How to make your condo Green!! Part 2

July 23rd, 2010 Jeff Wu Posted in Condominiums, First-time Homebuyer, Money, Neighborhood Information, Uncategorized No Comments »

WATER CONSERVATION AND LANDSCAPING  

Common Areas/BuildingsGreen house made of leaves

  • Landscaping Committee. Does your condo association or apartment building have a building and grounds committee?  Attend a meeting or two to find out more about how your landscape is managed.
  • Review landscaping contract, and recommend that the contractor:
    • Use native plants,
    • Minimize the use of fertilizers and pesticides,
    • Leave some grass trimmings on the grass for natural fertilizer (grasscycle),
    • Recycle leaves and plant trimmings (if feasible),
    • Take care with lawn watering, allowing the lawn to go dormant during droughts.
  • Use the rainwater.   Direct downspouts to planted beds or lawn areas, so that the rainwater from the building can irrigate the plants. 
  • Collect rainwater.   Consider installing rain barrels or cisterns to collect and store rainwater for gardeners to use, or for dry periods.
  • Use the landscape to help manage stormwater.   If you have areas that are very wet from runoff from a building or parking lot, consider installing a raingarden to help absorb the stormwater.  Green roofs are another option to absorb stormwater runoff from a building’s roof, and also help insulate and improve energy efficiency in the building.  If you are replacing pavement or sidewalks, consider permeable paving stones or other materials that allow some of the water to drain into the soil, and reduce runoff.

Individual Unit Owners

As many condominium units are not individually metered for water use, unit owners may not know how much water they are using or if they have a leak.

  • Toilets and laundry are the major water users in most homes (view statistics on average water usage).
  • Encourage unit owners to install low flow toilets, or the flapperless toilet model, to help conserve water.  The association could consider a bulk purchase of toilets to offer residents a reduced cost.
  • Choose Energy Star when replacing a clothes washer to save water and energy.
  • Check pipes and faucets for leaks.  Even small leaks can waste significant amounts of water. Water leaks are not only a waste of water, but also of the energy needed to heat the water.
  • Turn off the water when brushing teeth or shaving.
  • Try to keep your shower to five minutes or less.
  • Install low flow showerheads and faucet aerators. Look for ones that use no more than 2.5 gallons per minute at maximum flow (for showerheads) and 2.2 gallons per minute maximum flow (for faucets).
  • Check the toilet for leaks. Leaks inside a toilet can waste up to 200 gallons of water per day. Toilet leaks can be detected by taking the tank cover off and placing several drops of food coloring in the tank. You have a leak if you see the coloring in the bowl after a few minutes. Most leaks involve the rubber flapper or shut off valve found in the tank. Repair as soon as possible.
  • View other water conservation tips.

 

For additional information on making your condo green, please contact:

Jeff Wu
Century 21, New Millenium
571-248-1110
240-994-7938
Jeff@AgentKnowsHomes.com
www.AgentKnowsHomes.com

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How to make your Condo Green!! — Part 1

July 21st, 2010 Jeff Wu Posted in Condominiums, Money, Uncategorized No Comments »

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

Common Areas/BuildingsHouse made of green leaves

  • Collect your data: electricity, gas, water.  Understand your past energy use history.  Determine a scope of potential improvements.
  • Get a whole-building energy audit by a qualified firm that has tackled multifamily housing before.
  • Get pricing for a capital improvement package.  Try not to just grab low-hanging opportunities.  Do you have enough in capital reserves for a package of cost-effective energy investments?  If so, sell the numbers to your membership.
  • Energy-saving performance contracting (ESCO) is an alternative financing option. 
  • For Bulk Purchases, check out the Quantity Quotes web site for bulk pricing on light bulbs, light fixtures, clothes washers, dehumidifiers, dishwashers, refrigerators, or room air conditioners.
  • Move from master metering to individual metering?   Studies have shown that changing from one meter for an entire building to individual unit meters can cut household energy use 10%-50%. 

Individual Unit Owners

  • Have heating/cooling equipment serviced on a seasonal basis for preventive maintenance, optimal operation and safety checks.
  • Choose Energy Star for heating and cooling equipment, major appliances and lighting.
  • Unplug energy vampires.  All those little chargers and electronic devices that respond to a remote control draw charge even when they are not in use.  Plug them into a power strip and turn it off when they are not being used.
  • Get an energy audit - an energy audit is an assessment of your homes insulation, heating/cooling equipment, and overall “building envelope” can help you figure out what improvements to make first.
  • Seal and insulate - air leaks around windows and doors can waste a lot of energy.  

 

For additional information on how to make your condo green, contact…..

Jeff Wu
Century 21, New Millenium
571-248-1110
240-994-7938
Jeff@AgentKnowsHomes.com
www.AgentKnowsHomes.com

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First Time Buyers should have more time for Tax Credit

October 30th, 2009 Jeff Wu Posted in Money, Uncategorized Comments Off

All right!  Politicians are working to keep the energy in the real estate market.

Check out this article, that a loan officer friend sent me, on the First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit extension and conforming loan limits. (also below)

Tax Credit Extension Article + loan limits

Tax Credit Extension Article + loan limits

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