Top Three Demand Reduction Measures 

Occupancy, lighting and equipment all play a part in any building, and managing this energy load well is critical to a sustainable approach to building operations. Based on a survey of our commercial clients, we've compiled a list of the three top demand reduction measures you can employ in your building:

1)  HVAC efficiency.  In the recent push toward efficiency audits (Local Law 87/2009 of NYC), Great Forest clients in New York have seen investment in cooling efficiency rise to the top of the list of energy conservation measures. Even if you do not have to undergo an efficiency audit, take a very close look at the opportunity to retrofit tenant units during a buildout and/or install Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) on more efficient central systems. 

2)  PC and Data Center Efficiency. Office equipment contributes up to 30% to air conditioning load in an office space. Great Forest recommends performing an in-depth audit of server + specialized equipment as well as normal office load to determine how and when time controlled settings can be scheduled (e.g. pre-cooling in the early mornings) to minimize peak period demand from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m.

3)  Relamping. Relatively efficient T-8s and T-5s still lose efficiency and sometimes light quality toward the end of their useful life. Locate the dates of the majority of your lamp replacements and work with your contractor to decide whether the timing is right for a wholesale relamping. Heat gain due to lighting is no gain at all for the building, especially when efficiency is low.

Great Forest has been working closely with clients and Demand Response providers to help gain financial control of their kilowatts. Please contact your Great Forest representative to learn more.  

Reduce Odors With A Clean Compactor

In this record summer heat, odor issues can arise if your compactor is not properly maintained. Here are a few quick tips to make sure your trash or recycling compactor functions properly and any odors are minimized.

• Monitor the compactor. Have your janitorial staff check the compactor and ask them to inform property management quickly if they notice leaks or increased odors. Report any damage to the hauler right away. Unless you own the compactor, it is the hauler's responsibility to provide you with a compactor in good condition. 
• Schedule cleanings for your compactor twice a year. This will ensure that trash or recyclable items that get stuck in or around the compaction unit are removed, along with any lingering odors. In hot climates, especially for compactors with a high volume of wet waste, cleanings may have to be scheduled as frequently as once a week. Check with your Great Forest consultant on the best cleaning schedule for your needs. 
• Make sure the cleaning is done properly. A proper cleaning should involve power washing and deodorizing. Also check to make sure the area behind the blade is cleaned as this is where organic matter tends to collect.
• Clean the area around your compactor.  Make sure your janitorial staff power washes the area under the compactor while it is offsite being emptied.
• Keep the door to the compactor shut at all times to ensure odors are reduced. Place a bilingual sign on the compactor door to remind janitorial staff and tenants to close the door after use. If your compactor does not have a door, proper cleaning is even more important. 
• Consider installing a commercial deodorizer for compactors that are used by foodservice tenants, or have a high volume of wet waste.

Remember, both your company/building and the waste hauler share responsibility for compactor cleanliness and maintenance. If you have further questions, contact your Great Forest representative.

Did You Know... Olympic Venues Compete for Green Medal 

The 2012 London Olympics employed many successful sustainability strategies.  They reduced overall carbon emissions by 20% through efficiency strategies. Olympic venues used 30-40% less water than standard. And London exceeded their demolition recycling goal, reclaiming 98% of all demolition waste.

"Sustainability has become a more important concept with almost every Olympics host city over the past two decades," says Dan Probst of GreenBiz.com "and there is little doubt that the trend will continue for the foreseeable future."

The 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro is already gearing up to include sustainability as a key feature of the events. One idea is sure to win in the unique category: a Swiss architectural and design firm has proposed building a 345-foot solar tower and urban waterfall that will provide power to the city for the 2016 games.  

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