Consumer’s Energy, Michigan’s largest energy provider, serves almost 7 million residents. It closed seven coal plants in 2016 and plans to close the other five by 2040. Renewable energy would increase from 11 to 43 percent by 2040, and add solar, wind, and battery storage. They also expect to decrease carbon emissions by 80 percent….
Category: Sustainability
Making the Move-In and Move-Out Cycle More Efficient
Most apartment communities will experience roughly 50% turnover each year. The constant cycle of residents moving-in and moving-out is something we all deal with in the multifamily industry. Here is one tip for helping make the process a little more convenient and efficient for our residents. A community in Rockville, MD recently started a program…
Energy thieves, identifying overlooked suspects
You’ve looked at your lighting, you’ve looked at your HVAC, you have even looked at your building envelope. How is it possible to still have high energy use when you have covered these important areas. The suspects might be hiding in plain sight. By taking understanding their role and taking a few easy steps, you…
Regional electricity generation and wholesale price forecasts
Are you responsible for procuring electricity in a deregulated market or for forecasting electricity prices? If so, the following article from Energy Information Administration may come in handy. Check it out before summer cooling season arrives! https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=42355 Kent McDonaldKent works at RealPage and helps apartment firms reduce operating costs related to utilities. You can connect…
EIA forecasts natural gas inventories will reach record levels later this year
Could the expected increase of supply of natural gas be good for utility expenses this year? Check out the following article for more details about the prediction from the US Energy Information Administration. https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=42935 Kent McDonaldKent works at RealPage and helps apartment firms reduce operating costs related to utilities. You can connect with Kent at…
What is Earth Hour?
Most of us are familiar with Earth Day, but what about Earth Hour? Each March, millions of people across the world participate in Earth Hour. To participate, people are turning off the lights in their homes and businesses and taking part in the world’s largest grassroots movement for the environment. Earth Hour began as a…
EIA revises global liquid fuels demand growth down because of the coronavirus
This anticipated decline in liquid fuels demand is largely focused on petroleum, but the supply, demand, and price of oil often drives price changes to natural gas. Could this have an indirect impact on energy prices for multifamily? For more details, see the following article: https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=42855 Kent McDonaldKent works at RealPage and helps apartment firms…
When Conservation Efforts Backfire
I was at the airport this morning and made my routine stop at the ladies’ room before boarding my flight. As I wheeled my bag into the stall with me, the toilet flushed. As I sat down, it flushed again. When I stood up, it flushed for a third time (this one was appreciated). I…
Resident Gifts that Help the Environment
If you have ever spent countless hours trying to come up with a good move-in or renewal gift for your residents, that won’t break the bank or be completely cheesy, I suspect you are in good company. Many management companies want to provide something thoughtful yet useful as a token of appreciation to their residents,…
Green Financing Provides Resident Benefits
Fannie Mae’s green financing was lunched over nine years ago and over 550,000 multifamily units have been built or retrofitted under the program. Fannie Mae studied the impact on residents and found them to be significant. Residents annual utility expenses decreased by 10% or $145 on average. That may not seem like much, but it…