Super fun fact time! Do you know why revolving doors were invented? Not because they look cool, but as a way to open the doors in a building with pressurization issues. Have you ever been a building where doors slammed by themselves, or you noticed a door that seemed hard to open, or would not…
Category: Sustainability
How do I work through my utility company to determine programs that are available for my company?
How do I work through my utility company to determine programs that are available for my company? Check desireusa.org: provides listing of programs for each state and each utility company (these may be dated, but provide good guide) Check utility website: there are typically resident programs and business programs. Some utilities classify multifamily as resident…
Everything is SMALLER is Texas?? My experience living in a tiny house
When planning a recent trip to Dallas for the weekend, I was searching vacation home rental sites when I came upon something pretty cool – a tiny home made from an old shipping container! I knew I needed to stay there for the experience alone! The shipping container tiny home was lovingly called “Blue Steel”….
Smart Apartments….you need to look under the mat
Everyone is talking about Smart Apartments. Smart this. Smart that. I think that it is important to consider, when you are evaluating either building Smart Apartments or retrofitting existing apartment building that you first start by looking at your infrastructure. That means the cable wiring. How will the smart locks work? What happens if you…
Insider tips to stop trash issues from piling up
More packages mean more garbage, especially in fast-growing cities where the bulk of waste is generated, putting pressure on multifamily owners and managers to deal with rising costs and environmental impacts. While programs like ENERGY STAR® include waste-tracking tools, there is no benchmark in place by which owners can compare waste management measures. During the…
Energy cannot be created or destroyed….but it can be wasted
The first law of Thermodynamics teaches us that energy cannot be created or destroyed. While this is true, it can be wasted. I am thinking specifically of the energy used to condition (heat or cool) a room. Everyone thinks, “Heat rises.” While heat can rise, it doesn’t have to. Heat is lazy. It is going…
How do I play this Sustainability game for my company?
ROI, NOI, increased property valuation, Leed Certification, Green Loans…..how do I find my way through this for the greatest impact for my company? Evaluate what type of company you are? Build and hold, entrepreneurial, flip? How long does your company plan to hold this property? Which properties pay the highest utility bills? Who pays the…
Does it make a difference if just one person recycles?
Have you ever wondered if one person can really have an impact on the environment if they recycle? Many people tend to think that the actions of one individual do not have that much impact, and that recycling is only beneficial if everyone does it. Well, that is actually not the case. The actions of…
Not all LED bulbs are created equal-Find out why!
While LED lighting saves energy, it’s important to know that not all LED bulbs are not created equal, so knowing what to look for when making a purchase is crucial. For tips on what to look for and an overview of important the steps for completing a lighting upgrade project, read more here: http://www.breeabuildings.com/yugoofcapitalprojects/
Maintenance is the properties lead sustainability secret
Who is included in the majority of property reviews – good or bad? Properties maintenance personnel! Who at the property has more one -to-one interfaces with a resident than other property personnel? Maintenance personnel! Who does the property depend on to install low-flow aerators, check units for leaks – toilets, faucets, water heaters? Maintenance personnel!…