green Tools and Materials
Being a green company varies, depending on the industry that you are in. The construction industry will need to consider its tools and materials. Consumers like to know that you are using tools and materials that have a low impact on the environment. Power tools can emit nasty fumes that pollute the environment, but you can use cordless rechargeable tools that will use less energy and cut down on fumes. Finding renewable materials to make buildings more sustainable isn’t difficult. For example, many green buildings are using cotton for insulation. Other companies use software to calculate the costs and sustainability of buildings before they are constructed.
Go Green for More Green ($)
Hospitals, office complexes, town homes—no matter what type of building it is, it can be made with sustainability in mind. More consumers are demanding homes and businesses that conserve energy, and that use renewable materials in their construction. Construction businesses can profit from this increase in demand and also help the environment in the process. Is it time that your business went green
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