What is green technology? The term “green technology” is used to define processes or services whose primary goal is to create cost-effective, safe, and eco-friendly solutions. Today, green technology is being applied to different market spaces. From transportation, energy development, and manufacturing — green technology is the cool new idea everyone’s trying to do.
Now that everyone is invested in the climate crisis, people in all industries are using their own creative ways to help the world. This also applies to the architecture and the construction industry. Green technology in construction is responsible for making buildings more sustainable and energy-efficient. In architecture, it helps builders create structures with lower carbon footprints. Its focus is on the efficient use of energy and resources.
Green technology in construction is present in every phase of development. From planning, design, to maintenance operations. In this article, we list new green technologies that are being used in construction today. We’ll also learn how much impact they have on the environment. But first, let’s find out the benefits of green tech in the construction industry:
- Green technology helps people in every demographic save money.
- Green technology is good for the environment. It reduces the environmental impact that comes from the processing, installation, and transport of materials.
- Green technology uses sustainable materials that are easy to replace
4 New Green Technology Innovations in Construction
Green Cement
Cement has always been our primary material choice for buildings in the last two centuries. In fact, it’s the most widely used man-made material of our planet. However, it has a major flaw. It’s one of the biggest sources of carbon emissions. Thankfully, there are now better alternatives and eco-friendly solutions to traditional cement.
One of these is the green cement. Green cement is a type of cement produced with the help of a “carbon-negative manufacturing process.” In this process, cement production minimizes carbon emissions by changing how it is heated and stored.
Cool Roofs
Cool roofs are roofs designed to reflect sunlight and absorb less heat. It does this by increasing a building’s solar reflectance and decreasing its thermal emittance. In the summer, cool roofs make your home cooler by transmitting less heat. This helps you save energy and money from air conditioners.
Cool roofs are great in urban areas. If every home in a city area had a cool roof, there will be less heat transferred from the roof to the air, thereby slowing the urban heat. If every home in the world had cool roofs, we might be able to save ourselves from the climate crisis. The cost of installing a cool roof may be much higher but the energy cost savings, in the long run, are much greater.
Electrochromic Smart Glass
Another common green technology used in sustainable construction is the electrochromic smart glass. It’s a new technology that works by shutting out the heat of solar radiation. Using tiny electric signals, the smart glass charges the windows and changes the amount of radiation it reflects.
Glass is an amazing building material. It keeps our spaces bright by letting light in. However, light and heat when you don’t want it can heat your home. A smart electro-chromatic glass window is a great solution to this problem. With materials that allow them to change color (from transparent to opaque) smart windows, can block off heat and light when you don’t want it inside your home.
Electro chromatic glass is one of the most high-tech and eco-friendly solutions to energy management. Most of these devices can be programmed by a smartphone. Which helps you limit sunlight coming in so you don’t have to use your AC during the day. These devices can also be installed into the building’s control system thereby giving owners the freedom of solar radiation to block. Just like cool roofs, this technology can save power from heating and cooling at home.
Water Efficiency Technologies
Global water demand is continuously increasing due to our world’s rapid population growth. In order to conserve water, a green technology approach to buildings must be used. What is green technology’s role in water management? What are water efficiency technologies? This sustainable construction technology helps buildings make efficient water supply systems. It often includes processes such as dual plumbing, wastewater re-use, and harvesting of rainwater.
All the mentioned techniques can help lower sewer traffic and increase water efficiency. It will ensure that water will be recycled and used for other non-potable purposes such as flushing toilets and washing cars.
Final Thoughts
What is green technology’s future in the construction industry? Can it be a solution to our world’s climate crisis?
Green technology within the construction industry is evolving and we’re seeing more and more brilliant innovations each year. Thanks to our hard-working scientists, the future will have better, more livable, and sustainable homes. Also, let’s not forget that sustainability goes hand in hand with energy efficiency. Through green technologies, we can make construction cheaper, safer, and better for our environment.
