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As co-op and condo decision makers, you want to do your part for the environment and do it efficiently and cost-effectively. Here are ideas on how you can, with the latest information on green products, energy conservation, and green building management.
Green Financing for Capital Improvements: Difficult But Not Impossible
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May 15, 2012 — Despite rising interest in green technology and the savings it can provide, lenders will probably be reluctant to make loans when the money to repay the loan is expected to come from energy cost savings. Why? Lack of reliable data about actual savings, unreliability of audit predictions and the need for unconventional underwriting requirements. But that doesn't mean you won't be able to finance insulation for the new roof or lighting improvements, or a high-efficiency boiler. Read More »
Green New Products
Check out environmentally friendly lighting, energy-efficient construction materials and many things you wouldn't even have expected could go green! Read More »
Op-Ed: Engineer's Plea for Responsible New York Energy Policies
Sept. 27, 2011 — The state of New York has begun a program to provide incentive funding to help buildings switch from a "master meter" — where just one electrical meter measures electricity use for everyone in the building together — to submetering, in which where apartment residents are billed and pay for their electricity based on their actual usage. Yet the program provides loopholes for significant housing sectors, including Mitchell-Lama buildings. Why? Read More »
Ask the Attorney: Does My Co-op Need to Do Energy / Water Benchmarking?
April 24, 2012 — A reader asks: I live in a small co-op in Brooklyn, and I am president of the co-op board. Our building is self-managed. I recently spoke to a friend who is on his board and he mentioned the New York City benchmarking submission requirement. Our building never made a benchmarking submission and was wondering, are all co-ops required to submit a report? What are the consequences if we submit late? Read More »
A Co-op Slashes Water, Fuel & Upkeep Costs with an Energy-Efficient Boiler
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Jan. 26, 2012 — With its 1960s HVAC system failing, an Eastchester co-op was running on borrowed time. The solution: a newer model that lowered its bills by saving energy. Read More »
Sun Spot: Park Slope Co-op Goes 'Solar Thermal' to Heat Its Water. Should You?
Sept. 22, 2011 — Richard Cherry is president of the Community Environmental Center, and Richard Klein is founder and CEO of Quixotic Systems Inc.
Suddenly, solar thermal is hot. A cutting-edge approach to heating water for showers, dishwashers, laundry machines and more, it's at the forefront of renewable energy and can also reduce a building's fuel costs. One co-op in Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood has installed a version of solar thermal, and serves as a case study of what it is, how it works and whether it's right for your co-op or condo building. Read More »
A Green Building Means Nothing Without a Green Super: The Job Goes High-Tech
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May 10, 2012 — At the mixed condominium-and-rental William Beaver House in New York City's Financial District, John Sarich represents the cutting edge of what all building superintendents will become in the coming years. Without a single major capital improvement in his building, through just the green operations and maintenance of his existing systems, he saves his property $32,000 a year — and through only a one-time, $17,000 outlay of time and materials. Read More »
NY State Soliciting Public Comments on Proposed New Submetering Regulations
Jan. 20, 2012 — Submetering has become controversial over perceived issues of fairness and affordability. But with the growing need to conserve resources and reduce electricity use, it may be a necessary option for rental, co-op and condo buildings alike — even though it may raise electricity bills for 10 percent of your residents ... who may deserve it. Do you want to know why? Read More »
Climate Change Is Real and Here: What To Do NOW To Protect Your Building
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May 4, 2012 — Sea levels rising. Droughts. Higher-intensity storms.
Climate change and its effects are with us. And while global efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions are ongoing, scientists continue to warn us that, no matter how valiant our efforts, we are in for a certain amount of global warming and a host of potential catastrophes. Adding to this, most climate change experts will also give the caveat that it's quite possible we have already passed the point of no return. Read More »
Proper Recycling Is Complicated. Good Thing There's This Free Monthly Seminar
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April 12, 2012 — The Apartment Building Recycling Initiative of New York City's Department of Sanitation offers free monthly programs to teach co-op and condo board members and others about quick and easy ways to increase recycling and cut costs. Like, did you know there's a lot of plastic we're NOT supposed to recycle, even though they have those little triangular arrow thingies? Who knew? Well, now YOU will. Read More »
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Cleaning your boiler is a dirty job, but someone's got to do it. The question is, who? And how often? Carla Romita of Castle Oil can tell you.
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