Technology Corridor

It's not just for enviros any more.

Green building. It's a trend that means newly constructed buildings consume 10 to 50 percent less energy than traditionally constructed buildings, yet cost only a small percentage more than standard construction. And it's a trend that is rapidly gaining a foothold with large residential and commercial builders. No wonder utilities of all sizes across the country are paying attention.

Green building doesn't require expensive metering, complicated new technology, constant load monitoring, or indeed much post-construction effort by customers to achieve significant energy savings. Instead, the work is up front, in the design phase of new construction. Energy savings come from integrated building design, putting together an energy-efficient combination of windows, building siting, lighting, and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, among other elements.

Green buildings can cost more than traditional construction, but according to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), that's not always the case. The price for a Johnson Controls green building in Milwaukee was equivalent to that of a similar standard building, though it possessed high-tech features like personal temperature controls. In fact, due to increased energy efficiency, expensive elements like mechanical and electrical systems sometimes can be downsized, leading to a lower overall building cost.