2011 September
2011 September Vol. 9, No.9
Focus on...Energy & The Environment
Lean and Green
CHP (combined heat and power) is a marriage of electric generation and thermal
power—the use of an engine, usually gas-fueled, to simultaneously generate electricity
and heat. It can be done on a grand scale, as in manufacturing, hospitals and
residential districts—or less massively, in condominium developments. As successive generations of
systems emerge, CHP has become a leading option for lowering condo expenses.
CHP generators are small—lean, green, and smart—but they take a big whack out of energy costs.
Read More
The Hot and Cold of It
Utility submetering is the implementation of a system that allows a condominium
association or other multi-tenant property to bill tenants for individual
measured utility usage by making use of individual water, gas, or electricity
meters for their relevant utilities.
Read More
Button Up Your Overcoat
Winters these days don’t seem to be quite as brutal as they once were, due in part to the fact that in
recent years, the Northeast has had more flooding and ice storms than
blizzards. But pipes still freeze in the dead of night, and winter conditions
still take their toll on New Jersey's HOAs. Carefully-planned landscapes can be
brutalized by winter, with trees and other plantings damaged or killed by the
weather. If not prepared correctly for the cold months, parking lots can become
money-pits, fraught with potential liabilities as the freeze-thaw cycle turns
small cracks and potholes into major problems. Heating and cooling systems can
also be pushed to their limits, breaking just when the mercury hits rock
bottom.
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Green Savings and Incentives
In an era of tight budgets and growing green consciousness, more co-op and condo
communities than ever before are moving toward energy conservation and
sustainable resources. For residential buildings in New Jersey, an
extraordinary number of resources exist for them to make drastic changes to the
way they consume energy, including education, training, networking and even
financial assistance available through a broad network of green organizations
and programs.
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Valued Volunteers
Living in a condominium community means working together. Cooperation and a
spirit of volunteerism are visible every day in community gatherings, board
meetings, even in the scheduling of time on the tennis courts. The men and
women who volunteer their time to work as part of board committees play a large
role in ensuring that the community functions smoothly and as a whole.
Read More
Too Much Stuff
Sue” is a retired professional who is well-to-do, rarely eats at home and has lived
in her condo for decades. While everything seems perfect from the outside, Sue
is the keeper of a dirty little secret.
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The U.S. Green Buidings Council
It seems that nearly everything is going “green” these days. Whether it’s the special green issue of a popular consumer magazine, an advertisement for a
fuel-efficient hybrid car or a push toward environmentally friendly building
materials, the message is clear: green is here to stay. But the idea of green
building is not new—it’s been the primary mission of the U.S. Green Buildings Council (USGBC) since the
organization’s founding in 1993.
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The Practical Applications of Sustainability
Sustainability. It’s one of those buzz words that seems to be mentioned in every conversation regarding energy and the environment. But what does it really mean? And how does it apply to you and to your community association? Read More
Q&A: Legality of a Credit Check
Our sale is being blocked by a condo association application wanting our social security numbers to run credit checks. We will not release that information. It is not in their bylaws or documents recorded with the county. Do they have a right to conduct a credit check? Read More
Q&A: Board Member Crossing the Line
I live in a mid-rise condo. A board member took it upon herself to park in a handicap parking spot, requested to use the building’s hose and used the building's water to wash her car. It is not stated in the house rules or bylaws that anyone cannot wash their cars on the premises but the board member is clearly abusing and overstepping their power. What can we do to make sure this does not happen again? Other unit owners have brought up concerns about the member's behavior and lack of consideration. What example is she setting for the board if she parks illegally in a handicap parking spot and proceeds to wash her car using the water that all shareholders’ maintenance dues pay for? What applies to one should apply to all but apparently this board member feels she has special privileges that others don't. How should this be handled? Read More
