With energy resources dwindling, many builders consider energy efficiency in new construction. Building a "green" hotel can be a challenge, but when efficiencies are incorporated into the building process, costs can be reduced. Some builders obtain LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. For environmentally conscious travelers, this designation could determine where they stay while traveling.
Instructions
1. Consider the site on which you will build your green hotel. You may want to face or design the building so that it makes maximum use of natural light. You will also want to make the best use of the natural landscape so that excessive amounts of water and chemicals aren't needed for upkeep.
2. Select building materials that do not damage the environment, either through extraction or building. Many companies now market new-growth lumber, so the consumer knows that it has not been taken from old-growth forests. You can also build with recycled materials, such as scrap PVC to make shingles, to lower costs.
3. Use building materials that reduce the amount of heating and cooling needed. Insulated concrete forms, structural insulated panels, autoclaved aerated concrete blocks and high-performance windows help maintain a constant temperature inside a structure, reducing heating and cooling costs.
4. Install sinks, showers and toilets that save on water. Builders can choose from many appliances that use less gallons of water for each use.
5. Install energy-efficient lighting. Motion-activated lighting can also be installed in common areas to save energy. You can also save energy with outdoor lighting by installing solar-powered lighting around sidewalks and parking lots.
6. Install an energy-efficient heating and cooling system. Such systems cut down on use of power as well as emission of chlorofluorocarbons. You can supplement your system with solar panels that help power the system as well as other electrical systems within the hotel.
7. Use interior materials that provide a healthy environment for visitors. Nontoxic paints, solvents and adhesives can be used in many instances. Build pollutant removers into the ventilation system to aid visitors with respiratory conditions. Choose floor coverings, finish, trim and caulking that have been manufactured using green methods and that provide energy or environmental benefits for your hotel.
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