Perhaps a tired issue, but still is a tough one: “How to begin” the conservation efforts. The task of harnessing all of our properties utilities – measuring, reducing, continuing the process, is daunting. What are my criteria? Well, I want anything that will make an impact immediately and over the long haul, save money, have…
Category: Prices/Rate
Gas Pricing Update
Gas pricing has been up and down over the last year. Gas hit near a historic low in March of 2016 $.16 per therm. This is the lowest price since 1999. It has increased to $.40 per therm as of December 2016. Since the December high, pricing has come back down again to around $.25…
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…
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…
Submetering: A Proven Conservation Measure
If your property currently includes water and sewer in the rent or uses a flat-fee billing, one of the best conservations measures available is to implement either a RUBS or submeter billing program. Studies and experience has shown that residents will conserve water when presented with an individual bill. You can expect savings of 15-30%…
Understanding New Markets
What do you do when your company decides to enter a new market? Depending on the market, you may start by panicking. Once you regain your composure, it’s time to get to work. Gathering data on local billing regulations is a must. If you are buying existing assets, you can’t assume the previous owner was…
LEED Certification in Multifamily – Does it matter?
For commercial buildings, studies have shown that LEED buildings have lower operating costs and better air quality than non-LEED certified buildings. For multifamily properties, the LEED certification process is a new trend and seems to be driven by market conditions or client demand. Millenials make up a huge part of the apartment industry and are…
Benchmarking Water Bills – Are water saving retro fits worth the cash out lay when residents pay the bill?
Benchmarking your average water bills to other communities in your zip code area is an excellent way to determine your competitiveness. Resident retention can be directly tied to many metrics at a community and the price of water per month is definitely at the top of the list in many markets. Quantifying a retrofit program…
What’s All the Gas About?
As we are all aware, utilities continue to be a challenge from the purchasing of commodities in deregulated states to budgeting. Since gas prices have continued to fall, many of us are investigating future pricing as a way to ensure our low pricing into the future. It is very important through 2016 to compare your…
Energy Price Analysis with Candlestick Charts
Have you heard about “technical analysis” with regard to energy prices but never really knew how to get started? One way to ease into this type of analysis, especially if you are a visual learner is through Candlestick Charts. The following article from StockCharts.com provides an introduction to the topic. The first few paragraphs provide a good overview…