Green Community Association Initiatives
word catch phrase these days is “everything must go green.” The dictionary defines the green versus the Environment:
G reen “ – (made with little damage to the environment, using renewable resources, or the policy of promoting the protection of our environment.)
community associations, each individual can have a positive impact on our environment, and in some cases we can save the money by going green. Imagine a community support cleaner, more efficient and be a manager for its environmental health.
As we believecommunities about Green, we need to examine the costs of making and keeping us in green. It takes commitment from the board and community members to operate a green community program. All efforts have focused on Green Communities philosophy can make a difference in not only your community but also the world around you.
The management company for the association of the community must be committed to “Sustainable Green Communities” and has already developed a system of paperless technology that reduces the need for paper forms of communication more traditional for the electronic version. In the past, property management companies has drawers drawers of files containing folder after folder of information that is important.Today almost all of this information can be stored in digital form and several binders full of information can be stored on the hard drive of a computer. What does this mean for the green community? That means they have just saved reams of paper, printing ink, and energy of copier used to print the document. In other words, every step we take to save the environment and consume less energy is a contribution to a community environment, it all adds up.
Green Board MeetingsAn example would be that the Council has reduced the multiple pieces of paper used in creating packages for board meetings. In some cases, which had 50 to 100 pages can now be as little as 8 pages. The rest should be available electronically and the Board has considered this before the meeting or the manager can show their digital information. This method saves time, money, and contributes to a green community. In many cases, a document is created and reviewed by several people, but has never been printed.
Did you know? If you do not use a ton of paper you will save 17 trees, 380 gallons of oil, 3 cubic yards of landfill space, 4,000 kilowatts of energy, 7000 gallons of water, and 60 pounds of air pollutants. It is possible to organize meetings by phone or email, but you must consider the availability of members and compliance with state laws governing electronic meetings. By holding electronic meetings, you can save the association time, money and volunteer board members more time with their families. paperless technology coupled with state of the art property management software can enable a community to be more environmentally friendly. A Council member can quickly review the financial health act violations and restrictions of all major areas of management of the association of their computer without ever printing a piece of paper. In fact, board members should have access to more digital information than ever before. In this case, the information means more green information. Green Energy Community and Reduction Recycling PlanA community has the ability to assess and monitor a number of questions have positive impact by adopting a green philosophy.
Associationsresponsible for providing waste disposal contractor should choose one that has a recycling plan. For years, almost all waste disposal companies have been using recycling techniques. Use it as an important part of selecting a contractor and work with members of your community to use the recycling programs.
Did you know? Recycling one ton of plastic bottles saves 318 gallons of gasoline, or enough energy to run a refrigerator for a month. energy auditConduct an energy audit of your association. It is very simple to do. In reviewing the most energy bills, you can see the consumption and consumption history. Look at the possibilities of developing an energy plan for the association encourages members to use renewable energy or the inventory of energy consumption and develop a plan to reduce energy. Invest in your community renewable energy sources. If demand increases for renewable energy, energy industry moves to meet demand. The association’s board of directors has the ability to shape ecological communities and working with members must exercise this option.
Your management company should work with suppliers of power in communities regulated and deregulated to get the best price available and work with the utilities that are concerned about the environment. They should also work with them to conduct an energy audit to identify areas where we can save money and energy. Each community is different and some are more energy intensive than others. Some points to consider in making your community green. lights outside: Are they solar? If not, how much would it cost to change to solar power? This should also help in case of extended power outage. Are you using energy efficient light bulbs? Interior Lighting: Are they turned off when not in use? Consider changing switches switches or timers movement. Are you using energy efficient light bulbs? Did you know? Each incandescent bulb you replace with a compact fluorescent (CFL) bulb can save up to 56 watts per hour. Electronic Equipment: Electronics usually have a power saving mode, but even with this mode, they still consume electricity. Be sure the electronics are turned off when not in use. Did you know? Monitors generally use about 80% of energy that uses a computer, you can use it to calculate how much energy you save by turning off the monitor. For example, a computer with 200 watts you’ll save 160 watts per hour to turn off the monitor. Pools: The timers used in the heated pool and whirlpool or they are heated all year? Fires energy efficient? Community Center: How often HVAC filters changed? How old is the system? fan motors and compressors old system were built during the energy consumption was not a concern. Appliances are turned off when not in use? Did you know? By setting your thermostat in winter or summer will reduce CO2 emissions by 500 pounds per year for each degree. Tennis: there Lights? Are energy efficiency? Could they be powered by solar energy? indoor recreational facilities: Is there a HVAC system? Is it energy efficient? Should it be modified to be more effective? The system is regularly maintained? Fires energy efficient? Gates: electric doors are usually easy to convert solar energy and not very expensive. In the case of long term <-! Nextpage -> blackouts, solar power electric fences can be very useful.
Toilet Park: is the energy efficient heating water? Fires energy efficient? Efficient use of water or can it be reduced?
They were just some of the steps a community can take to adopt a philosophy of community green. Communities must be aware of their energy consumption, recycling opportunities and measures they can take to be proactive in creating green communities.
<> With over 25 years experience, Duane has been certified by the Community Association Institute as a Professional Community Association Manager (PCAM ®) is the highest professional certification available to nationwide to managers who have advanced skills, knowledge and experience.
For more information about Duane McPherson or management hoa, please see: http://www.realmanage.com/aboutus.aspxarticle articlesbase.com / a>
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