Formative Assessment No.

5
GREEN BUILDING MATERIALS

I. GREEN BUILDING PRACTICE

In modern times, people have become quite conscious about the surroundings. They realize that a great
harm has been caused to the environment due to neglect. A major step of going green is needed to address
the problem. Nowadays, international construction companies use green building which is the practice of
increasing efficiency with which buildings use resources- energy, water and materials-while reducing
building impacts on human health and the environment.

II. CHARACTERISTICS OF GREEN PRODUCTS AND MATERIALS

1. Energy Efficient
Energy efficiency is reducing the amount of energy required to provide products and services. For example,
the use of insulation allows a building to use less heating and cooling energy to achieve and maintain a
comfortable temperature. Also, installing LED lighting, fluorescent lighting or natural skylight windows
reduces the amount of energy required to attain the same level of illumination compared to using traditional
incandescent lights.

2. Renewable Energy
Renewable energy is energy that is collected from renewable resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides,
waves and geothermal heat. It often provides energy in four important areas: electricity generation, air and
water heating/cooling, transportation, and rural energy services.

3. Renewable Resource
A renewable resource is a natural resource which will replenish or replace the portion depleted by usage
and consumption, either through natural reproduction or other recurring processes in a finite amount of time
in a human time scale. Oxygen, fresh water, solar energy and biomass are good examples. Gasoline, coal,
natural gas, diesel, plastics and other fossil fuels are not renewable since they take millions or years to be
made and cannot be renewed in a lifetime.

4. Low Impact on the Environment

Materials that do not significantly diminish environmental quality are low impact, which are waste, recycled,
reclaimed, timber from a sustainably managed source or local materials sources from within 35 miles.

5. Low Impact on Health

Green products and materials have low impact on health. The use of material or products that are made to
look like wood have higher levels of formaldehyde can cause respiratory disease. To have better air quality,
choose to use solid and natural wood.

II. ADVANTAGES OF USING GREEN BUILDING MATERIALS OVER TRADITIONAL MATERIALS

Aside from its being able to complement the classical building design concerns of economy, utility, durability,
and comfort, using green building materials over traditional materials has economic, environmental and
social benefits:

A. Economic
Green buildings save money because they conserve resources and enhance efficiency by optimizing
building orientation and integrating natural daylight and ventilation. For example, installing LED lighting,
fluorescent lighting or natural skylight windows reduces the amount of energy required to attain the same
level of illumination compared to using traditional incandescent lights. Also, using natural insulation such as
roof gardens and technology such as solar panels and fuel cells help conserve energy.

B. Environmental
Environmental impact of the building industry is lessened by making use of renewable energy resources. By
applying reduce, reuse, and recycle to materials in all phases of construction and demolition, harmful waste
products produced during construction is reduced. Green buildings also enhance occupant safety, health,
and comfort by reducing or eliminating toxic and harmful materials and finishes. Green material is good for
long-term benefits to our planet. Hence, every environment conscious person seeks it today.

C. Social
Green buildings enhance occupant health and comfort, improve indoor air quality, minimize strain on local
utility infrastructure, and improves overall quality of life.

REFERENCES

http://www.greenbuildproducts.com/blog/green-materials-advantages/

https://ukdiss.com/examples/green-building.php

https://www.greenbuilt.org/about/importance-of-green-building/