“The depletion of natural resources, increasing frequency of extreme climate events, and rapidly transforming global socio-economic landscape has made sustainable business practices an imperative for companies in all sectors,” said Sara Gutterman, CEO, Green Builder Media. “We were interested in conducting a survey with a diverse group of building industry firms to benchmark our sector’s strengths and weaknesses. We’re happy to see that companies are embracing certain green business practices, like energy efficiency and recycling, but we’re eager to see improvement in other areas like transportation and green accounting, which blends profitability with social and environmental considerations.”

According to the survey, the building industry is readily embracing energy conservation and efficiency. Over 90 percent of respondents claimed that lights and computers are turned off when not in use. Approximately 85 percent reported that their companies save energy by using day-lighting strategies, 56 percent use lighting controls, and 46 percent use LED lighting. Only 15 percent of respondents reported use of solar lighting systems for parking or security lighting.

Over 75 percent of those surveyed asserted that their companies use programmable thermostats for zone heating and cooling, and nearly 65 percent said that their HVAC systems are sized properly and designed for flexibility and efficiency. Only 35 percent of respondents reported that their companies utilize personal controls for HVAC systems, and only 17 percent use radiant heating systems.

The survey indicates that companies in the building sector are aware of indoor air quality issues. Seventy percent of respondents indicated that their companies use low/no VOC paints and stains, 65 percent use nontoxic cleaning products, 60 percent have humidity and moisture control systems, and 53 percent use nontoxic adhesives. To see the complete survey, visit http://bit.ly/gfoa7g.

Publication date: 11/12/2012