Some experts say that we are past the peak of oil consumption. Although the global production of oil decreased significantly, demand for crude oil consistently rises. This case is also true when it comes to the construction industry.
Construction industries depend on affordable crude oils for their machines in their projects. Sure enough, these pieces of equipment and traditional production methods cause carbon emissions, thus leaving a significant amount of carbon footprint.
Switching to Eco-Friendly Methods
Today, many industries– including the construction industry, acknowledge the pollution problem caused by traditional production methods. Recognizing the problem is the first step to making a change.
Construction companies are starting to use environmentally-sound materials and methods for their project. Due to efforts to ensure minimum waste, there is a rise in revenue in eco-friendly construction in the US.
Eco-Friendly Methods in Different Stages of Construction
Every project has a process, and every process has stages. Becoming eco-friendly means implementing environmentally beneficial methods throughout all stages of the project.
Generally, the stages can be categorized into three sections: pre-build, during, and post-build.
Pre-Build: Environmental-Friendly Material Planning
Every construction project needs a plan. Here are the following items you can consider to contribute to an eco-friendly construction process:
- Using locally-sourced materials or renewed materials from previous projects.
- Using materials that can be used for future projects.
- Using materials that can be used for multiple areas of construction developments.
By actively choosing sustainable or re-usable, and local materials for your construction, you are helping the project reduce its carbon footprint.
Sourcing locally does not only benefit the environment, but it also benefits domestic economies.
During: Energy-Efficient Machines and Hoist for Construction
Now that you have sustainable or re-usable materials on hand, how can you ensure that your process is eco-friendly during construction?
Construction involves several pieces of machinery on-site, and these pieces of equipment use energy. Although machines are designed to make tasks easier, they can be overused and overworked resulting in wasted energy.
You can reduce your carbon footprint by working with energy-efficient pieces of equipment and hoists for construction. By making sure that your machines are energy-efficient– you can finish the job with reduced effects on the environment.
Keep in mind that using energy-efficient machines does not only benefit the environment; it also saves you money. For instance, if your equipment runs unnecessarily during downtime, it needlessly uses fuel resulting in greater fuel cost within the construction process.
Post-Build: Eco-Friendly Finishing Touches
The process does not end after the plan is implemented, and the construction is finished. You still need to determine whether energy is being wasted within the structure itself.
For instance, what kind of insulation does the structure have? Insulation is one of the simplest, yet most effective energy-efficient technologies nowadays. It has numerous benefits, such as thermal performance, personal comfort, condensation control, and fire protection. Most insulation products allow consumers to reduce unnecessary energy use.
Environmentally-Sound Design Implementation
Aside from the insolation, you can incorporate fuel-efficient and environmentally-sound technologies within the design of the structures.
The construction industry has been doing the following to ensure lessened carbon footprint in their projects:
Using solar energy.
Solar energy is a quality source of power. Solar panels are old news at this point, but it is effective and more widely used now. Using solar panels to generate electricity from the sun is, of course, eco-friendly and sustainable. It can be used to generate electricity within a building, to power appliances, etc.
Using eco-friendly water filtration and drainage systems.
How do eco-friendly water filtration and drainage systems work? These systems can be designed so that the water within a structure can be consistently reused. Of course, it involves treating and recycling biological waste.
Another way to design an eco-friendly water filtration and drainage system is to design the drains so they lead to green spaces. This system ensures that every drop of water is put to good use.
Using low-energy lighting.
Every little effort counts when it comes to reducing carbon emissions. Low energy light bulbs use less than 20% of the energy of a conventional light bulb. On top of that, it can last up to 15 times longer.
Accounting for a 100% energy saving, low-energy lighting can last twice as long as regular bulbs.
Benefits of an Eco-Friendly Hoist in Construction
Sourcing sustainable materials, switching to energy-efficient hoist equipment and construction machines, and incorporating environmental design implementations sounds like a lot of effort. And, indeed, it is a lot of work. Aside from saving the environment, here are other reasons why you should switch to eco-friendly construction methods:
It is low maintenance and has a low operation cost.
Environmental structures have unique features that guarantee the efficient use of different resources like water and energy. It is all planned out during the pre-build phase, carried out during, and improved further throughout post-build.
It uses fewer materials without compromising the outcome.
As mentioned previously, it is recommended that the construction industry use renewable or sustainable materials. Not only that, but they should also consider using materials that can be reused or recycled for multiple projects. This is material efficiency.
Using less material does not mean a low-quality outcome, it only means that materials are used efficiently and minimal waste is tolerated.
It lessens the strain on local resources.
Switching to environmental construction methods is not only about saving the environment. But also about reducing the strain on local resources like water and energy.
Bottomline
The construction industry has evolved over the years. It is still part of 20% of the total US petroleum consumption. However, now there are more ways in which the industry can help reduce carbon emissions.
By looking at sustainable materials, using energy-efficient equipment, and incorporating environmental design implementations, the construction industry is moving towards a positive change for the environment.
Not every construction company has switched to more eco-friendly methods. But every single one that does is improving the sustainability of construction in the future.
If you want to rent construction equipment that is duty efficient and supports the culture of eco-consciousness, you can get in touch with one of our team members for more information. You can also fill out our online quote request form, and we will be in touch with you to discuss your project in more detail.