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Save Money, Save the Environment going “Green” at your Affordable Housing Property

I think it should be clear now to everyone that conservation or “Going Green” as they say, isn’t just for those “Hippie” types and not just a trend.  Conservation is our overdue way of showing respect for our environment.   Respecting our environment and capitalizing on this new way of life can also be achieved at the same time.  Let me show you what I mean using an affordable housing community as our sample:

Conservation may have started for some as a fad, but now it seems more and more important for tenants to save as much as they can.  And it plays well as a marketing ploy to appeal to those who are looking to live in a community where “Going Green” is important.  You may be surprised at the number of more environmentally conscious people out there looking for an affordable housing community with the same “green” philosophy.

Earning the *green* moniker for your community is easier than you might think. You’re  in the midst of unit turnover, and find that the appliances in the unit are in dire need of replacement, it is a perfect time to purchase the new energy efficient appliances. And so much more can be done; consider these other low-cost ways to work towards earning the “green” title.

A. Install low, flat shower heads

The average single family home uses 69.3 gallons, with showers accounting for 16.8 percent of total indoor water use. Low, flat shower heads reduce water use by an average of 50 percent for a household. This can mean hundreds of dollars of savings a year and the shower heads themselves could cost less than $10.00 per shower head.

B. Install programmable thermostats

Installing programmable thermostats and lowering the temperature just two degrees in the winter will save 6 percent of heating-related CO2 emissions. This eliminates 420 pounds of CO2 per year for a typical single family home.  A simple switch on the thermostat of just a degree or two can mean over a hundred dollars in savings for a Section 8 tenant each year.  The programmable thermostats cost about $40 and up.  Another positive comment about the programmable thermostats is that you can set them and forget them.

C. Offer recycling bins

Separating trash, such as plastic, cans and bottles takes very little effort and saves on the cost of trash removal.  Offering recycling bins as an option for tenants can be the key to reducing the cost of rubbish removal.  It is environmentally-conscious and can really make a difference in the size in the landfills.  By offering bins in your community you can also inadvertently encourage other tenants to recycle. Another thought…the cans and bottles usually can be redeemed for cash that can be used for the next year’s community holiday party!  These bins are usually free from the Trash Removal company.

D. Installing permanent air filters

Most of us regularly replace our air filters. But did you know that keeping air filters clean reduces energy consumption by 5 percent?  If you want to make this a marketable community asset, buy permanent air filters that can be washed and reused instead of thrown away.  The next time your HVAC is inspected, make it a point to ask about these filters.  The Filters cost about  $20 each.

E. Install motion-sensor lights

Installing motion sensor lights can reduce energy consumption by as much as 50%, which equals a huge savings on the monthly energy bill. Motion sensor lights can also help promote a safer living environment for tenants by adding an additional security monitor in their apartment. Any possible intruders will trigger the lights. Dimming lights save on the energy bill and conserve bulb life.  These motion sensor lights can be also used in the bathrooms to save money on the cost of electricity.

F. Installing motion-sensor faucets

Installing motion sensor faucets in the lavatory can be an enormous way to reduce energy consumption by as much as 50%, which equals a huge savings on the monthly energy bill. You know as many times as I try to teach my kids to just wet their tooth brush and then use the water to rinse their mouths and brush they just let that water run.  Since I have installed these Motion sensor faucets I know I have helped to reduce the amount of water we have used and the cost which is reflected on our water bill.  Although it doesn’t make that much sense for the kitchen faucet it does make a lot of sense for the lavatories.

Share your ideas and results in our blog.  Have you taken up any ways  to “green up” your properties? What kind of cost savings have you realized?. Please let us know!

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