INTERNATIONAL RATING SYSTEMS
The systems for USGBC mandate higher and more rigorous efficiency percentages. There is a wide range of environmental and economic benefits that come from standards ratings and certifications ratings. USGBC concluded that the energy, carbon, water and waste can be reduced. The reductions can cause an increase in savings by more than 30%. The operations in green buildings can be reduced by approximately 8-9% and thus increasing the value of the property by about 8%. It has been proven that many buildings have had an increase in their investment by more than 3.5%. Other benefits that arise from the USGBC mandate is that the buildings are of higher quality since they have a higher rating and thus ensuring that the buildings can last for a longer time and that they are much safer (Martin, 2005). It increases or does not affect the health of the occupant, and it increases the daylight in the rooms since it made out of healthier materials
The Australia water reduction method has lower standards and may end up causing more havoc as the contractor intends to save the money for constructing. Furthermore, the recycled products, however processed they may be can never be compared to the original products. It is clear the systems cannot be measured in the same manner. The more rigorous system would be the USGBC.
• What is the major difference between Australia's water-reduction strategies and those of the USGBC?
Lifecycle Cost Savings
The major difference between the Australia’s water reduction strategies and the USGBC is that the former uses recycled materials while the latter uses new materials for its buildings. Some of the advantages of using USGBC instead of the Australian system is that there are much more savings. The lifecycle costing of the USGBC is much lower than a building that has been built using recycled materials. A building that has been built using newer materials will require less maintenance unlike a building where recycled materials have been used. It is because the recycled materials will always need some maintenance from time to time for it to last longer. The contractor will end up using lesser money that the person using the Australian system.
Maintenance Savings
The money that is used in the maintenance of the building will be lower in the USGBC that in the Australian system. The materials that are used in the construction will be lower, and the cost of replacement of items will be lower as well. For example, native or inert landscaping conserves both water and monthly maintenance. In the same way, pollution prevention and the waste management methods will help to deal with the refuse disposal and treatment leading to lower costs.
Savings by Design
The second largest segment where the profits and savings come from is the design. A simpler design will cost much less than a complicated design. There are many potential savings that may blur the line between green design and the value of engineering (Langdon, 2009). In the attempts of a contractor to make savings, they may end up overlooking some important issues such as the engineering bit of it. The design that is chosen should be flexible in order to match with all that has been given and maintained the square footage and all the associated designs in the building.
Efficiency in infrastructure
There is minimization of infrastructure especially on the sewer and utility. The use of materials that can be found locally and claimed materials did not inly boost the local economy but also grant jobs to the local communities. The companies have to ensure that they take care of the people who live nearby, or they will always want something in return for their perseverance. e.g., minimized length of sewer and utility lines, savings on surface area for paving,
Improvements in the Construction Process
Restoration at the site may help to protect the site and thus manage both the site access and path of travel. Cost of repair can be prevented but maintaining regular servicing of the building, waste materials can be collected to prevent waste material. In order to avoid contamination, site housekeeping and phasing can be used to avoid contamination. Further, the recycled materials should not be use for the interior finishes.
• What are the barriers to instituting such strategies in the United States?
The buildings have to be safe to the environment. It means that they should keep environmental pollution to the bare minimum. People should not be affected either by noise or dust. The materials that are used in the buildings should not cause any harm to the individual.
Works Cited
Kats, G. (2003). The Costs and Financial Benefits of Green Building - A Report to California’s Sustainable Building . State of arlifornia: . Sacramento CA.
Langdon, D. (2009). Cost of Green Revisited - Reexamining the Feasibility and Cost Impact of Sustainable Design . Santa Monica: Davis Langdon.
Martin, W. L. (2005). Going the Distance: The Impact of Sustainability on Programming and Budgeting. Engineering , Volume three, 10.
