In the last few years, the demand for these properties has seen an upsurge and according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) the trend is expected to continue in 2016 as well. Though the growth is positive from the point of US economy, it has a negative impact on the environment because a high occupancy rate will lead to high utility consumption and thereby increasing the pollution levels. If you are a multifamily property owner, here are a few things you can do to ensure your property meets the standards of an eco-friendly multifamily project.

1. Install Energy Saving Appliances

Typically, appliances account for up to 25 to 30 percent of the Energy bills and as the reliance on appliances and energy prices is one the rise, it is becoming increasingly important to install energy efficient appliances that can help cut down on the energy expenses (your tenants will thank you for it later) and make the entire setup more eco-friendly. For instance, installing a Compact Florescent Light (CFL) bulb can help reduce electricity waste by 75 percent.

2. Construct Sustainable Rooftops

The benefit of having energy sustainable roofs is that they can help both produce as well as save energy. Some of the sustainable rooftop features include roof mounted solar panels, rooftop vegetation, replacing the existing roof with a cool roof or retrofitting the roof with specialized heat-reflective material.

3. Encourage Water Saving

As people are becoming more aware of the importance of saving water, they are applying techniques to reduce their water consumption. Families residing in multifamily properties or the housing board of those properties are organizing programs to conserve water and measure the success of these programs. Some of the ways to save water in multifamily units include installing high-efficiency toilets, low-flow faucets, timed irrigation system and others. The families residing in the multifamily unit

4. Develop an Alternate Transportation Plan

To minimize the dependence of residents on vehicles that run on fossil-fuels, many eco-friendly Housing Projects have footpaths and cycling tracks for pedestrians and cyclists. They also have bicycle storage racks and implement bike transit systems. In fact, some of advanced eco-friendly housing projects also provide residents access to zipcars and electric charging stations.

5. Seal Air Leakages

A considerable amount of heat loss occurs when warm air escapes through the leaks in the building. Some of the common areas through which the leakage occurs are garbage chutes, doors, windows, elevators, and mechanical shafts. In addition to this heat loss during winters, the cold air also leaks through these openings. Sealing these leaks can help save the energy cost that’s incurred due to the energy spent in maintaining the temperature inside the building.

Last Few Words

Eco-friendly housing projects are not only a financially viable option for property owners and the tenants, they also have a huge potential to diminish the carbon footprint throughout the metropolitan centers where they are being built. As a result, the government is offering grants and subsidies to developers and existing multifamily property owners for creating eco-friendly housing projects. To learn more about how we can help, call us at (972) 432-6922 or fill our contact form, and we will get back to you.