How to Reduce Operating Costs by Employing Energy Efficiency, Water

& Waste Reduction Techniques

Going Green Part IBecker & Poliakoff, P.A.Provider # 000081111

Course #9625879

Lisa A. Magill, Esqlmagill@becker-poliakoff.com

Efficiency Improvements – What & Why

• What’s all the fuss about?• What is “Green”?• Types of Improvements/Retrofits• Ownership/Control Over Property• Case Study Examples

What’s All the Fuss About?

• Business Case – Reduce Operating Costs!

• Environmental Stewardship• Government Requirements/Regulations• Lifestyle Issues / Marketability

Motivating Factors

Altruism or Fear?

Government Req’ts

• Federal agencies required to enact efficiency improvements, including:– 30% reduction in vehicle fleet

petroleum use by 2020. – 26% improvement in water efficiency by

2020. – 50% recycling and waste diversion by

2015. – Implementation of the 2030 net-zero-

energy building requirement.

New York Legislation – in 2013• Existing buildings will have to meet energy code

standards in connection with renovations

• 50,000 sq. ft or more required to conduct energy audits every 10 years and benchmark analysis

• Commercial bldgs 50,000 sq. ft. or more required to upgrade lighting

• 16 million revolving loan fund to pay for efficiency upgrades

Estimated $750 million per year in savings.

Lifestyle

• Improved Indoor Air Quality / Happier Residents & Staff

• Establish Common Goal / Improve “Pride of Ownership”

• New Generation – Environmental Concerns Important

• Increase Value & Marketability

Greenwashing

From Wikipedia: Greenwashing (green whitewash) is the practice of companies disingenuously spinning their products and policies as environmentally friendly, such as by presenting cost cuts as reductions in use of resources. It is a deceptive use of green PR or green marketing.

Greenwashing Products

“Green” Soap

So… What is Green?

Green Standards• USGBC - LEED• ENERGY STAR• Florida Building Energy-Efficiency Ratings Act

(§553.990-553.998, F.S.)• Florida Home Energy Rating System (HERS)• Thermal Efficiency Standards (ss. 553.900-

553.912)• Energy Conservation Standards (ss. 553.951-

553.975)

More Green Standards

• Florida Green Building Coalition• International Green Construction Code• CALGreen• Federal Green Construction Guide

(specifications)

Types of Improvements/Retrofits

• Low Hanging Fruit• Building Envelope• HVAC • Lighting • Optimize System Function

• Amenities• Car Charging Stations• Pool / Spa• Community Garden

Building Envelope

• Weather Barriers

• Sealing/Caulking

• Insulation

• Shade/Natural Light

HVAC/ Plumbing / ElectricalField studies of commercial heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment revealed that “common” problems with equipment and controls including leaky ducts and dirty air filters can increase a building’s energy consumption about 15 to 30 percent and affect indoor air quality and occupant satisfaction

Lighting• Use compact fluorescent

(CFL) or T8 or T5 linear fixtures instead of incandescent fixtures.

• Install LED (light emitting diode) and ENERGY STAR exit signs

• If all U.S. companies switched to ENERGY STAR qualified exit signs, they would save $75 million in electricity costs.

Water Usage

• Florida Friendly Landscaping™• Water Recapture & Reuse (non-potable)• Appliances & Plumbing Fixtures• System Optimization

Energy Production

• Solar

• Solar Energy System Incentives Program

• Geothermal

Ownership/Control Over Property

• ARC / ACC provisions – what is permitted or rejected?

• Association vs. Owner Responsibility• Owner Improvements: §163.04, F.S. • Florida-Friendly Landscaping – change

of attitude required • Irrigation Rules/Restrictions?

Improvements / Alterations

• §718.113(2), F.S. – is a vote required?– Different roofing materials (replace tar &

gravel with “green” roof)– Window Tinting– Installation of timers, sensors, – motion detectors, LED lighting– Parking Lot Lighting

•

Case Study- Ocean Hammock

• Concentrated Annuals at Strategic Locations

• Flower Rotation Mgmt Process

• Re-Used Existing Plant Materials

• Eliminated Maintenance Items

• Annual Pruning• Master Gardener

Program

Case Study Examples

Symphony TowersOptimized Cooling Tower PerformanceAdjusted Water Temperature/Set Points

Project Cost $76,600Annual Savings $65,000Payback (ROI) 14 months

Case Study Examples

• Low Cost Improvements

• After Hours Programming

• HVAC System

• Control Sequencing Installed

FBI Chicago Field Office

Case Study Examples

• Synthetic Turf Installed in Place of Grass for Football Field

• Coach Smith estimates savings of $70,000 per year

St. Thomas Aquinas

Case Study Examples

• Approximately 6 acres of synthetic turf

• Estimated savings at $60,000 per year.

• No mowing, resodding, irrigation repairs, water bills, chemicals, increased use, better appearance. Top layer of product lasts 10 yrs and underlayment lasts 20 yrs.

Coral Springs Athletic Fields

Thank You!

Lisa A. Magilllmagill@becker-poliakoff.com954. 965.5053