Operating costs continue to rise, and sustainability expectations are becoming mainstream. In 2022, buildings were responsible for 34 percent of global energy demand and 37 percent of energy‑ and process‑related CO₂ emissions. In Canada, the federal government estimates buildings account for 18 percent of national emissions (including electricity‑related emissions). When buildings affect both budgets and climate risk, working toward greener facilities becomes an impactful business strategy.
What is a “green building”?
In practical terms, it’s a building designed and operated to reduce its impact on the environment and human health—by using energy and water more efficiently, reducing waste and pollution, and creating healthier indoor conditions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency summarizes green buildings as “the practice of creating structures that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building’s life cycle.”
With a clear goal to work toward, here are five reasons why green buildings are good for business.
1. Lower operating costs with measurable performance
Energy and water are recurring costs. One of the most reliable ways to improve ROI is to make performance visible, then keep improving it over time. ENERGY STAR calls energy benchmarking the “first step” to saving energy because it turns utility data into information you can act on. Even better, DataTrends research from ENERGY STAR finds that buildings that consistently benchmark energy use save an average of 2.4 percent per year.
Once you can measure performance, you can optimize it. Better scheduling, demand‑based control, and accurate analytics can reduce waste without compromising comfort. And it’s these kinds of measurable metrics that lead to continual improvements—year after year.
2. Healthier indoor environments support better work
Your building is not just an operating expense; it’s also a workplace. The quality of your indoor environment influences how people feel, how often they get sick, and how well they can perform their work.
The EPA says Americans spend about 90 percent of their time indoors, where concentrations of some pollutants are often two to five times higher than typical outdoor concentrations. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s workplace ventilation guidance also emphasizes that good ventilation is essential to maintaining a healthy indoor environment and that improving ventilation can reduce the number of particles in the air and lower occupants’ risk of exposure to airborne hazards.
In Canada, Health Canada published practical guidance for employers and building operators on improving indoor air quality in office buildings. The bottom line? Well‑run, healthy buildings are a core part of operational excellence—not an optional extra. A building that can support the people who use it is a building that keeps business moving forward with less interruptions from pollutants.
3. Stronger tenant appeal
Whether you’re competing for tenants or trying to retain them, a green building can be a differentiator, especially as more organizations make public commitments on climate, well-being, and ESG frameworks.
Third‑party certifications help translate “we’re sustainable” into verifiable performance. Think of it as how your building can “walk the talk” when it comes to being better for people and the planet.
LEED certification, for example, is a holistic framework that addresses everything from energy and water use to materials selection, waste management, and indoor environmental quality. In Australia, NABERS is a national rating system managed by the New South Wales Government on behalf of Australia’s federal, state, and territory governments. NABERS office ratings cover energy, water, waste, and indoor environment.
For organizations that prioritize well-being, the WELL Building Standard adds a people-focused dimension. The International WELL Building Institute describes WELL as an evidence-based roadmap to support the health and well-being of your people and your organization.
Certifying your building allows you to make a public commitment to people and the planet while also highlighting your business as one that uses technology to address climate concerns. A green building certification puts your sustainability values into action.
4. Reduced regulatory, disclosure, and reputation risk
Across many markets, building efficiency is becoming harder to hide and easier to compare. If a building can’t demonstrate performance, it risks being ignored by investors—and potentially fined or taxed more in policies that address inefficiencies in energy use.
The shift is already happening. The Australian Government’s Commercial Building Disclosure Program requires energy efficiency information to be provided in most cases when commercial office space of 1,000 square meters or more is offered for sale or lease. In the US, the Department of Energy has published resources to support building energy benchmarking and transparency programs, describing them as a foundation for improved building energy performance.
For owners and facility managers, the takeaway is simple: If you can benchmark, document, and verify performance, you are better prepared when disclosure requirements, tenant questionnaires, or due diligence requests arrive.
From the business side, a green building with clear energy documentation and measured success is significantly more attractive for potential tenants and investors than a comparable building with missing data and no benchmarking goals.
5. Future‑proofing for net zero and resilience
Green building is increasingly about flexibility and resilience, not just efficiency. Natural Resources Canada’s Green Buildings Strategy highlights that green retrofits and “building green from the start” can reduce monthly energy bills and help avoid the costly impacts of extreme weather while also improving resilience to climate hazards such as floods and wildfires.
Standards and codes are also continuing to tighten. ASHRAE Standard 90.1 is a benchmark for commercial building energy codes and a key basis for standards worldwide, while ASHRAE Standard 62.1 is recognized for ventilation system design and acceptable indoor air quality. And the International Energy Agency reports that digitization, including smart thermostats and smart lighting, could cut total energy use in residential and commercial buildings by as much as 10 percent between 2017 and 2040.
Going green has rewards that come with both short-term and long-term investments; immediate improvements to indoor air quality, data tracking, and diagnostics help your building run smoother and more efficiently immediately following retrofit or new construction completion. And going a step further to benchmark and certify your building provides a baseline of data and highlights areas for continued improvement and cost savings.
Ready to make your building green?
A green building journey starts with visibility: Benchmark performance, set targets, and keep improving. Are you planning a retrofit or bidding to install an automation system in a high‑performance facility? The Reliable Controls dealer network is ready to help you turn building performance into measurable results—through better data, better control, and ongoing support from people and technology you can rely on.
Are you a designer or consultant who specializes in building automation technologies? Make your life easier, save time, and save effort by registering for a consultant account on the Reliable Controls Support Center today.
