Posted by Josh Burroughs on Sun, Jan 17, 2010 @ 10:52 PM
I read a recent article in the San Jose Mercury News showcasing the newly installed wind turbines at Adobe's headquarters in Downtown San Jose. Mariah Power's Windspire technology is yet another great example of unique ways to generate power for your business, while delivering it in an affordable, attractive, and ultra-quiet scenario.
The Windspire technology is lauded as the most affordable energy appliance in the 1 kilowatt range.
A 30% federal tax credit (available in the USA) and local rebates are available in some areas. The average payback is under 10 years.
Aside from being virtually inaudible, the 650lb devices are made in the US using 69% recycled materials, and have a 20 year lifespan with a zero maintenance policy. I'm hoping to see more technologies like this placed in the urban environment, whether in applications like the Adobe Systems towers, or at hotels, resorts, and even your backyard to power your house!
Each 1.2 kW unit is designed to produce 2000 kilowatt hours of electricity per year in 12 mph average winds; an average U.S. home uses 8,000 to 10,000 kilowatt hours per year.
Typical installed cost is $9,000 to $12,000 for each, before rebates and tax credits for renewable energy, according to Mariah Power"s Website.
For more information on the technology visit Mariah's website at: http://www.mariahpower.com/windspire-overview.aspx
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For more information on ways to design energy saving technologies into your next project, contact Jeff Current at jcurrent@barryswensonbuilder.com . Our talented LEED AP staff can walk you through the process from start to finish!
Posted by Josh Burroughs on Fri, Sep 18, 2009 @ 12:14 AM
January 1, 2010 Get Ready Commercial Property Owners!
With the passing of this new bill, owners will need to disclose their 12-month Energy Portfolio Statistics for their property, for the purpose of providing public information to prospective buyers, tenants, and lenders. If you have an older building, or haven't upgraded or implemented an energy analysis, you might be shocked to see the results- and so will your prospective tenants looking to sign a Triple Net Lease with you.
How to Take Advantage of this new requirement?
1. It's time for those Low-Flow toilets everyone! + energy efficient lighting- prices are coming down on LEDs, so take advantage!
2. Contact your energy provider for available rebates for your due dilligence in reducing your energy intake
3. Meet with a LEED Consultant or Energy Consultant who can go through your major systems and recommend alternatives
4. Use your new efficiencies to attract new, higher-paying, socially responsible tenants that might be willing to pay a premium to be in your property.
5. Look at cost-effective insulation techniques to apply to your building skin (exteriors, interiors, windows, etc.)
You might be surprised to find that your tenants actually will be proactive with this information in hand- keep them up to date and aware of their energy impacts.
As an anecdote- imagine that you're giving your college student money for gas every month- he's going to drive a whole lot!
Now, put the responsibility on him to pay for his own gas- he's going to be a lot more cautious on how he spends his money and the distance he drives.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
For more information on how to make your buildings more efficient, contact Barry Swenson Builder's experienced LEED AP Staff for a free proposal and quote on what it will take to bring your building to a whole new level! 408.287.0246 or you can e-mail Jeff Current @ jcurrent@barryswensonbuilder.com