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Energy Conservation
The Upside of Energy-Efficient Lighting
Ask anyone to draw a picture of a light bulb, and odds are the sketches are all going to look quite similar—a circular incandescent bulb with the threaded end and tungsten filament that most lamps have always used. You know the ones: when someone gets an idea, it's the bulb that's supposed to appear over their head. But if you want a really good idea, try replacing those old-school bulbs with newer fluorescent ones—you'll not only save money, you'll be helping out the environment by using far less energy as well. Read More
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
In our highly disposable society, how people and communities deal with their trash is of vital importance to both individuals and their communities as a whole. The tri-state area produces a staggering amount of garbage every day, and recycling is one method of lessening the environmental impact of that garbage, as well as lowering costs and improving public health and sanitation. Many co-op and condo boards outline their recycling plans within the governing documents, though to get residents to actively recycle, more proactive steps often need to be taken. Read More
Eco-Friendly Pest Control
Jena Ball couldn't sleep—the noise was deafening and keeping her awake night after night. The racket wasn't coming from the next door neighbors, but instead was emanating from inside her condo wall. "It was bizarre," says Ball. Read More
Winterizing HOA Building Systems
Winterizing a condo or co-op is important every year, but with energy prices soaring, it's going to be especially important to keep your buildings protected from the elements—and your equipment running at its best—as the cold months approach in 2005. The nearly $3 a gallon we're paying at the gas pump is going to translate into higher energy costs this winter. Read More
Understanding U.S. Green Building Standards
It seems that suddenly, everyone's talking about green buildings and green construction. But it's really not a new concept. Back in the 1970s and '80s, after the energy crisis made us all aware of the high cost of electricity, energy-efficient building technology, such as compact fluorescent lights, energy-efficient lighting ballasts and air conditioners that cycled on and off, came into being. Still, the original focus was on office buildings and institutions such as universities and hospitals, not homes. Read More
New Jersey's Deregulated Energy Industry
It's been said that choice is the ultimate luxury. Since 1999, New Jersey businesses and residents have had the luxury of choosing which utility company from which to purchase gas, electricity, and heating fuel; but with choice often comes challenge. Along with their new options and the predicted benefits of a more competitive marketplace, New Jersey residents have also had to deal with the changes and questions raised by the state government's deregulation of energy providers. Read More
The Power of Energy Incentives
With gas prices rising steadily and everyone looking for ways to cut costs, New Jersey's utilities are doing what they can to help people invest in money-saving, energy-saving technologies and resources. From boilers to solar power to wind energy, utility companies and government agencies are giving consumers valuable incentives to choose the appliances and power sources that make the most out of the resources used to generate them. Agencies are even going so far as to provide financial rewards to builders who create energy-efficient housing, building green from the ground up, inside and out. Read More
What Happens to Material When You Recycle
Every year thousands of tons of paper, metal and glass are recycled in New Jersey—and not just on behalf of state residents. The detritus gets broken down and turned into hundreds of "post-consumer" products, then re-sold and re-used, and the process begins all over again. The demand for recycled materials is growing in leaps and bounds, and the economics are becoming as compelling as the environmental concerns. From the recycling bin to the store shelf, these materials are forming a closed loop that takes some of the strain off of our energy production and natural resource harvest. Read More
Considering a Utility Audit?
Every year, condominiums and co-ops in New Jersey pay millions of dollars in utility expenses, including electric, water/sewer, gas, and steam. Are you certain your board or homeowners association (HOA) is paying the correct amount? What if it isn't? Without an expert audit, you may never know if your complex is due refunds, savings, and credits from overcharges that appear in a surprisingly large percentage of utility bills. Read More
New Energy-Saving Technology
In the ever-changing world of technology, people are constantly offered new products and updated devices to improve their living conditions and help save money in the process. The same is true when it comes to energy. It's important for boards and managers to keep track of the latest energy-saving trends and implement them into their co-ops and condos as they will save money and help the environment. Read More
