Weather-based irrigation controllers can use data to help save money. Read more from the EPA: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-01/documents/ws-products-minireport-irrigation-controllers.pdf Wes Winterstein
Category: Sustainability
Whole Building Data is coming to California
I know that I sound like Chicken Little…screaming about the sky falling. However, Effective January 1, 2019, you are going to need to ensure that all your apartment properties in California are loaded into Portfolio Manager. There is a hyperlink to the bill below if you really like read legislature, but the gist is that…
Walk Scores Explained
With some Internet Listing Services and property websites now including a community’s walk score, its important to understand just what this means and how it impacts the marketability of the community. There is even an app that potential renters can download that allows them to find apartments in their desired area based on walk score….
What “Green Features” actually matter to residents?
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…
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. Wes Winterstein
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…
What is a “Green Lease”?
Have you heard of a “green lease”? A green lease is just like a regular apartment lease, but it outlines specific terms that residents and landlords must adhere to surrounding the community’s sustainability policies. Green leases are now included in top multifamily industry trends. The article below shows green leases within their Top 5…
Getting Started
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…
Can we learn from the hotel industry?
I travel a lot for business, and I am often struck by the similarities between the apartment industry and the hotel industry. I’m constantly noticing every detail at hotels and I like to find new things within the hospitality industry that I can bring back and implement at the apartment communities I manage. One thing…
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…