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…
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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…
Zero Net Energy Communities – Say What?!
You may have heard the term “Zero New Energy” (ZNE) or “Net Zero” used to describe apartment communities recently. Perhaps you heard this and were thinking to yourself, “say what?!” Simply stated, a Zero Net Energy community or building is one that, on an annual basis, produces as much or more energy than it consumes….
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…
INTERRUPTIBLE SERVICE FOR GAS HEAT
There are gas boilers that are installed in buildings that have a back-up system (either oil or electric) which allow you to pay a lower rate than general service. These are classed as interruptible with your local utility (IS or ISS). These interruptions often take place when the temperatures drop to single digits and the…
Energy Saver 101 Infographic: Home 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): this one is on home heating. Read More
Tying Sustainability and Efficiency Into Daily Operations
As industry professionals responsible for managing utility programs and ancillary services departments, we all tend to think about “big picture” and “high level” items. However, it is important to consider what our sites are doing on a daily operational level to support and reinforce some of the larger sustainability and cost savings initiatives that we…
Challenges in Older Buildings – water usage
One of the biggest challenges that I face is the water usage at my properties. My company’s business plan is to purchase older garden-style construction in the Mid-Atlantic region. This poses very different scenarios from companies that are developing new assets. A development company is able to install water saving equipment using the latest technology….
Top 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Electric Vehicles
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 Electric Vehicles: “Did you know that the average American’s daily round-trip commute is less than 30 miles? With many electric vehicles having a range of more than 70 miles a charge, they…