Many benefits to 'green' buildings

(FOX Providence) - By now, most people know what going green is, but building green may be a bit of a new concept to many. So, what exactly is a green building?

"A green building is a building that achieves better performance through energy, water conservation, material use, so that overall the way the building is constructed gives it these credentials, said Steven Hughes of The Rhode Island Green Building Council.

According to Hughes, buildings in the United States are responsible for 72% of electricity consumption, a number that has to come down.

Ways to conserve energy in our buildings ranges from better insulation to using materials with large recycle content. Rhode Island is set to lead they way with new Green Buildings Act.

"We helped legislatures last year write and pass the Green Buildings Act . So, that requires that all state buildings are built to a better and higher environmental standard," continued Hughes.

"Not only educate the building officials that are doing these inspections, to make sure that they're meeting the code, and are energy efficient. But, also to educate the public to make sure that they understand why we're doing it and how it important it is for the state to make sure our buildings are energy efficient," added Jack Leyden, RI State Building Commissioner.

A great example of a green building is on the campus of Rhode Island College . Students have fully embraced the green lifestyle. They have even started recycling drives and using environmentally safe cleaning products in their dorm rooms.

"We should have more buildings that are green, 'cause of the a lot of the buildings here aren't that green. This one's a lot nice," said RI College student Julie Hauser.

Residential houses are also beginning to be built green, and the reason should be obvious.

David Kessler, President of Native Structures said "The reason we're doing this is because we know that resources are important, and so everything that goes into this house; the materials, the services are done in the most efficient manner."

New home builders are often encouraged to use locally harvested wood, and push for better insulation, in order to increase energy efficiency.

Click here to get in touch with a local green building company.