Currently, what is keeping "green" buildings from widespread use?

Answer 1

Kevin,
I think there are many reasons for this but the main one I feel is lack of knowledge. Government and Healthcare industries are stepping it up so people can see the benefits.

There are many obstacles in the path toward building green buildings on a larger scale. It is a whole design scheme that takes time to implement with contractors and business willing to build them. When building green one has to look at the building as one system working throughout the building instead of separate systems. The design methods are also not widely used because they are not widely known.
As this concept catches on we will see more and more green buildings. It’s all about bottom lines, and money talks. Green buildings built well can save around $1 per square foot in annual energy costs.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Right now there are a lot of factors keeping green buildings from springing up everywhere:

1) Solar installers, wind installers, any installer. There just aren't enough of them to go around. RE devices aren't like TVs you can buy, bring home and plug in. It takes a proffessional who knows what hes doing to come and make sure its installed properly so you don't short out your house or have your roof start leaking.

2) Builders. Builders have been building buildings the same way for a long time and they don't see a reason to change. This is all new to them and it would spending time to go back and learn all these new techniques which takes time and money instead of putting up new homes and making money. And even though its easier to put RE into a home while its being built rather than after its been built, what do you think they're gonna do, lose money or make money?

3) Type of buildings. Small buildings like 1 or 2 story homes can easily become green buildings, even buildings that export power back into the grid. But the larger a building gets the harder it is to keep it "green". And since most commercial buildings are large, its almost impossible to have them be totally green.

4) Money. RE isn't cheap. Sure you earn the money back by saving money on your electricity or heating bill but it takes time. Average pay back for a solar system is 10-20 years (usually 15-20) depending on the home and most people don't have $100k to just throw around on a shiny new PV system. Energy efficient appliances and properly installed insulation in your walls have a much faster payback.

There are a few more things like your electric company (they want you to buy their power after all) and production (some companies can't make solar panels fast enough, some are sold out for a while) that also contribute.

Please support RE in anyway you can (except complaining, that doesn't help, be active) and get insulation, put a geothermal system in, and buy Energy star appliances. They'll save you money. And even if you don't believe in global warming, theres peak oil. And even if you don't believe in peak oil theres energy security. So do your part for us all.

Answer 4

With the high cost of energy, green concepts are becoming more main stream.
I have rental homes which have been remodeled with better quality windows and more insulation, etc. I think that everyone does some of the things which can make their buildings more green. It is difficult to do everything all at once even in a new project. I am meeting more and more people who have built new homes with
heat pumps and are super efficient. Once
a better option becomes clear, people will use it. It is a function of education and then availability and price.

Answer 5

Though Im not entirely sure what a green building is, I would have to say that anything meant to promote better care for our mother earth at the expense of profits for corporations would likely have them determined to stop it from happening so in answer to your question, Id say the profit loving corporations and/or their chief allies, the politicians.

Answer 6

not every business just decides to run out and build them a new building. most of them just renovate building that are already present and would be quite expensive to change them over to complete green technology type buildings.

Answer 7

Building regulations.

Answer 8

perhaps its due to limited research proving the positive effects on long term use- time is always a factor in providing solid, reliable, and valid results to promote a new idea- especially life changing ones!

Answer 9

Rent To Own Home - http://RentToOwnHome.uzaev.com/?ctWx

Answer 10

cost and education of the public on these matters.
God bless,
gabe