But you already knew. What I didn’t know was that for a long time, buildings have been running on oil and coal as an energy source when in Canada a clear and much greener alternative is in the making: renewable energy. More than the idea of green building, greening your buildings also means using sustainable green energy alternatives.
Although green energy alternatives such as wind and solar are not widely supported by the government, you can take the initiative and have an energy efficient commercial building.
One way to do this is by purchasing green electricity, a practice that is becoming increasingly popular in Canada.
Buying green electricity is a simple process. Just let a green electricity provider inject electricity from renewable energy sources like wind power into your regional grid. You don’t even have to buy special equipment: your commercial building’s electricity will continue to use the grid it’s always used, only this time, the electricity comes from a renewable energy source.
How does purchasing green electricity help strengthen your brand? A 2007 survey by Bullfrog Power showed that more than 60% of Canadians are more likely to support companies that commit to green policies. What this shows is that beyond a company’s products and services, ethics and principles are also an important consideration, specifically in relation to green building.
Another benefit of switching to your business is that you get to decrease the emission of greenhouse gases. Conventional electricity sources, such as coal and oil, are among the top contributors to air pollution and soil contamination. With green power, your business can claim that it has, in fact, reduced greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants into the environment. This is usually a claim that the green electricity provider is willing to endorse.
An example of a green electricity provider is Bullfrog Power. As a relatively new company, it has been able to supplement green building by providing green electricity. The choice to green your steel buildings is entirely up to you: if you decide to include it in the construction of your building, include it in your cost estimate.
