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GREEN APARTMENTS/CONDOS CONVERT TO GREEN DOLLARS FOR RESIDENTS, MANAGERS

Release Date: 1/27/1999
Contact Information: David Sternberg (215) 814-5548

PHILADELPHIA - Using revolving doors and energy-efficient products with the Energy Star label will not only reap cost-saving economic benefits for apartment and condominium residents and managers, but at the same time will benefit the environment by reducing air pollution.

Every kilowatt of energy saved reduces the demand from power plants that burn fossil fuels to produce electricity.  Smog, acid rain and global warming are all byproducts of an increasing demand for energy.

Some green habits are obvious.  Change and clean heating air filters every season.  Turn off lights and appliances when not in use.  Run dishwashers, washers and dryers with only full loads.  Turn down the hot water heater thermostat.  Close off air vents and doors to rooms not used.  Replace incandescent lights with fluorescent bulbs.

A simple and tremendous energy-saver is the use of revolving doors.  For years commercial and institutional buildings have saved energy and cut utility bills with revolving doors at the entry.  Revolving doors keep the outside and inside environments separated and lose the least amount of air is lost compared with swinging or sliding doors.  In a four-season climate such as the mid-Atlantic states, door manufacturers estimate the cost savings at as much as 15 or 20 percent.  This is why hotels and office buildings direct people away from swinging doors and to revolving doors.  

Energy-wise and budget conscious managers have their doormen directing residents and guests to revolving doors and sometimes even helping by giving the door a turn.  One manufacturer says a retail store with a revolving entrance door that cost $100,000 will  be repaid in three years through  savings on its utility bills.

Products with the Energy Star label use 20 to 40 percent less energy than standard new products and considerably less than older products.  These include computers; refrigerators, washers, dryers, other home appliances, furnaces, air conditioners, and lighting fixtures.  Television sets and VCRs with the Energy Star label use up to 75 percent less energy than conventional models when switched off, and there is no any sacrifice in quality or reliability.

An average household spends more than 40 percent of its annual energy budget on heating and cooling costs.  Energy Star programmable thermostats can produce a 10 percent saving.  Energy Star windows are twice as efficient as the average window produced 10 years ago, and can reduce heating and cooling costs another 15 percent.

For more information on how to reduce household expenses, building management budgets and reduce air pollution, call the EPA customer service hotline at 800/438-2474.


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