What are green technologies?

The cost of energy is increasing and sustainable, energy efficient construction is the trend of the future.  Green construction or sustainable building uses processes and materials that are environmentally responsible and resource efficient from building siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and demolition.  Buildings built using these concepts are efficient, durable, and comfortable.

 Environmentally friendly construction practices produce environmental, social, and economic benefits.  Green building uses sustainable design and may incorporate permeable concrete to enhance replenishment of ground water, renewable energy sources like active and passive solar energy, solar panels to generate power, a reduction in the use of building materials, improved building design, and landscaping to reduce heating and cooling costs.  While different regions may apply different techniques, all of them involve energy efficiency, materials efficiency, water efficiency, indoor air environmental quality improvement, waste reduction, and maintenance efficiency.  These processes and methods improve the sustainability of a project by the way raw materials are used, where they come from, how they are processed, and ultimately incorporated into the building project.

 Life cycle assessment of the construction process accounts for the impacts of raw materials acquisition, processing, manufacturing, distribution, use, and disposal or recycling.  This can lead to a certification framework called Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) where green building practices of design, construction, operations and maintenance lead to a certification score or measurement tool.  A higher LEED certification indicates a more sustainable, environmentally-friendly project.  Some businesses and individuals want a LEED certified building because they believe it leads to a healthier work and living environment, improves air and water quality, reduces waste, and benefits society as a whole.  A LEED building may cost more but it is generally appraised to be worth more because it has lower operating costs and can command higher rents and occupancy.  LEED standards are continuously being modified and improved so the LEED process should produce a more streamlined and efficient process in the future.

 Lake Land offers a program in Building Construction Technology.  This program is currently being revised and will include instruction on LEED and green building technology.

 Because we are always building new homes and businesses the number of career pathways in construction technology is huge.  These might include Construction Laborers, Planners, Managers, Estimators, and Developers, Electricians, Solar Panel Installers, Energy Analysts, Heavy Equipment Operators, Plumbers, Glazers, CAD Technician, Energy Auditors, Building Inspectors, Bankers, Logistical Managers, Sustainability Technologies Specialist, Engineers, Planning Analyst, Architects, Maintenance Technician, Facilities Planning Manager, Sales Managers, Green Buildings Project Manager, and hundreds of related occupations.