Big cities tend to be synonymous with pollution. With their high-rise buildings, it’s inevitable that there’s an abundance of radiant-emitting gas percolating in our air. And while New York City is ranked among top cities with the lowest percentage of commuters, and more than 54 percent of its residents opt for public transportation, its buildings alone produce 80 percent of the city’s greenhouse gas emissions. With the greenhouse effect being a continued obstacle in our air, the Greener Greater Buildings Plan is working on remedying that situation. Combining conservation efforts with technology, NYC can continue its mission to be a greener city.
Thankfully, the ever-evolving technology sphere has included devices in order offer a solution to our murky skies.
Programmable Thermostats
A major issue buildings deal with during colder months is excessive heating. Most buildings tend to crank up the heat high to reach every corner of the building and overheated residents open their windows for air circulation, thus turning the heat up becomes superfluous. However, with programmable thermostats, internal temperatures can be easily monitored using smart phones and computers to access an app that regulates the temperature according to the environment.
Insulation and Envelope
It may seem inconsequential, but something as simple as maintaining a properly sealed building can make a significant difference. Creating a tight and insulated envelope throughout the building in areas such as the roof, windows and foundations can contain heating and cooling within the building while still providing fresh air from the outdoors. If you want to make sure that air is circulating within your building without expending wasteful energy, it’s worthwhile to invest in these supplemental extensions.
Energy-efficient Windows
In a small, big way, these windows can also save on heating and air conditioning costs in the long run. While the initial expenditure is hefty, switching from single-pane windows to double-pane will ultimately reduce the amount of air that is escaping from the apartment and as a result, residents are less inclined to leave the HVAC on for longer periods of time. Additionally, tenants are less likely to have it cranked up high as the air remains within the space, heating and cooling the apartment comfortably and with ease.
LED Lights
Throw out the old ways and bring in the new. By using efficient lighting such as LED lights—in addition to utilizing as much as natural light as possible—conserving energy becomes that much easier. LED lights utilize less energy and are cooler than typical, incandescent lights. On top of it all, they actually tend to last longer. Pairing LED lights with smart bulbs increases how much energy is conserved by letting residents control the lighting through an app on their phone. Having remote access determines how much light is utilized and adjusting accordingly.
But having a technologically-advanced home isn’t the only way to maintain green habits. In 2010, NYC initiated the New York City Energy Conservation Code (NYCECC), which is a set of regulations that keep homeowners in check when planning renovations or new building projects. In order to verify whether the necessary requirements have been met, owners can refer to the Buildings Information System and stay posted on whether their application is in compliance with the NYCECC policies. As long as buildings are up to code and aren’t violating policies that are meant to conserve energy, there shouldn’t be an issue.
There is no planet B. As we step further into a cleaner future, remember that there are many ways to be conscientious of our environment.
