How New York Is Making Co-Ops And Condos Eco-Friendly

In recent years, everyone in New York city has been going green. Many shareholders and boards of co-ops and condos are working hard to incorporate green initiatives into their architecture and their modes of operation. The gold standard for green residential initiative is theLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, which was put in place by the U.S. Green Building council.

The U.S. Green Building council has stated in the past that the residential market benefits from using green building techniques. A number of homes are registered for LEED for Homes certification. In 2013, the USGBC found that more than half of all LEED-certified homes were in the category of affordable housing. As environmental consciousness increases, more and more buildings and associations are developing “green” committees. Let’s look at how these committees affect residences in New York City.

Green Initiatives In Housing

Property managers are taking a greater interest to green initiatives in co-ops and condos. This includes heat reclamation, as well as the installation of solar panels, green roofs, green lighting, and living walls. One of the first projects that these buildings take on tends be the lighting. Lighting is a good idea for a first project because it pays for itself quickly. Another easy initiative to instill is the use of green products for building housekeeping. There are also a lot of efforts regarding the conversion from oil to gas.

 

Committees & Resources

Residents of a building are more likely to go green when the community around them advocates for green issues. People who want to learn about making their building community more green can visit GreenHomeNYC. This company runs a number of initiatives, programs, and green building tours. They also have a program called “HouseCalls” which provides information sessions about incorporating environmental issues on co-op and condo boards.

Getting The Board Involved

For buildings to be truly green throughout, the management and the board need to be fully supportive of green initiatives. That being said, the best idea is to establish a separate committee or subcommittee for green issues outside of the board. There are a few specific people that this committee should include. It is a good idea to have an engineer, an architect, a scientist or a building professional. This will ensure that the proper research is done before a recommendation is brought formally before the board. It is also important to include residents, of course, to ensure the wellbeing of the building community.

More and more buildings are becoming green in New York. If you want to live in a co-o or condo that makes an effort to help the environment, these initiatives are some things to look for. And if you want to get your condo or co-op to take on more green initiatives, these tips are a great way to start.

This article was originally published on DanielNeiditchRealEstate.com

4 Easy Ways to Live Green in NYC

Finding an apartment in New York City can be a difficult task; in fact, at one point last year, there were literally no vacancies in Manhattan.  In response, new apartments are being built as we speak, yet they are filled just as quickly, due to the already large population and an influx of newcomers to the city. This is all great, of course; we welcome aspiring New Yorkers with open arms. Yet for those with an interest in living a life of sustainability and energy efficiency, finding an apartment to suit those needs may not always be possible.

However, there are some things you can do on your own, to ensure that you’re doing your part to protect and heal our environment, and our beloved city.

1. Lighting: In the city that never sleeps, lighting is important. You don’t have to sit in the dark, but making simple changes like turning off the lights in rooms you’re not using, and purchasing energy efficient light bulbs, are a great first step in being more eco-friendly. Bulbs like compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs)use much less energy than the standard halogen bulb, to do the same job. As a bonus, they lower the cost of your energy bill, and allow you to save more money over time.
2. Shopping: Another relatively easy thing you can do is invest in reusable bags. When it’s time for grocery shopping or running errands, take your bags along. Doing so decreases the need for disposable plastic bags, which are one of the most common pollutants worldwide. They are such a problem in NYC that lawmakers have introduced legislation to begin charging consumers a 5 cents fee, to discourage their use.
3. Laundry: When washing clothes, use cold water–even for whites, as hot water requires more energy. Afterward, consider skipping out on the dryer. You’ll find that many New Yorkers still air dry their clothes, and some buildings have clothing lines attached outside. If your building doesn’t simply hang them in the house using a drying rack, which you can easily find online.
4. Thermostat: In terms of keeping your house cool, purchase blackout curtains or blinds to keep out sunlight. Use an oscillating fan to get a good flow of air throughout your space. If a fan doesn’t cut it for you, look for an AC with an energy star rating, and make the thermostat warmer when you’re not home.

This article was originally published on DanielNeiditchRealEstate.com