THE LEAN FOR COMMUNITY ASSOCIATIONS TO GO GREEN
Becoming environmentally friendly seems to have been one of the biggest pushes over the last few years. Not only does going green have a positive impact on the environment, it can also reduce operational expenses for community associations. If your association is looking to go more green, here are a number of realistic and valuable steps you can take.
- A great place to start is by replacing incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent lights. Though this is a small change, it can reduce energy consumption by 35% compared to traditional incandescent bulbs and can last seven times longer.
- Weatherizing buildings is another inexpensive option for community associations working to go green. This process most commonly includes adding attic insulation, which will normalize internal temperatures throughout the year and help save on your electrical and gas bills, especially on colder days.
- If you’re unsure if or how much you can save on your energy bills, consider obtaining an energy evaluation by a local energy provider. This assessment is a fairly simple step for associations going green as it assures you get the most bang for your buck. In many cases, these evaluations are often offered by your energy company for free or for a small nominal fee.
- A great investment that associations going green can make is investing in community solar panels. By installing solar panels on community common areas, your organization could further reduce their monthly energy bill. Though solar panels initially may be costly, they can significantly lower the overall energy cost of your community association in the long run. Seeking financing for projects like this can be a great investment for your association, and if interested, Continental Bank would love to help your community association pursue this cost-efficient endeavor.
STIMULATING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Getting members of your community association to join in the association’s efforts to go green can help stimulate community unity and even decrease your operational costs. Encouraging members within your community association to go paperless in their monthly dues and statements is a great starting point. This could save time, money, and increase overall efficiency.
Another great program your board can implement is a recycling campaign. This can reduce your trash collection costs and potentially generate revenue depending on your state of residence and specific recycling campaign.
Your association can also create a community garden. Creating this can lead to community members getting more acquainted with one another, allowing them to feel more at home within the community. Actions like these can help significantly lower your carbon footprint while making a positive impact on your community association’s cost efficiency.
