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The challenges the recession presents for facilities managers are multiple and continuing to grow. Building engineers and real estate agents have also seemingly become interchangeable in owners’ minds, as economics dominate hiring and retention decisions. For the superintendent accustomed to keeping the building humming, the leasing, sales and paperwork expectations can be overwhelming. For the [...]
Americans are consuming less energy since the recession imploded upon us, but are we really changed consumers?
In the second part of our interview, veteran asset manager Will Clark again focuses on multifamily operations and sustainability and shares his expertise and experience with a refreshing candor. His ideas and solutions are practical, profitable and based on a valuable, real world view.
Architects, engineers and builders would agree that buildings function best when the design team incorporates occupant comfort as its priority.
If you go to this link on the ENERGY STAR website you will find that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) list the following building types as qualifying for the ENERGY STAR New Homes certification programs:
All residential units in multifamily buildings three stories and under.
Units in four- and five-story [...]
The Department of Energy (DOE) upgraded its Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) with new rules for public housing, assisted multi-family and Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) buildings. If included on the list published by the DOE, the property is identified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as already having met the [...]
Perhaps a better approach than wagging fingers at iinadvertent energy hogs is to make the right choices easier. For instance, “Would you rather have solar energy or wind for your entree? How about a side of low-flow dual flush toilets and a faucet aerator with your order?”
Of course, in the real world it is not that simple. Even the choir has a difficult time incorporating green features into their existing buildings because of the difficulty of documenting their value. Real estate appraisers are in the same pickle jar. They must examine the cost to build, replacement value, income (if any) and use comparable sales to support the final value. Except there aren’t any comparable sales in most neighborhoods. At least, not yet.
Electric cars are being produced by several major manufacturers but the public is leery of the technology. Here we examine a few common myths and give you a true or false on the science applications.
