Our industry typically has a lot of discussion surrounding what type of “green features” residents want in their homes, and more specifically, how much they are willing to pay for these features. While the verdict may still somewhat be out on how much renters will actually pay for any given “green feature”, there are some…
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Energy-efficient green buildings may emit hazardous chemicals
It’s worth being informed. Perhaps a drafty living space isn’t such a bad thing after all! Read more from Reuters article on energy-efficient buildings potentially releasing hazardous chemicals here.
Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Cogeneration
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 Combined Heat and Power: “Often called cogeneration or CHP, a combined heat and power system provides both electric power and heat from a single fuel source….” Read More
Have You Switched to LED Yet?
LED technology has improved to the point where you should take another look. The prices have come down and the quality has gone up, so it is really in the “sweet spot” for an investment. And it really is a quality investment with significant value-add for your community, and not just on energy savings which…
Marketing your “Green” Efforts
We began to market our “green” efforts as we implemented them at our properties. Not because potential residents were requesting the information, but because we wanted to stand out from our competition We wanted the current and potential residents to know that we had taken steps to save them money. So, we started educating the…
Simple Tips for Energy Conservation to share with your residents!
As apartment managers, we have the opportunity to speak with our residents and provide them with information relating to conserving energy in their home. Residents can often mistakenly assume that there is nothing they can personally do to conserve energy in their home, since they do not own the apartment or the building. We have…
9 ways sustainability drives profit
Some interesting points in this article on GreenBiz: “Today most executives recognize that sustainability must be integrated into their organization’s core strategy — not to say that they necessarily understand why….” Read More
Average number of televisions in U.S. homes declining
A division of the US Dept of Energy recently posted an article citing a decline in the number of televisions per household. “Results from the U.S Energy Information Administration’s most recent Residential Energy Consumption Survey (RECS) show that an average of 2.3 televisions were used in American homes in 2015, down from an average of…
Get Your Energy Data Here
Are you interested in getting free energy data? The U.S. government produces a wealth of information on energy pricing that you can use for budgeting and projections for your portfolio. The U.S. Energy Information Association (EIA), part of the Department of Energy, provides independent statistics and analysis which is used by numerous professionals in…
Beyond Low Flow
Reducing water consumption is double barreled since it is the basis for sewer cost as well. The cheapest and easiest reduction measure is low flow aerators in bath and kitchen faucets and low flow showerheads. Checking toilets for leaks with a dye test every 6 months or when you change air filters or complete a…