Building Safety Month
Going Green and Building Strong
Each year, natural disasters cause widespread damage, destroy communities, and leave states with mountains of debris that will eventually end up in landfills. As part of Building Safety Month, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) is highlighting ways you can make your property greener and more disaster resistant.
After Hurricane Katrina, more than 44 million cubic yards of building materials and debris were disposed of in landfills, according to federal and state estimates. By making improvements to your home or business when remodeling, you can reduce its environmental impact and save money. Studies by the U.S. Department of Energy and National Institute of Building Sciences found that energy-efficiency programs can save consumers between $2 and $3 for every federal dollar spent, while every federal dollar invested in disaster mitigation saves taxpayers approximately $4 on recovery costs.
Here are a few examples of how improving energy efficiency can also boost the disaster resistance of your property, according to IBHS research.
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