Green construction
The building sector alone accounts for 30-40 percent of global energy use. Over 80 percent of the environmentally harmful emissions from buildings are due to energy consumption during the times when the buildings are in use.
It has been proven that simplified working models and systems will result in environmentally friendly and cost-effective 'green buildings' that can reduce energy consumption by 60-80 percent. They will also lead to improved indoor climate and air quality.
The green building also is a reasonable investment. Even though the initial construction costs are 2-5 percent higher than for a conventional building, these costs will be made up for in energy savings over a period of 5-15 years.
Principles of Green construction
Finnish actors have been involved in the development of low-energy and eco-efficient construction alternatives since the late 1980s.
The principles of green construction include:
- simplification to reduce investment costs and to improve reliability
- controlled ventilation and efficient heat recovery
- improved thermal insulation of building envelope
- careful design and construction
- using structures as heat and cool storage units
- excellent indoor climate
