Learn more about the basics of saving energy through a cool infographic from the US Dept of Energy (high resolution versions available for download on their site): “Ever since Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla battled it out during the War of the Currents in the late 19th century, electricity has been a central part of life in America. We…
Author: Kent McDonald
Kent works at RealPage and helps apartment firms reduce operating costs related to utilities. You can connect with Kent at LinkedIn.com/in/kentmcd or Twitter.com/AptsKent.
Savings Project: Lower Water Heating Temperature
Here is an interesting article from the US Dept of Energy: “Although some manufacturers set water heater thermostats at 140ºF, most households usually only require them to be set at 120ºF, which also slows mineral buildup and corrosion in your water heater and pipes. Water heated at 140ºF also poses a safety hazard—scalding….” Read More…
Benchmarking Requirements and ENERGY STAR®
Are you up to date on the mandatory energy benchmarking rules? Many cities around the country are requiring multifamily properties to report their utility usage for benchmarking purposes and many more cities are expected to follow suit. EPA created ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager®, an online tool to measure and track energy and water consumption,…
Professional Energy Audits
Here is an interesting article from the US Dept of Energy: “Professional energy assessments generally go into great detail to assess your home’s energy use. The energy auditor will do a room-by-room examination of the residence, as well as a thorough examination of past utility bills. Many professional energy assessments will include a blower door test….”…
Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Wind Power
Expand your energy knowledge through the US Dept of Energy’s series highlighting “Top Things You Didn’t Know.” Coming in at Number 10 on the list for Wind Power: “Human civilizations have harnessed wind power for thousands of years. Early forms of windmills used wind to crush grain or pump water….” Read More Kent McDonaldKent works at RealPage and helps…
Energy Saver 101 Infographic: Landscaping
Did you know that landscaping could save energy? Learn more about the basics of saving energy through a cool infographic from the US Dept of Energy (high resolution versions available for download on their site): “After a long, cold winter, Spring has finally sprung. As flowers begin to bloom and trees sprout new leaves, we are…
Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About America’s Advanced Energy Research
Expand your energy knowledge through the US Dept of Energy’s series highlighting “Top Things You Didn’t Know.” Coming in at the top of the list for Advanced Energy Research: “Modeled after the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) — the agency that brought us the GPS, the stealth fighter and computer networking — the Energy Department’s Advanced Research…
Infographic: Hot Water Heating
Learn more about the basics of saving energy through a cool infographic from the US Dept of Energy (high resolution versions available for download on their site): “We are all guilty of using a little too much hot water in our daily lives — whether it is spending an extra two minutes in the shower, leaving…
Top 9 Things You Didn’t Know About On-Site Wind Power
Expand your energy knowledge through the US Dept of Energy’s series highlighting “Top Things You Didn’t Know.” Coming in at the top of the list for On-Site or Distributed Wind Power: “Distributed wind power is used at or near where it is generated, as opposed to wind power from wholesale generation, where power is sent to consumers via…
How Do Holiday Lights Work?
Here is an interesting article from the US Dept of Energy: “We’re getting into the holiday spirit here at the Department of Energy. Our stockings are hung by the chimney with care and we have strings of lights decorating our cubicles. While stringing up lights, I wanted to learn how exactly holiday lights work. Here’s…