Building Green: The New Global Movement

As is the case for many types of businesses, the energy costs associated with construction continue to increase. Rising energy prices have encouraged the construction market to join the global going green movement. The keys to building green involve the use of new technology and materials in order to reduce energy costs. Undoubtedly two general areas to see these innovations taking place are in school buildings and health care facilities.

In many regions, children are educated in buildings that are at least 50 years old. These older buildings drain energy resources through their outdated equipment, poor insulation and are often overcrowded. Many of these schools desperately need to expand and or replace their outdated buildings in order to accommodate their growing population and reduce energy waste but schools fear the high costs that come with constructing new buildings.

Going green by using modular construction, helps lower the concern about costs for schools. Regardless of initial costs of construction, incorporating modular green construction can reduce the school's overall operational costs. Environmentally, a school that uses a green modular building can increase its energy efficiency, provides a more comfortable and healthier atmosphere for students and decreases the amount of product waste. This can be achieved for example; by re-using entire buildings of major components, installing energy efficient fixtures and using better insulation

While medical facilities are generally less out of date than many school buildings are, they also face rising energy costs, budget restrictions and the need to expand their facilities. Building green health care centers offers all of the same environmental values that schools using modular construction enjoy.

While rising energy costs make going green a global effort for businesses these days, many communities can experience the benefits close to home. Modular construction allows schools and health care clinics to reduce their budgetary strain, while also allowing for the physical expansion both of these facilities need in order to reach their full potential.