5 Top Ways to Make Your Commercial Building More Sustainable

With the world’s current emphasis on sustainability, the pressure is on commercial property owners to step up and take responsibility. With many commercial buildings boasting high-energy usage items such as heating and cooling systems and multiple lighting features, the average building shows high levels of carbon emissions. Can you solve this challenge? 

One of the top ways to increase the sustainability of your business property is to enlist the help of experts like the commercial plumbers Melbourne locals are using to install green plumbing features. There are actually several ways to increase the sustainability of your property quickly and cost-effectively. Let’s show you. 

Simple Ways to Make Your Building More Green

With the growing demand for more corporate and commercial sustainability, many new building projects involve ways to reduce future carbon emissions. However, if you aren’t going to rebuild or renovate any time soon, are there other ways to make your properties more sustainable? 

  1. Rainwater Harvesting

Many residential property owners have already installed water harvesting systems on offer from reputable vendors like plumber hoppers crossing locals depend on. This may leave you wondering if similar systems can be applied to commercial buildings. Fortunately, you can. 

Commercial buildings with flat roofs are the ideal areas to install rooftop tanks. You can use the water harvested in these tanks for cleaning, watering on-site gardens and filling any water features. This leaves the water from the mains strictly for drinking, which in turn saves a considerably amount of water annually. 

Some of the more extensive advantages of investing in rainwater harvesting include the following:

  • Reduces the need to import water during times of water shortage
  • Doesn’t require an additional filtration system if the water is going to be used for non-drinking purposes
  • Promotes energy conservation since there’s no need for electrical pumps or filtration systems
  • Reduces the overall cost of your water bill
  1. Solar Panel Installation

Finding renewable sources of energy is another top way to reduce your properties’ carbon footprints. Currently, solar energy is the most eco-friendly way to reduce the amount of energy used by each property. 

Since Australia has a very high solar radiation per square meter, it’s the perfect environment for installing solar panels. With the high amount of electricity used in industrial and commercial buildings, installing solar panels is an excellent way to make your property more sustainable as well as reduce overall energy costs.

  1. Changing to Energy-Efficient Lighting

Another way to reduce energy use is to upgrade all the lighting systems and use more energy-efficient options such as power-saving fittings and bulbs. This is necessary for indoor and outdoor lighting.

Experts also recommend motion sensor-lighting around your building. This will ensure that energy is only used when the sensor detects movement. After all, there’s no need for lights to be on 24-hours a day.

  1. Opt for Green building Insulation Material

When it’s time to add or redo the insulation in your commercial building, it’s recommended that you use greener options. Choosing eco-friendly materials with emphasis on enhanced thermal mass properties will instantly make the property more energy efficient.

A common material used for this type of insulation is the plant-based polyurethane rigid foam. Since it’s made from a combination of hemp, kelp and bamboo the insulation properties are quite remarkable. Furthermore, this type of material is considerably healthier for the people working or spending long periods in the space.

  1. Rooftop Gardens

Many commercial property owners have resorted to turning their rooftops into sustainable gardens. Doing this not only improves the air quality for the area but also creates a type of insulation on the property. 

Additionally, the added greenery is also useful in reducing any storm-water run-off which in turn enhances the efficiency of any solar panels you may have installed.

Furthermore, adding green cover in an ordinarily concrete jungle also has many ecologically benefits. Local councils in the Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide areas encourage business owners to add rooftop gardens to commercial buildings. 

The more significant benefits of a rooftop garden include:

  • Can reduce heat flux from commercial rooftops by about 72% and make spaces up to 40% cooler
  • Rooftop gardens can last up to 30-40 years if properly maintained
  • If you’re growing vegetables and fruits, the produce can be sold or donated to the community

Benefits of a Sustainable Property

There are several benefits to installing eco-friendly features to your property, so if you need motivation to invest some money in getting it right, consider this:

  • Increases the value of your property
  • Easier to attract new tenants who are environmentally conscious
  • Boosts reputation of your business
  • Reduces your carbon footprint
  • Shows a significant reduction in energy costs
  • Sets a precedent for other buildings in the area

Click here – 5 Questions to Ask When Planning Financial Security for Your Not-For-Profit Organisation 

Final Thoughts

Adding sustainable features to your commercial building is an excellent way to reduce your overall carbon footprint. Using a few of our tips will help you get started on making your space more environmentally friendly and sustainable and the many benefits are worth the time, money and effort!