by Brianna Crandall — February 18, 2019 — With buildings consuming almost 40% of the total US energy consumption and generate 30% of greenhouse gas emissions [see EIA statistics] , it’s no secret that green buildings can help companies and facilities professionals reduce environmental impact, increase energy efficiency, and save on operating costs [see FMLink article on Dodge Data & Analytics report]. However, can buildings also affect the health and well-being of their occupants?
According to research, buildings can have a unique ability to positively affect our well-being and way of thinking. Because human beings spend 90 percent of their time indoors, people are increasingly looking for sustainably built spaces that make them feel good about working. A recent survey conducted for the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) found that three in four workers would take a job in a LEED-certified building over one in a non-certified building.
Thus, green buildings are not only a way for facilities managers (FMs) and organizations to be environmentally responsible, but also a tool for them to attract and retain new occupants and employees, points out construction equipment rental network BigRentz.
Green building features such as sustainable materials, improved acoustics, renewable resources, clean indoor air quality (IAQ), views of nature, and living walls have been shown to improve employee productivity, increase satisfaction, and lower symptoms of depression and indoor sickness. This, in turn, can lead to better overall health and satisfaction in these spaces.
To illustrate the impact of green buildings on employee health, happiness and performance, BigRentz created an infographic that highlights 15 ways green buildings influence how people think and feel.
Infographic courtesy BigRentz. Click to enlarge.
BigRentz notes in conclusion that as the costs for sustainable building materials and products continue to drop, green building will not only be cost-effective for construction, but may also be the best solution for solving our environmental and health issues.
The infographic is also available from the BigRentz blog entry “The Psychological Benefits of Green Buildings.”
