What is a ‘Green Building,’ and how do I get one?

Seems like a simple enough question. The truth, though, is that there is no simple answer, and that keeps many of us from making the necessary changes to incorporate green technologies and practices, which in many cases will save us money and, more importantly, improve the quality of our lives.

Last year we moved into a new manufacturing facility in Upstate New York, and like many business owners today we looked at all of the great incentive programs for using energy efficient heating and lightning. The result has been significantly lower utility bills, a constant radiant heat, even on the subzero days, and lighting that, to date, has not needed a bulb change.

However, one of the most difficult issues to deal with in creating a ‘green’ environment is indoor air quality. Lack of proper ventilation, low negative ion levels, odors, off-gassing from furnishings, chemicals, biologicals etc…all contribute to poor indoor air quality and can be a struggle.

Chemicals are not always the solution and may add to the problem. We can all relate to opening up the windows to let the fresh air blow through, leaving it smelling fresher, even cleaner. Naturally occurring ozone in the air provides a deodorizing effect when the breeze blows through. This is a very simple clean technology that allows you to naturally eliminate odors without the use of harsh chemicals throughout your facility, literally as if you were opening all the windows and just letting the fresh air flow through.

Ions are charged particles in the air that are formed in nature when enough energy acts upon a molecule such as carbon dioxide, oxygen, water or nitrogen to eject an electron from the molecule, leaving a positively charged ion.

The displaced electron attaches itself to a nearby molecule, which then becomes a negatively charged ion. It is the negative ion of oxygen that affects us the most. Remember that feeling you’ve experienced near a waterfall, or a mountain high? Those are places where thousand of negative ions occur.

The negative ions can cause microscopic particles (particulates) floating in a room, that often cause people to have allergic reactions, to clump together and fall to the floor where they can be vacuumed up. This is due to an electrostatic charge between the negative ions and other air molecules and particles in the air. Negative ionizers have been used for years to help rid closed indoor, unoccupied environments of allergens, such as dust particles, animal dander, pollen, mold spores, cigarette smoke, and other particulates. From the restroom to the garbage room and every area in between, this is the safest, most effective means of eliminating troublesome odors while improving the air quality throughout. The bonus is that you will actually save money in the process.

Everyone is looking for ‘green products.’ What can be greener than Mother Nature’s very own air cleaner? ❑