Going green seems to be a new “fad” lately considering the amount of places that are becoming greener.  This little fact is a very good thing because people are now realizing the Earth is changing, and we have no way to stop it.  Travel such as hotels and airlines, citizens, schools; all are trying to take this problem and fix it by becoming greener.  We now have construction companies building sustainable housing for commercial and residential buildings to help with our crisis.

Sustainable buildings are buildings that are built eco-friendly and are quickly becoming very popular in the world of construction.  There are several reasons besides global warming, the rising cost of fuel, and pollution.  One of which is the better indoor air quality of the houses, causing a reduced level of allergens and toxins, generally making citizens feel healthier.

The products used are also much better than products used in houses that are not sustainable, making them more demanded amongst future and present home owners.  An example of this is cork used as the floors in a kitchen or a bathroom.  The cork is naturally antimicrobial which is defined as killing or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms, making it safer for adults and children.

Going green is all about saving energy; the more we save the happier citizens are.  These sustainable buildings will save up to 40% more energy than their counterparts, making it easier to be more eco-friendly without having to worry about how long we leave the lights on ore how long our showers are.  Better organization of the designs, appropriate gear, and a preserved building all contribute to requiring less heat and AC.  Since energy costs are increasing, the amount of savings will grow only over time so we must be patient.

In the world of real estate, they try to find ways of making more money.  They are beginning to realize very quickly that sustainable buildings are increasing in value in their customers eyes.  Studies show that commercial and residential homes that have gone green have higher lease rates and lower vacancies.  When determining the value of buildings, the industry is now taking into consideration the sustainability when doing their numbers.  This is a very good step for the real estate company because the more sustainable buildings they make the more tenants they will bring in because of the excellent structure; help with the environment, and the great value of the buildings.

And lastly, a good portion of the success of sustainable buildings goes to the fact that when living in a sustainable house or working in a sustainable building, unlike the houses and business buildings built in the past, sustainable houses let off less carbon emissions which is defined as polluting carbons let off into the atmosphere.  Less carbon emission is always a good thing in the eyes of the people.  Especially those who have devoted all of their time and energy into making others understand that the world must go green.  In addition to less carbon emission, sustainable buildings also reduce waste and helps renew and preserve natural resources.