Top 10 Energy Tips

Top 10 Energy Tips
Good Advice Makes Saving Simpler

By Keith Loria

There’s probably not a condo, HOA or co-op board that doesn’t worry about money at some point or another, which is why staying on top of the latest money-saving opportunities is vital for any building or community to be successful. One of the biggest ways to save money is to cut energy costs, and there are a number of things that can be done to achieve that.

“Probably the most important thing an existing building can do to improve energy efficiency and sustainable strategies is to get buy-in and an overarching commitment from the owners or management company,” says Kelsey Mullen, director of residential business development for the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). “If sustainability is a priority, the building owners will have a better time justifying the initial expense of green measures. Yes, these measures do cost additional money, but the payback time can be very attractive.”

It’s not just those in charge who can make a difference. Individual residents can do their part in saving energy and money, and at the same time reduce their carbon footprint and help to preserve the environment.

“If residents ask for greener buildings, the industry will respond and create more,” Mullen says. “We are seeing a difference in demand for green in the new home and new apartment market. More of this type of demand will create more supply of what tenants want.”

Here are 10 tips from top energy experts that can help with energy cost savings.

1: Get an energy audit: An energy audit is an assessment of your building’s insulation, heating/cooling equipment, and overall “envelope” can help you figure out what improvements to make first. A professional will analyze the building and recommend a set of measures to improve energy performance.

“These might include the commissioning of mechanical equipment (and tuning the equipment to operate optimally), air sealing the exterior, replacing inefficient fixtures or bulbs, etc.,” Mullen says. “This audit is the best strategy for making the best decisions. Without this you might make some good decisions but with an audit you’ll better understand the most impactful things you could be doing.”

2: Think of Common Areas:It is essential that board members develop energy conservation plans for common areas and administration facilities that address sustainability and economy. “Install switch plate ‘occupancy sensors’ in proper locations to automatically turn lighting off when no one is present, and back on when people return,” says Deborah Fleischer, president of Green Impact, a leader in helping communities with sustainability methods. “This can be done in community rooms, hallways and any common areas that aren’t always in use.” Additionally, installing a programmable thermostat for heating and air conditioning in these areas will help save as well, as they can be lowered during downtimes. Fleischer adds that eliminating “vampire energy” by unplugging printers, electronics and other devices when not in use can save five to 15 percent in energy charges per month.

3: Install LED Lighting:A decade ago, installing LED lights got a lot of pushback because of their unpleasant bluish hue, and because the bulbs didn’t provide the brightness necessary to light hallways and rooms effectively. They’ve come a long way since however, and most experts see light-emitting diodes as the future of lighting. LED is an energy-efficient, semi-conducting light source and uses 75 percent less electricity than the standard incandescent light bulbs, and LED bulbs last 50 times longer than standard bulbs, saving you money. “This is really a revolution we are seeing,” said Terry McGowan, director of engineering and technology for the American Lighting Association. “LED offer more energy savings compared to other types of bulbs, which means it doesn’t consume as much power. Furthermore, it is offering years of service since LEDs will last a maximum of…