Page 8 - New England Condominium November 2021
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8 NEW ENGLAND CONDOMINIUM   -NOVEMBER 2021    NEWENGLANDCONDO.COM  also more accessible than before. A VFD   is essentially a mechanical device that   controls the way the piece of equipment   attached to it operates, allowing it to be   run on demand rather than continuously,   which reduces consumption and operat-  ing costs. New equipment already comes   with this feature, but VFDs can also be in-  stalled on existing equipment to improve   efficiency.”  Greener Pastures, Greener Buildings  Global warming and its effects are a   major concern for the real estate indus-  try today, and will remain so into the   foreseeable future. Many localities have   enacted or are phasing in new regulations   and requirements to reduce greenhouse   gases and carbon footprints. This trend   will change the way we heat and cool our   homes.  “One  of  the  main  emergent trends  is   electrification,” says Resnick, “and there   is a big push for it. This rings true for   both New York and Florida markets. In   Florida, most properties are already pri-  marily  electric.  As  the  grid  gets  greener   and greener, electricity is the cleanest fuel   source compared to natural gas, oil, and   even steam. This push results in electric   technologies being developed and imple-  mented—heat pumps, water heaters, and   other  electric  equipment  help us move  both a money saver and a control on your  backs to specific users. Another option   away from other fuel sources.”   Resnick goes on to say that “a  major  personal level.   contributor to emissions is heating and   cooling. Based on the work we’ve done  trend nationwide, if not worldwide, is the  provide deeded spaces, one unit one spot,   with our clients and boards, we’re seeing  transition away from internal combus-  a  major  increase  in  demand  for  replac-  ing gas-fired chillers and heating equip-  ment with something   modular like electric   chillers, or even sepa-  rate gas-fired boilers,   which all reduce ener-  gy consumption com-  pared to traditional   gas-fired  chillers.  Advantages of this in-  clude ease of installa-  tion—these are small   units  that  are very   easy to install, versus   having one huge piece   of equipment that is   difficult to get in and   out of your property.”   Ray Locicero, an   engineer with Rand   Engineering,  based  in New York, adds, “The technology for  residents. The first thing we consider is if  ing demand for electric vehicle support   heat pump systems isn’t new, but more  there is enough power in building for the  infrastructure on-site.   are being installed. New accessories, like  stations, and then who is paying for the   WiFi-enabled control, are very popular. A  power. Making these charges a common   lot of units have the ability to utilize this  expense is unpopular. It’s more equitable  systems today is in response to the loom-  technology. It connects to your WiFi and  to go with a pay-per-use arrangement.  ing long-term effects of climate change,   you set a schedule for its use,” which is  Charges can be segregated with charge-  building’s carbon footprint at the most  is a swipe-and-go card system where the   Another up-and-coming technology  lem is with parking spaces.  How do you   tion engine vehicles to electric. Electric  but many more units? How do you man-  vehicles are cleaner and quieter, but they  age it?  Do people share them? If you   do require easy  have a garage, it’s easier to manage this   accessibility  to  electric charging  the pressing question above all is whether   stations. “There’s  there is enough power, and what it takes   a big demand,”  to bring it in \[if not\].”  says Scott Wolf,   CEO  of  BRIGS,  a  hicles and, in turn, the demand for more   real estate man-  agement  firm  based in Boston.  vehicles, there is a bigger push for build-  “It’s the way of the  ings to provide the infrastructure to sup-  future—so how do  port those residents, and there are many   you provide this?  incentives that encourage the installation   We are looking at  of the ports and make it attainable and af-  how to retrofit our  fordable for buildings.”   properties  with  electric  charg-  ing systems while  be smart to start thinking now—if it hasn’t   keeping the costs  already—about how  well-positioned its   fair to all for the  building or association is to meet grow-  user gets charged directly. Another prob-  if say you only have ten charging stations   because you have the infrastructure—but   Resnick agrees. “The rise of electric ve-  charging stations  in  buildings  is worth   noting. As more people purchase electric   According to the pros, a forward-  thinking board-management team would   Practical & Unexpected  While most innovation in building   some new technologies are more closely   directory.newenglandcondo.com  Your one source for all the businesses and   services essential to your   condo or HOA  NEW ENGLAND CONDOMINIUM  DIRECTORY OF   BUILDING SERVICES  Search by location:  TRENDS IN MULTI...  continued from page 1  “As more people   buy electric vehicles,    there is a bigger   push for buildings   to provide the   infrastructure   to support those   residents.”         — Matt Resnick


































































































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