GOING GREEN

Regardless of your position on climate change and the Green movement, Going Green can mean savings to the property owner.

Join AW Warner in our Going Green discussions and lets start putting green into the property owner’s wallet while doing something good for the environment.  If you are a manufacturer of goods or services and would like to spread the green message, please email us at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  

AWW provides information on cost saving and remodeling projects for the home owner.  Join AW Warner at FACEBOOK and become a fan to get regular updates.  

Post by AWarner- AW Warner Management on February 01, 2011

Going Green- 10 Year Cost

When choosing between appliances with similar prices, capacities and features, energy efficiency should be the deciding factor. Even though an energy efficient unit may be higher priced, it may the best buy. High efficiency appliances cost less to operate and can pay back the extra initial cost many times over during their lifetimes.  All room air conditioners bear bright yellow Energy Guide labels which provide information on energy efficiency. Energy Guide labels are mandated by Congress as part of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act of 1975. The label displays an energy efficiency rating (EER) in large black numbers. The higher the rating, the more efficient the appliance. Units with an EER of 9.0 or above are considered very efficient. 

Post by AWarner- AW Warner Management on Janaury 01, 2011

Going Green-The Right Thing to Do

People ask why we at AW Warner continue to tout green property management. I must admit that at times like these where rentals, vacancies are high, rents are dropping and it’s tough to find qualified applicants it’s not easy continuing to do the right thing. But gaining an advantage in this business climate is most important and going green is a point of difference. As Property Managers, we emphasize the savings of green management.  If tenants have a choice of two properties in the same area and all other things created equal, then tenants will chose the house that will cost them less per month in utilities due to water and energy efficient upgrades.  If the property is near green areas or community parks, these properties have advantages over other properties that have no such amenities.  There are 25 million asthma sufferers that are sensitive to high VOC environment.  This is why AW Warner always advoates the use of low-VOC paints and sealants as we care about your residents and their loved ones as if they were our family.  We also advocate and have sistered with green pest control companies.  The idea of spraying dangerous chemicals and pesticides around our children is not something that I would not allow around my children, grandchildren, and pets so we are sure to have our Property Owners understand the options. 

Few property managers tout the benefits of green property management but going green does make your rentals stand out from the crowd and attract higher quality applicants. We at AW Warner will always have the personal satisfaction of knowing that we are doing the right thing.

Post by AWarner- AW Warner Management on December 14, 2010

Going Green-Saving Water a Double Win

Here is something Green to think about; did you know that water consumption is directly related to energy? The EPA estimates that 3% of the national energy consumption is used for drinking/ waste water services. This represents 45 million tons of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. If just 1% of the households were retrofitted with water saving devices, it would save enough electricity every year to avoid 80,000 tons of greenhouse emissions. Just another example of Going Green is a double win, we save money and the environment at the same time.

Post by AWarner- AW Warner Management on December 1, 2010

Going Green - Green Clean

We all like clean homes but cleaning…well that is another story. We might be surprised if we ever read the labels of our household cleaners. The mixture of hazardous substances we use to clean our homes are often alarming think about what happens when these chemicals end up in the public treatment plants. Detergents for washing clothes and dishes often contain phosphates, bleach and the corrosives that pollute the groundwater. Aerosols generally contain flammable toxins. We lock this stuff under the sink to keep them from our children but we often don't consider what they may be doing to our own bodies or the environment. Just because these chemicals end up down the drain and out of sight, it’s not out of mind. It’s a reality that most of the water that we drink has been drank before, sent to a treatment plant, and then treated again for drinking. Most of our ground water contains a variety of harmful compounds that we trust will be neutralized or removed by your municipality.
Keeping our homes clean and avoiding harmful chemical don't have to be competing priorities. Some regular household items can be safe and will help us to keep our house clean. Here are some green tips for cleaning. Instead of using a standard drain cleaner that contain a host of nasty stuff, try pouring a quarter cup of baking soda down the clogged drain, followed by a half cup of vinegar. Close the drain tightly until fizzing stops, then flush with boiling water. Not only will this help keep your drains flowing, but they will smell better also. A good glass cleaner is a half and half mixture of white vinegar and water. For those that have pets, baking soda and cornstarch are both good carpet green deodorizers. Mold cleanup is a snap with a mixture of lemon juice and salt. A good oven cleaner is a paste of baking soda, salt, and hot water. As of late, it seems that everyone has a green product. Just because a label states that it is green, doesn’t make it so. Start reading labels and lets all be more informed on what we are buying so that we have a place that our children and our children’s children can live.

Post by AWarner- AW Warner Management on November 9, 2010

GOING GREEN - INSULATE

It use to be when we thought of insulation, we thought “Pink”.  Things have changed.  Now available or some other insulations that are friendlier to the environment.  Now there are spray foams and cellulous.  Cellulose is made from recycled paper making this option really attractive.  Insulating not only can improve your heating and cooling bill by 40% but also if you can complete this before the end of 2010, there is a $1,500 tax credit awaiting. To do an insulation job, it will cost $3.0m-$6.0m but if you are handy, you can divide that by three. Also consider the purchase of a heat-loss detector.  There are various brands but one can be found for less than $60.  A heat loss detector will help you identify heat or cooling loss points so that you can fill the cracks bringing significant savings to the home owner.  I have said it many times, Going green….saving the environment and putting money back into the home owner’s pocket, what a great combination.  

Guest Post by Deb Dieatrick- AW Warner Management on October 9, 2010

GOING GREEN-EVERYONE CAN HELP

Going Green, everyone can have an impact.  Everything we do can potentially affect the environment.  Here are a few household ideas that everyone can participate in.  The first thing: Styrofoam.  As anyone in my family knows, I can’t stand this stuff.  It just gives me the willies.  But did you know that Styrofoam is not biodegradable.  This stuff will never go away; it will never breakdown; if you were to put some in the landfill and come back in 100 years, you could likely reuse it.  Instead of using styrofoam use glass and metal containers instead.  The next thing is something that I have written about in the past, buy fluorescent light bulbs (CFL).  It just makes no sense nowadays not to purchase the old style round bulbs.  CFLs use 75% less energy and they last longer than the old bulbs.  Next, Go Green with the cleaning products that you use around the house. Many household cleaning products contain some pretty harsh things.  Rather than purchasing products with scary warning labels, try to buy natural cleaners. Not only are many of these products whose main ingredients are baking soda, vinegar and salt better for the environment, they are healthier for you.  Next…batteries.  There are more than 15 billion batteries manufactured each year.  Did you ever wonder what is inside a battery and where they end up?   Batteries that get thrown in the trash go to the landfills where they eventually start to break down and can have a serious impact on the ground water. Whenever possible, consider using rechargeable batteries.  You will likely save some green when you do.  Now paper is a renewable resource. But many of us tend to use more paper products than what we really need.  Paper towels and napkins are particularly wasteful.  A better alternative is to use cloth napkins, rags, sponges, or towels to clean up messes. These few things everyone can do.  So the next time that you think that you can’t help and there is nothing that you can do, think about these few easy things. 

As the Director of AW Warner Management I ensure that the property management services that we provide exceed your expectations.  By staying focused on the little things and keeping in mind that we are here for our customers we will continue to grow our business.  Not only do I have the responsibility of keeping AW Warner on point for Going Green, it is important that I do my part so that I can leave this world a better place for my family.   

Guest Post by Becky Dresser Pitch A Penny on October 13, 2010

GOING GREEN-ENERGY EFFICIENT POOL PUMPS

In July of 2010, new legislation on pool pumps will take effect.  Florida has changed the criteria for pool pumps and water heaters to provide pools with energy-conserving measures.  Accordance with Sections 403.9 through 403.9.3 of the Florida building code: 

“Pool pump motors shall not be split-phase, shaded pole, or capacitor start-induction run types. Residential pool pumps and pool pumps motors with a total horsepower of 1 HP or more shall have the capability of operating at two or more speeds with a low speed having a rotation rate that is no more than one-half of the motor's maximum rotation rate. Residential pool pump motor controls shall have the capability of operating the pool pump at a minimum of two speeds. The default circulation speed shall be the residential filtration speed, with a higher speed override capability being for a temporary period not to exceed one normal cycle or 120 minutes, whichever is less. Except that circulation speed for solar pool heating systems shall be permitted to run at higher speeds during periods of usable solar heat gain.”

Additionally:

“Natural gas pool heaters shall not be equipped with constantly burning pilots. Heat pump pool heaters shall have a coefficient of performance at low temperature of not less than 4.0. The thermal efficiency of gas fired pool heaters and oil-fired pool heaters shall not be less than 78 percent. All pool heaters shall have a readily accessible on-off switch that is mounted outside the heater and that allows shutting off the heater without adjusting the thermostat setting”.

What does all of this mean for you, the homeowner?  In an effort to increase the efficiencies of the pool pumps and motors, beginning July 1, 2011, any new pump purchase will require the homeowner to purchase either one of the more efficient variable speed pumps or a motor with two or more speeds.  The price tag for these pumps has not yet been defined but as with any of the new green technology the energy savings could be substantial. The new variable speed pump manufacturers are saying that there could be energy and operating costs savings of up to 90%.  In South Florida this means a savings of a whopping $620-$1,360 in utility costs annually. In regards to pool heaters, any new installations will need to meet new efficiency ratings that save 20% on energy costs. This 20% savings is on top of the 20% from the pool pumps. These new heaters will require controls that require accessible on-and-off switches,  new energy coefficient ratings and timers similar to the pump motors that allow for units to turn on and off without homeowner’s intervention. At this time, it is not understood if the older equipment will be grandfathered but with the amount of energy savings, your return will significant and should be well worth the costs.

Becky Dresser is Owner an Operator of Pinch A Penny Pool and Spa in St Lucie and St Lucie West, Florida.  Pinch A Penny is the leading brand of swimming pool care stores, offering superior swimming pool products and supplies and professional pool repair service. If it is about pools, we are there for you.  For more about Pinch A Penny and store locator visit us at www.pinchapenny.com

Guest Post by Yanette Bravo- SimBio USA Inc. October 06, 2010

Going Green- One's Person's Trash is Another's Treasure

We can all define waste differently.  As it is said, “one person’s trash is another’s treasure”.   However you define or develop your personal views on this subject, statistical data available on the amount of trash/waste that is disposed of annually, just in the United States alone, confirms that waste is an issue that must be addressed.  We can probably all agree that waste has become a problem in our society.  The question is, can we, as a nation, start to address the effect that waste and its disposal has on our environment and ultimately on every one of our citizens.

As a nation we dispose of more than 200 million tons of garbage annually.  In 2008, Americans generated about 250 million tons of trash.  Per Environment Protection Agency (EPA), only 83 million tons of the waste was recycled or composted, equivalent to a 33.2 % recycling rate. Where does this garbage go?  Most of it goes to our landfills and material recovery facilities.  The United States has approximately 2122 landfills, 82,684 material recovery facilities and 8,659 recycling programs (EPA, MSW2008 datasheet).  Based on the US population of 302 million, only 59% of the US population is served by the recycling programs available.  Although the number of US landfills decreased since 1960, the size of the landfills increased. How many more landfills will we need in the future if we keep our consumption levels at the current rate and are not mindful of where our waste products go?

Many of the most harmful waste products, e.g. electronic waste, are shipped out to foreign countries. More than 2 million computers are disposed of annually.  Sending the worst of the waste for someone else to dispose of is not a good solution and much less a good moral choice.  The health hazard for those tasked with burning the wasteful equipment cannot be ignored.  As Americans we can do better. 

If you are asking yourself, want can we do to solve this waste problem there are small, but significant steps that can be taken.  We could stop being so consumer driven, but most importantly demand that manufacturers be mindful and use non-hazardous material on the products produced.  We can also demand that our government require that life cycle assessments be made on the products manufactured in the USA, as well as any products imported.  This should not be an imposition on American manufacturers only.  We all know US manufacturers need as much assistance as possible to be competitive in today’s world market.  The requirements to be more responsible with the materials used would be imposed on all manufacturers wanting to sell in the American market – thus, making it an even playing field for all.

We must be mindful of the products we consume, what they are made from and how they are disposed.  How many more landfills will we need by 2030?  How much more harm should the environment and our soils take?   The answers may be hard to accept, but the positive side is that something can still be done.  Start by reading labels, researching the companies that manufacture the products you buy, request that your local markets and businesses use earth-friendlier products, voice your concern to your local government and sanitation department.  Contact your local officials and ask what efforts are being taken to improve local sanitation legislation and address waste and recycling issues and concerns.  Lastly, do your part in your daily activities.  It may sound like just a slogan, but Reduce, Re-use, and Recycle is not a bad start.

We are a distributors and re-sellers of "Green" and alternative  products for the food service industry and for the property management  industry.  Are products are biodegradable and/or compostable, 
including our garbage liners.  We also carry a janitorial/cleaning  line -- Simple Green -- that are non-toxic. Please visit us on our website at www.SimBioUSA.com and view our earth-friendly products and learn about and how to join groups that are working to help address waste issues in our nation.

Guest Post by Liz Karschner SEPCO - Solar Electric Power Company

Going Green- Solar Lighting and Remote Power

Most people are familiar with solar panels to power a home or building, or used to heat water, but many people overlook the multitude of other uses for solar. Solar can be used to light up a pathway, light up the building’s parking lot, or even be used to light entire streets and highways. Each light can be powered by a single solar array or you can string multiple lights together and run them on a single larger solar array. Whatever the application or need, solar can be used to power it.

Solar can also be used to power devices such as cameras, WiFi systems, and other devices. These devices can stand alone from the regular power grid, or be integrated with the grid as a backup system. A good example is using cameras at a construction site while the property is not being worked on for monitoring to deter theft. Once the project is completed, the cameras can be moved to the next location.

Solar lighting has many applications as well. Parking lots, roadways, signs, billboards, practically everything can be lit up using solar power. The solar lights can be a green alternative to new lighting projects or retrofitted into existing lighting applications to reduce power consumption and cost. They can be customized to the customer’s desired lighting levels and fixture requirements. Standard Cobrahead fixtures to architecturally designed fixtures all can be retrofitted to utilize solar energy.

For the next project you may come across, look into utilizing solar to power the need. No matter what the application, there is always a green alternative that will not only help the earth, but will also provide a free solution for many years.

Solar Electric Power Company (SEPCO) is the pioneer in solar lighting and remote solar power systems and was started in 1994. Founded by Steve Robbins, who designed and patented the world's first commercial solar street light, SEPCO has been providing solar lighting and solar power solutions to customers world wide. SEPCO manufactures a full line of high performance off-grid solar lighting and solar power systems for lower power applications that feature rugged commercial-grade construction combined with unparalleled quality, performance, reliability, 25+ year system life expectancy and the

best warranty in the business. We are helping the world go green by taking

the lights off the grid. You can fins us on www.sepconet.com    

Posted by AW Warner Septemeber 23, 2010

Going Green- Let Nature Save you Money

Let nature help keep down your future cooling bills. Trees can shade your home from hot summer sunlight, saving you money on cooling costs. Follow these valuable tree-planting hints:

Plant shade trees on the southern and western sides of your home. Trees placed on the south and west side of a house, and no more than 60 feet away from the actual building, could lower a homeowner’s utility bills by about 5 percent between May and September. However, trees on the north side actually raised their bills by 1 percent because on the north side of your house, trees act more like blankets than shade. They slow radiant cooling process of the house at night.  So they cost you some cooling after the sun goes down, without sparing you some heat during the day.

Consult a professional landscaper or nursery about the right kind of trees for your needs and for proper planting instructions. Don’t plant any trees where they might eventually interfere with overhead power lines. It is very important in Florida not to plant any tree that is not indigenousness to Florida.  

Before you dig make sure you locate your electrical supply, lawn sprinklers, telephone and cable lines.  

Posted September 10, 2010 by AW Warner

Going Green- Standby Heat Loss

By eliminating stand-by heat loss, which is commonly associated with traditional hot water heater, overall energy usage can be reduced from 20 to 30 percent. Let’s just do some math.  If your electric bill is $200 per month, saving 30% means you put $720 back in your pocket.  

If every tank water heater was replaced with a tankless water heater, North American society alone could annually save 290 million gallons of fuel oil, 164 million gallons of propane, and 6 billion hours of kilowatt electricity.

Levels of pollution in the U.S continue to climb and since 25 percent of our nation's CO2 emissions come from burning fossil fuel burning doesn't it make sense to switch to more energy efficient appliances and preserve our environment. Switching to more energy-efficient appliances will decrease the demand for energy, save the Property Owner some money, and break our dependency on foreign oil. 

Posted August 30, 2010 by AW Warner

Going Green-Adding Insulation

Insulation keeps your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Insulation save energy and saving energy reduces our carbon footprint.  There are several different kinds of insulation — fiberglass, cellulose, rigid foam board, and spray foam.  When insulation is correctly installed with air sealing, each type of insulation can deliver comfort and lower energy bills during the hottest and coldest times of the year. Insulation performance is measured by R-value. The higher the R-value the more in… the more energy savings. The current recommendation for most attics is R-38.  Insulation works best when air is not moving through or around it so it is very important to seal air leaks before installing insulation to ensure that you get the best performance from the insulation so be sure to seal the insulation.  There is big savings when sealing the duct work of your central heating and A/C system.  20% of the air that moves with a duct system is lost to leaks and poorly sealed connections, 

Posted August 24, 2010 by AW Warner

Going Green- Service Life Costs

When they flick off light switches or ease off the gas pedal, many Americans feel they are doing their part to save energy consumers but many also be ignoring larger changes such as the purchase of more efficient appliances or vehicles ignoring the service life cost equation (the cost of operating plus cost to operate for the life of the product). Don’t under estimate the cost of our behavior.  Our behavior such as setting the thermostats at 77, hot water heaters at 120 etc does have a major impact on our energy usage but unless we change the game with newer more efficient equipment, we will not see the real benefits that are available.  Recently I have parked my gasoline hogging SUV and have driven my newer 35 gpm smaller car. Yes, I can save some fuel with the way I drive and making sure that the vehicle is in optimum running condition but there was no way that I was going to see 35 mpg with the SUV.  Home energy consumption is the same.  We will not see the impact on the operating costs and energy usage until we change the game with more efficient appliances and or start using alternative energy.   We tend to do what is cheaper and easier at the moment and not looking ahead and determining the service life cost. 

Posted August 23 by AW Warner

Going Green- A Green Property Manager

It seems as though everyone is talking green nowadays.  The term green property management tries to strike a balance of human needs with ecological concerns.  Property managers can have an effect the environment and the quality of life for residents.  Buildings may use up to 40% of the world’s energy and produce 35% of CO2 emissions, consume16% of fresh water and create 40% of municipal landfill waste.

There are a handful of energy savings techniques that may reduce energy consumption.  These tactics include lowering hot water heaters to 120 degrees, insulating hot water tanks and hot water pipes.  Green property mangers can have a dramatic impact on the heating and air conditioning energy consumption by insulating attics and walls, ensuring that doors and windows are weather-stripped and caulked.  Lighting costs are affected by changing the lighting to solar, CFL, and LED.  In South Florida water expenses are very high, maybe some of the highest in the country.  Green property managers have their bathrooms on their properties installed with faucet .75 gpm aerators and 1.75 gpm low flow shower heads and 1.6 gpf toilets.  Dishwashers are an Energy Star models and lawn sprinklers use rain sensor controls or landscaping with plants that require less water.  

Property managers are always evaluating repairs versus replacement, but the green property manager chooses building materials that are green friendly.  Green property managers always consider cost but there are other considerations such as durability, service life, performance, toxicity, and indoor air quality.   Indoor air quality has become very important nowadays since we spend as much as 90% of our day indoors.  A general rule if a product emits a chemical smell, it likely contains volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Chinese drywall is an example of a building product unfortunately found in South Florida.  When concerned with VOCs one must keep an eye for low-VOC paints, sealers and caulks.  When its time to replace carpeting, the carpeting should have the Carpet and Rug Institute Green Label. Green property managers avoid pesticides and toxic cleaning chemicals.  Green Property Managers know how to take advantage of local, state and federal programs that may include free energy audits, etc. and how to market those green properties giving the property owner an edge over the competitors. Green property managers do not conduct magic, but when it comes to play the utility bills or fill a vacancy, you may think they do.   

Posted August 17, 2010

Going Green- CFL Bulbs

Did you know that the traditional light bulb actually hasn’t changed much over the years, and varies very little from the early light bulbs? At one time, the bringing of light into a household was a major step forward and the use of electricity to light a house was highly prized. Over the years our usage pattern of electric lighting has changed. Today it is very much taken for granted and the amount of energy used in lighting has increased significantly in recent years. Although usage of lighting has changed, the technology hasn’t and the incandescent bulbs that were invented over a century ago are still commonly used today. These bulbs are very inefficient, converting only about 5 percent of the energy they receive into light. The good news is that there is a real positive alternative to old style incandescent light bulbs. New technologies have resulted in energy saving light bulbs, known as CFL’s. CFL stands for compact fluorescent lamp and these bulbs work in a similar manner to traditional fluorescent bulbs. Not only are CFL bulbs as reliable as traditional light bulbs, they are also longer lasting AND use less energy. Energy Star qualified CFL bulbs use about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer, making a significant contribution to an energy efficient home. This double whammy has a positive effect on the household budget and significant savings are reported when the move to eco friendly bulbs is made – a household could save $30 over the course of every light bulb’s life.   Just for the heck of it, I counted the number of light bulbs in my house today and found 55 light bulbs. This was way more than I had anticipated. Now taking the $30.00 savings for each bulb, I should see a savings of $1650.00!! Going Green and saving money. A double win.

Posted August 13, 2010

 Going Green- Recycle Computers

Computers are highly complex machines that should not just be thrown away with dinner leftovers. They are made with heavy metals that are highly toxic in the environment. So guess where the toxic metals go when you through them in the trash?  That’s right…in the environment.  When computers are destroyed or thrown away, these metals leech into the soil and atmosphere where they are absorbed by people and animals. Heavy metals cause a variety pf aliments, ranging from migraines to mental retardation. Many of the metals, like lead, have no way of escaping the body once absorbed. So, why throw them out when it is becoming increasingly easier to recycle computers? Unfortunately, finding a new home for your machine isn’t that simple.

Computers manufacturers need to do their part. Some of the major manufacturers have agreed to remove eliminate polyvinyl plastic and brominated flame retardants from new computers. Eliminating this nasty stuff in the first place makes the products more eco-friendly.  The first step towards recycling is to check out http://earth911.com/.  This site has a helpful zip code search function that finds nearby recycling programs for electronics. If you cant find a place to recycle how about trading in your computer. There are some manufacturers that will take a trade in.  You are likely not going to get much money but at least will keep it out of the landfill. Another idea is to donate your computer.  Many of the Goodwill stores take computers as donations. The next time it is time to purchase a new family computer, don’t forget about trying to get rid of the old one.  Lets work to keep them out of the landfills. 

Posted August 09, 2010 by AW Warner

Going Green- Energy Star

I am sure that you have seen he Energy Star label, but have you ever stopped to understand what it means?  Energy Star is a symbol developed by the government that certifies that the product that carries this label meets certain energy-efficient criteria.

The reason the government created this symbol was to reduce greenhouse gases caused by the inefficient use of energy and to make it easy for the consumer to find energy efficient products.  

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes specifications based on products that deliver consumer demanded performance with increased energy efficiency that would contribute significant energy savings nationwide.  In most cases one could expect that the cost of the product is higher than products without the Energy Star label but we can also expect to recover that extra cost in reduced operating costs in a reasonable length of time.  From time to time the EPA changes it’s specifications for the Energy Star label.  These changes are based upon technology gains of the product or by a change to the EPA emission regulations.  

 Posted August 05, 2010 by AW Warner

Going Green- LED Lighting

The LED light bulb is a super efficient and is the light bulb of the future but unfortunately the price has made it prohibitive.  A couple of years ago, a 60 watt equivalent LED bulb cost $90.  Now they are down in the $35 range, still too high but coming down in the right direction.  In the pipeline are 40 watt equivalent bulbs that will use only 9 watts and will last 17 years.  Costs are projected to be $50.  Hopefully we see the phenomena that we see with electronic gadgets where when something new hits the market, price is high and the price gradually drop until it because fairly common place.  

It has been rumored that by industry experts say that once LEDs hit $20, utilities could give them away to customers because the energy saved would cover the cost of the bulbs and would allow them to postpone bringing on new power plants.  It is highly likely that the light bulb as we know it will cease to exist in the not so distant future….and for all the right reasons.  

Posted August 3, 2010 by AW Warner

Going Green- Everyone Wins

Experts have predicted that home sales are down 40% from the early 2008 days.  Unfortunately nobody needs to remind of this because when we see our annual tax bills.  We see our investments decline and at the same time usually don’t see a relief on the taxes.

Good thing we have Going Green.  Ask yourself the next time you have a remodeling project what can be done to make the remodeling project greener.  When you have two properties for rent and one has had some smart eco-renovations the property with the renovations has an advantage. Green remodeling ideas can help you slash the monthly energy bills, reduce your water usage, clean up your indoor air quality, and leave the planet a better place for our children and our children’s children. As a property owner, you can provide an energy-efficient property with reduced utility costs and have an advantage on the competition. With energy-efficient properties, the property owner can then maximize their return on investment with a shorter vacancy time and higher rental income.  Everyone wins.

Posted July 31, 2010 by AW Warner

Going Green- Staying Cool in the Pool

One benefit of owning a pool is the chance to relax outdoors and stay cool. Maintaining that fun in the sun can cost you some green. Here are some green tips for those pool owners.

Cover Your Pool-If you heat your pool, it is estimated that you can save 50 to 70 percent in heating costs. Also, covering your pool when it is not being used reduces water evaporation saving on your water bill.

Variable speed pool pump- Single-speed pumps use the most energy because they are of more horsepower that what is needed for the task. Variable-speed pumps can be dialed down to run longer, slower and more efficiently, thus using less electricity.  The next time you purchase a pool pump, look for a variable speed motor.

Choose Cartridge Filters-Pumps don’t have to work as hard to push water through cartridge filters and they can be cleaned less frequently, conserving water.

Automated Control System -Automated systems operate everything from pumps and heaters to pool sweeps and lighting. There are various systems but I suggest that in the winter you set to run the pumps 20% less than what you run in the summer.  Having your pump on for over 7 hours is a waste of electricity.

Replace Your Pool Lights with LEDs and solar lighting. LED lights consume 75 percent less energy than traditional bulbs and last 25 times as long. The use of solar lights can not only make your pool look great at night, but also it makes it very efficient.  There is nothing like free lighting.

Going Green and staying cool. What a combination.

Posted July 29, 2010 by AW Warner

Going Green- Cleaning Chemicals

We all like clean homes but cleaning…well that is another story.  We might be surprised if we ever read the labels of our household cleaners.  The mixture of hazardous substances we use to clean our homes are often alarming think about what happens when these chemicals end up in the public treatment plants.  Detergents for washing clothes and dishes often contain phosphates, bleach and the corrosives that pollute the groundwater. Aerosols generally contain flammable toxins. We lock this stuff under the sink to keep them from our children but we often don't consider what they may be doing to our own bodies or the environment.  Just because these chemicals end up down the drain and out of sight, it’s not out of mind. It’s a reality that most of the water that we drink has been drank before, sent to a treatment plant, and then treated again for drinking.  Most of our ground water contains a variety of harmful compounds that we trust will be neutralized or removed by your municipality.

Keeping our homes clean and avoiding harmful chemical don't have to be competing priorities. Some regular household items can be safe and will help us to keep our house clean.  Here are some green tips for cleaning.  Instead of using a standard drain cleaner that contain a host of nasty stuff, try pouring a quarter cup of baking soda down the clogged drain, followed by a half cup of vinegar. Close the drain tightly until fizzing stops, then flush with boiling water.  Not only will this help keep your drains flowing, but they will smell better also.  A good glass cleaner is a half and half mixture of white vinegar and water. For those that have pets, baking soda and cornstarch are both good carpet green deodorizers. Mold cleanup is a snap with a mixture of lemon juice and salt. A good oven cleaner is a paste of baking soda, salt, and hot water. As of late, it seems that everyone has a green product.  Just because a label states that it is green, doesn’t make it so.  Start reading labels and lets all be more informed on what we are buying so that we have a place that our children and our children’s children can live.

Posted July 25, 2010 by AW Warner

Gong Green- Staying Cool in the Summer

Regardless of what your position on climate change and the whole green movement, going green means savings to the Property Owner and to Tenant. A partnership between the Property Owner and Tenant is very important.  The Property Owner needs to provide the education and an energy efficient living space and the Tenant needs to use the space wisely.  Efficient living spaces will give the Owner an edge of the other properties. Working with Tenants to reduce a property’s environmental impact will help to reduce your operating costs, keep the rent low and help save Mother Earth for future generations.  Here are some Going Green tips for the dog days of summer where we can stay cool and still save some green.

Dusty A/C filters reduce air flow. Keep a supply of filters and exam them monthly.  Better yet….furnish the property with a reusable filter, which can be easily cleaned by vacuuming out or rinsing in water.  Tenants often are happy to change them and everyone can save up to 15% on their electric bill.

Encourage and educate the tenants to set the thermostat to 78 F. Also remember to set the temperature in the common areas to 78F. Just by setting the thermostat down to 72 F from 78F increases cooling costs by as much as 45%.  Turn up the thermostat when you are not at the house and back down to be more comfortable at night. Better yet, install a digital thermostat that can be programmed once and never thought about again.

Be sure to have ceiling fans available in all the rooms.  The air movement helps air circulation and makes it feel cooler without having to lower the thermostat.

Do not position heat-producing appliances, such as televisions or lamps, near the thermostat. The heat from the appliances causes the thermostat to read high and cause the A/C unit to run longer than necessary.  

Keep sun out of the house with louvers or awnings on the outside of your windows, or draw draperies, blinds, or shades indoors. Keeping storm windows closed is like having another layer of insulation on your windows.  

A key to reducing A/C costs during hot summer days is to limit the amount of heat generated during the day when temperatures are at their highest. Keep lights off when rooms are not in use. Lights generate heat that makes your air conditioner run more. Try to wash and dry clothes, iron and cook in the morning or later in the evening. Use microwave ovens and patio barbecues for cooking.

Insulation is not only about making sure your attic has some pink stuff, its about making sure that you save green. When you insulate, we also need to make sure that you have insulation in the ceiling rafters, crawls spaces, basement walls and floors, exterior walls. Insulating inside walls around light switches and wall receptacles will provide big savings. Make sure that your A/C vents are well insulated and sealed.  Make sure that doors and windows have weather stripping. If you see daylight around your doors and windows, then you are wasting energy.

Going Green is a partnership between the Property Owner and the Tenant.  The Owner needs to provide good clean efficient living spaces and the Tenants need to use those spaces wisely.  With education everyone wins…Owner, Tenant, and Mother Earth.  That is what Going Green is all about.