Shelly Dein, Shelly Dein Consulting

Green Champion “It’s not easy being Green” Kermit the Frog Preserving Affordable Housing through Energy Conservation, 1 April 14, 2010

Be a Champion even if you aren’t an expert  Transform the owner’s role from “team coordinator” to “team builder + leader” 2

The Time is Now Recognition of urgency Concerns about green house gases, climate impact, national security Availability of funding , new heightened appreciation for energy efficiency 3

When can we improve efficiency?  Major renovation  Capital Needs Work  Unit Turnover  Ongoing Operations 4

Energy- Energy-Efficiency is about Higher Performance  Requires careful design and quality construction  Ongoing vigilance, opportunities 5

Quality = Performance 19 17 15 13 *Includes Framing, 11 Wiring, and 9 Pipes 7 5 Rated R-value "Best Typical Practice*" Installation* Effective R-value of Insulation Courtesy of Conservation Services Group 6

How do we start?  Start with an Energy Audit  Benchmark your property  Then set performance goals Courtesy of New Ecology, Inc. + HRI 7

What are the hurdles to getting it right?  1. Capital Costs  2. Split Incentives  3. Muddled Information  4. Lots of People, Interactions, and Time 8

1. Capital Costs  Projects have limited budgets  Owners/lenders concerned more with first costs than operating costs  First costs:  More clearly understood, more predictable  Operating costs/savings:  Behavior dependent, unit price fluctuation 9

2. Split Incentives  Owners may not pay for utilities  May have little financial incentive to invest in all conservation opportunities  Example: If don’t pay for in-unit in- electricity, why pay extra for efficient refrigerator? 10

What financial tools can we use?  Availability of rebates, grants, tax incentives, favorable financing  www.dsireusa.org  www.leanmultifamily.org www.leanmultifamily.org  Energy Performance Contracting with ESCOs (Energy Service Companies)  Synergistic opportunities to save even more 11

3. Muddled Information  How is a building’s energy and water being used?  What equipment , products should I use?  Newest options have limited track record  When many changes made simultaneously, how to assign savings or problems? 12

How to get useful data  Submetering  Energy Mgmt Systems  BIM Software  Seek operating info in decision- decision-making process  Performance Testing  Growing body of best practices info  www.BuildingGreen.com 13

4. People/Interactions/Time  Many people affect how a building performs:  Design Team  Installer, Construction Team  Maintenance, Cleaners  Repair Vendors  Occupants  Replacement parts supplier  Frequent occupancy + staff changes 14

Feedback Loop + Integrated Design Process  Better communication enables better performance  Otherwise, we can undo the work of others 15

Other Communication Tools  Train all contractors, subs  Performance testing  Commissioning of work 16

How to Maintain Efficiency  Review usage data regularly  Standardize green practices  Checklists for inspection, turnover, preventative maintenance  Purchasing protocol – central system for portfolio  Stock supply room with preferred parts  Get O+M manuals, training from contractor  Update CNA, seek higher performance 17

Tools for Residents  Familiarize residents with equipment, goals  Share usage data  Solicit feedback re: construction & maintenance – satisfaction survey  Incentivize residents  Organize conservation events 18

Green Champion "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.“ -Margaret Mead Thank you. Shelly Dein, Sustainability Consultant shellydein@hotmail.com 617-834-5006 19

Shelly Dein, Shelly Dein Consulting

by National Housing Conference & the Center for Housing Policy on Apr 16, 2010

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Shelly Dein, Shelly Dein Consulting — Presentation Transcript