2011 September
2011 September Vol. 9 No. 9
Focus on...Energy & The Environment
Lean and Green
CHP (combined heat and power) is a marriage of electric generation and thermal
power—the use of an engine, usually gas-fueled, to simultaneously generate electricity
and heat. It can be done on a grand scale, as in manufacturing, hospitals and
residential districts—or less massively, in condominium developments. As successive generations of
systems emerge, CHP has become a leading option for lowering condo expenses.
CHP generators are small—lean, green, and smart—but they take a big whack out of energy costs.
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The Hot and Cold of It
Utility submetering is the implementation of a system that allows a condominium
association or other multi-tenant property to bill tenants for individual
measured utility usage by making use of individual water, gas, or electricity
meters for their relevant utilities.
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Button Up
Winters these days don’t seem to be quite as brutal as they once were, due in part to the fact that in
recent years, the Northeast has had more flooding and ice storms than
blizzards. But pipes still freeze in the dead of night, and winter conditions
still take their toll on New England homeowner associations. Carefully-planned
landscapes can be brutalized by winter, with trees and other plantings damaged
or killed by the weather.
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Money Talks
There are many reasons for “going green” in a residential community, starting with the goal of shrinking the carbon
footprint and decreasing dependence on fossil fuels. But the real reason a
condominium complex or HOA seeks sustainable energy solutions is to save money.
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Taking Measure
As the ideas of energy efficiency and “green” buildings keep growing, associations and managers often want to know which
energy-efficient improvements make the most sense for their buildings—it might be compact fluorescent lights, energy-efficient tinted windows, or
maybe, green roofs or more efficient heating and cooling systems.
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Too Much Stuff
“Sue” is a retired professional who is well-to-do, rarely eats at home and has lived
in her condo for decades. While everything seems perfect from the outside, Sue
is the keeper of a dirty little secret.
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Life in Litchfield County
Actors Dustin Hoffman and Broadway composer-lyricist Stephen Sondheim call it
home. The late actress Marilyn Monroe did, too, when she was married to the late
playwright Arthur Miller. And actor and comedian Denis Leary lives here too,
with his own backyard hockey rink, tennis courts, stable and pool.
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Valued Volunteers
Living in a condominium community means working together. Cooperation and a
spirit of volunteerism are visible every day in community gatherings, board
meetings, even in the scheduling of time on the tennis courts. The men and
women who volunteer their time to work as part of board committees play a large
role in ensuring that the community functions smoothly and as a whole.
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Managing the Unmanageable
Hoarding can be best defined as the collection of materials to the point where an individual’s quality of life and overall functionality of their living space is diminished. And if you’re like many Americans, then what you know about hoarding is based on what you see on television. Read More
Q&A: Who Pays in a Delinquency?
We have an owner in our condominium association who is several months behind in his fees. He currently has a tenant in his unit. The association pays the bill for his water, sewage, pool and other amenities. Do we as an association have the right to take any of these amenities away from the renter, and would it be possible to have the renter pay his monthly rent to the association until the delinquency is resolved? Read More
