Author
Symmons Industries
Sustainable construction continues to be a hot topic driven by public demand for eco-friendly materials and energy-saving systems in homes and hotels. Rising energy costs and growing concern about global warming are prompting hotel operators and multifamily developers alike to act. Below are a few areas where we predict building operators will be focusing their energy-saving efforts.
It’s estimated that there will be a 48% increase in the amount of energy used worldwide by the year 2040, so it’s more important than ever to use energy-saving materials.
Sustainable Construction Tips for Your Next Project
Locally-Sourced and Manufactured Building Materials
Hospitality and Multifamily developers should use raw manufacturing materials from local vendors where possible. By doing so, they are reducing the use of fuel, and decreasing pollution and greenhouse gas emissions associated with transporting these materials. In addition to the environmental benefits of using local materials, these projects can be submitted for the highly-coveted LEED certification. LEED v4 is the newest approach to getting architects and designers to not only use eco-friendly materials, but also think about how they impact human health and the environment.
Lighting
Bringing more natural light into a building affects both mood and productivity. Light tubes, timed switches, daylight sensors, and low-energy consumption bulbs for interior and exterior fixtures all play a part in making the modern building a more pleasant space, whether for work or public enjoyment.
Plumbing
Water use is one of the biggest concerns in commercial space. A commitment to save water begins with education, but low-flush toilets, waterless urinals and sensor-operated faucets represent proactive steps toward savings. Symmons is committed to reducing the carbon footprint by ensuring several of their product lines carry the WaterSense® certification. Products and services that have earned this label have been certified to be at least 20 percent more efficient without sacrificing performance. Upgrading to more efficient WaterSense certified products can help us to save billions of gallons of water in the country every year.
