The foundation for using energy responsibly is resident behavior. Benchmarking is important. Data analysis is critical. But connecting resident consumption with the “on” and “off” switch moves the needle. Can apartment operators really motivate residents to conserve energy and water in their apartments and make a significant impact? Behavioral scientists say “yes.”
The concept […]
The internet of things (IoT) has taken the nation by storm. However, its value to an apartment operation is as varied as the nation’s rental product itself. While home chore automation and security have inspired a surge of innovation and enthusiasm, a more direct and obvious driver of cost recovery is already in place […]
Denver recently passed its Green Roof Initiative requiring new and existing buildings to add green spaces to rooftops. Is your city next?
The residents of Denver, Colo., voted to institute a Green Roof Initiative. Buildings over 25,000 sq. ft. must now build out a portion (20-60 percent depending on the size of the building) […]
Green roofs—solar, garden and combination—are making their way across the country, with the latest ordinance now in effect in Denver, Colo. As owners and operators assess what such measures add to the cost of multifamily construction and retrofits, many wonder about the benefits, detriments and pay-offs of this latest regulatory trend.
Green roofs are nothing […]
The architect may design it. The builder may build it. The manager may even lease it. But no one knows about the physical performance of a property—inside and out—like the maintenance team. In fact, a recent study found that maintenance techs (or facilities managers) have direct or indirect impact on 82 percent of the […]
Energy Star began identifying energy efficient computers and printers in 1995, and the rest is history. Today, it has rated thousands of apartment properties across the country through its Portfolio Manager benchmarking tool, most recently adding waste to its lineup. Most importantly, it’s fast becoming the catalyst for local legislatures to mandate benchmarking to […]
When I started in ancillary services more than a decade ago, the discussion regarding utility management focused primarily on Ratio Utility Billing System (RUBS). While RUBS is still a significant part of utility management (people do conserve and recycle when they have skin in the game), there has been a shift—managing utilities now encompass […]
One of the best parts of my job is hearing what’s on the minds of owners and operators. It’s simple. How can utilities move NOI? What are those things with the power to move caps rates?
Utility management. In one heartbeat, it can impact nearly every facet of an apartment business from asset value […]
They work well in commercial buildings, but not a lot of research has been done for multifamily.
What is a blower door test, you ask? Great question. I honestly didn’t understand what it was myself until recently. The first time I heard of blower door testing a few years ago, I (naively) thought it […]
Apartment properties stand as one of the nation’s largest consumers of energy. As owners and operators feel the growing impact on their operations, the ever-evolving world of utility management shows a lot of promise in controlling costs and increasing both asset value and savings.
Energy deregulation
In 1978, new Federal Energy Regulatory Commission […]
