Tag

Green Buildings

Waste Management Sustainability Services

By | Green Initiatives | No Comments

 

Before opting for waste management sustainability services, it is important to analyze what type of waste your building generates. Offices primarily generate great amounts of waste paper, whereas other commercial buildings will have specific types of wastes generated depending on the nature of the building. Effective waste management can greatly reduce operational building expenses.
 
The question is, how can waste management reduce costs? It is interesting to know that garbage disposal is more expensive than recycling waste, so by recycling, you’re effectively reduce your waste costs.
On the other hand, it can considerably streamline a building’s day-to-day operations. For example, an office building generates a great amount of paper waste. By separating paper from the other waste, you’ll have a small quantity of decay-able waste to handle. Besides, you’ll be doing your part to save the environment.

 

The Process of Waste Management Sustainability Services

One of the major hindrances you’ll have to face as a building manager will be to find the time to put into practice a well-planned waste reduction program. You should know that there are a few simple measures that once taken, can make a big difference.
 
1. First and foremost, you should review what type of waste is generated in your commercial buildings. A quick walk through the waste room will answer this question. What you need to find out is the major component of the waste.
 
2. Various studies that looked into the garbage of an office building found that:
• A lot of paper that was in the waste was recyclable;
• Most of the papers were printed on only one side;
• A large amount of new or barely used stationary items were disposed off.

To reduce waste costs, you should recommend the use of both sides of paper to reduce the waste quantity, as well as setting up a paper recycling system.
 
3. There are numerous ways to implement recycling systems in your commercial buildings. This would require you to have the specific equipment, as well as cooperation from your tenants and the correct training of the cleaning staff.
 
4. Correct labeling of all recycling bins is important. Put these labels on all bins before handing them out to the tenants.
 
5. Educate the tenants regarding the new waste management system through posters and flyers.
 
6. You should consider providing training to the cleaning staff so that they can efficiently sort out recyclable material from other waste.
 
7. As for waste management sustainability services, they offer a balance between quality and cost – the ideal situation would be to have a service that is flexible with great customer service. When signing a new contract, make sure all terms are clear and that there is no element of confusion.
Once the tenants get in the habit of the new recycling system, you’ll be surprised at the decrease in your building’s waste footprint.

 

Commercial Building Costs

By | Property Management | No Comments

 
 

Operating a commercial building can have significant monthly expenses. It is a challenge for building managers to reduce these monthly commercial building costs, of which the energy bills comprise a greater proportion. Proper maintenance and energy saving measures can go a long way in bringing down a commercial building’s costs without compromising on the operational efficiency.

Generally, the ratios of operating cost categories to the total operating cost are stable in most parts of the country. Total utilities including electricity, water, steam and natural gas adds up to approximately 25% of the Total Operating Costs, according to the statistics by Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM).

Retro-Commissioning to Reduce Commercial Building Costs

Altering a building’s operational timing can significantly reduce energy consumption. For example, there is no need to run the air conditioner at night, especially when the building is not occupied.

Meanwhile, as the buildings get older, the overall efficiency also starts to decrease. Energy efficient designs cease to be as efficient as they were initially. This is when a retro-commissioning process can go a long way in restoring efficiency to the intended amounts.

Steam Trap Maintenance / Replacement

Steam systems that are poorly maintained are a common issue for old commercial buildings, especially those that rely on larger boiler systems. Such buildings usually have hundreds of steam traps that regulate the condensate inside the steam system. These can get stuck open, thereby returning steam back to the boiler. The ultimate result is an excessive usage of energy.

Professional maintenance crews can work to solve these issues with the steam system and restore efficiency to previously high levels.

Optimization of HVAC Systems

Chillers and boilers consume large amounts of energy in commercial buildings. This can account to as much as 20% of the total energy costs. If your building is located in a cold region, then you’ll have to ensure that boilers work at their peak efficiency. Same goes for buildings in warm climates – their chillers should be replaced with newer, more efficient models.

Controls of Energy Management

Incorrectly programmed controls can make a building owner assume that their building is running as efficiently as possible, whereas the building may be performing poorly. It is wise to replace, or upgrade such components and reprogram the energy management system of the building; thus allowing the building to run at a peak efficiency rating.

Lower Financing Rates

The expenses of a building aren’t only limited to its running costs. Commercial mortgage borrowing costs can also form a significant part of overall operating costs. Partnering with reputable, experienced commercial mortgage brokers can ensure you arrange low cost borrowing while including the added benefit of saving you time negotiating your mortgage terms. Lower financing rates can significantly reduce the overall operating costs for all businesses and help redirect capital to fulfill a company’s individual goals.

 

How to Make a Building Green

By | Green Initiatives | No Comments

 

Companies and corporations, as well as residential buildings, do their share in helping the environment. Some of them ban the use of plastic and Styrofoam products within their premises, while others ensure that they maintain greener surroundings. However, these are just simple things that everybody can do. When considering how to make a building green, a better idea is to actually make your building more environment-friendly to lessen its negative impact.
 
Green buildings can be started from scratch as new developments, or can actually be renovated buildings. They are usually energy efficient as these buildings effectively reduce the energy that they need for heating or cooling purposes. The design itself affects these factors, as well as the proper pieces of equipment to be used to efficiently maintain the coolness or warmth of the building.
 
Making your building green may actually entail renovation and construction. Hence, it may cost a significant amount of money. If your building is not yet green and you need funds for its renovation, consider the various types of commercial mortgages that are available. Think of it as an investment. Although at first, renovating a building to be greener would be more expensive because of the materials and equipment, you actually save money in the long run from reduced operating costs and expenses.

 

Factors Affecting the Building’s Energy Efficiency

If you’re looking at how to make a building green, one big factor that affects energy efficiency is a building’s actual architecture. The shape and the orientation of a building can affect a building’s provisions for warmth and air. It affects the air tightness, the insulation and the ventilation of the building. Other factors to consider include waste management and the use of electricity.

 

Benefits of Switching to High Efficiency Equipment in Commercial Buildings

• Save Energy: High efficiency equipment saves energy. The right equipment helps the building maintain a better cooling and heating system, allowing it to use less energy than it previously consumed. Greener air conditioning units, as well as heating systems tend to be more expensive, but in the long run they use less energy, gas or electricity.
 
• Save Money: There is always some misconception that going green is more expensive than the alternative. However, while the more efficient equipment might initially cost more, it is actually an investment. You spend less as time goes by. High efficiency lights and appliances may cost more, such as inverter air conditioning units or refrigerators, but they consume considerably less energy and electricity. At the end of the day, you save money because electricity bills reduce. In a few months, the additional cost of that expensive, yet highly efficient appliance, would already be equal to a few months energy cost savings.
 
• Improve Pollution and Waste Management: There are some buildings that have great designs and equipment for waste management, including recycling wastewater and garbage. When considering how to make a building green, switching to better equipment that can handle a commercial building’s waste not only can save hundreds of dollars per month, but also effectively reduces the waste that you release to the environment. Water conserving faucets and toilets conserve water and in turn also help to improve efficiencies.