How does sustainable building or building "green" save you money?

Public Comments

1. Your energy bills decrease because "green" energy is more cost effective in the long run. For instance, solar energy and windmill energy is less expensive bill-wise than electricity. Also, the newer heating/cooling equipment and the newer appliances such as dryers, stoves, and refrigerators are made to run on less power, making them more energy efficient, thus reducing costs. Plus, you are more likely to be eligible for tax breaks/incentives.
2. right now it doesn't. It is still more expensive to build green and the "green infrastructure" is not there yet. People that are proponents say things like the long run but there is no guarantee. I think it is a good idea to be thinking about smarter ways to do things - I'm just skeptical about unproven hype. Do your own research.
3. Your energy bills go down. For instance using a CFL bulb, switching off lights when not required etc saves up on your electricity bill. Similarily installing a low flow shower head, re using grey water, using smart sprinkler controller etc will minimize your water usage at home. Hence it'll cut down on your water bill. Moreover, it will benefit the environment.
4. Building green saves money by requiring less artificial heating, cooling, lighting, and ventilation. The crux of building green is the DESIGN, not expensive fittings. If the design is right you're already over half way there (to having a building that heats, cools, lights, and ventilates itself for free). This is how is saves money. No higher building costs, and cheaper operating costs forever. Of course you CAN spend more money to make the building even more efficient by using more efficient materials such as high grade insulation, draft control materials, double glazed windows, energy efficient lighting, etc. Most of these will quickly pay themselves off and make the building even cheaper to operate for its entire life. But don't lose sight of the fact that design is still the highest priority. Too many buildings are still being build with terrible designs and then being 'propped up' into being a little more efficient through spending lots more money on materials & equipment.