Reduce Your Carbon Footprint with Manhattan Green Condominiums
New York green condominiums with innovative, energy-saving designs and features that reduce each persons carbon footprint are no longer an idea for future generations. Some Manhattan green condominiums”especially some East Village condos”have gone green not only because it is the right thing to do, but also because going green saves an entirely different type of green. The type of green referenced here makes a direct impact on personal and corporate bottom lines and greases the wheels of change like no lubricant developed by industrial science.
This transformation in how we interact with and use the finite resources of our planet has also led to a new type of nomenclature with terms like LEED development, LEED condominium and LEED certification competing for position in real estate ads with other pertinent information about the property.
What is a LEED Condominium?
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building rating system has made it easier for progressive, environmentally-conscious people to make informed purchasing decisions about New York green condos. LEED certification promotes a comprehensive, whole-building approach to sustainable living by recognizing performance and improvements in five essential areas of human and environmental health:
Sustainable site development Water savings Energy efficiency Environmentally-responsible materials selection Indoor environmental quality
What to Look for in Manhattan Green Condominiums
Those who wish to reduce their carbon footprint and still enjoy the pleasures and amenities of owning an East Village condominium can have it both ways by purchasing a unit in one of the LEED developments there and in other Manhattan green condos. First off, they should look for New York green condominium buildings that are designed from the ground up to reduce energy consumption without sacrificing amenities and livability.
Lets start with the lobby and common areas throughout the building. New York green condominium buildings should be designed, built and oriented to maximize the amount of natural light coming into the building itself and the individual units. Fresh outside air should circulate in the lobby, hallways, fitness facilities, and other common areas to improve air quality and reduce stale air that contributes to respiratory ailments.
The building should provide secure bicycle storage on the ground floor and be within easy walking distance of major bus and subway lines. Additionally, savvy Manhattan green condo shoppers should expect that the buildings shared spaces are heated and cooled with geothermal energy which significantly reduces energy consumption (and their monthly condo association dues). In-house recycling receptacles should be easily accessible and their use should be promoted through signage and other reminders.
Moving into the individual Manhattan green condo units, environmentally-conscious real estate buyers should seek out high-efficiency HVAC systems for climate control and disregard older buildings heated by wasteful boiler systems. They should look for double-insulated windows which reduce heating and cooling costs and also cut down on outside noise pollution in their home. Water-conserving fixtures, faucets and appliances should be installed in the condos kitchen, bathrooms and vanities, and every appliance should be energy-efficient with fridges and freezers cooled by refrigerant which does not contain Freon. Exposed flooring should be crafted from bamboo or wood that has been certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for sustainable harvesting. Floors, walls and ceilings should be coated with paints, sealants and other coatings which contain no”or very low amounts of”VOCs (Volatile Organic Chemicals) to eliminate allergenic and odor-based irritants.
LEED condominium buildings should have green roofs with systems that recover rainwater for other uses, provide natural insulation to reduce energy consumption in the coldest and hottest months, and reduce the heat island effect which traps heat and increases energy usage in large urban areas. Also look for small wind generators on the buildings roof which produce energy and drastically reduce carbon dioxide emissions through reduced energy consumption.
It must be said that green condominiums in New York and elsewhere cost a little more to build and purchase than condos in older buildings built in less-enlightened times. But any extra expense upfront is trivial when owners consider the bigger picture. What is more, this investment becomes very smart money management over time as Manhattan green condo owners realize significant savings on utility bills through the reduced energy consumption that their property provides. So if youre in the market for an East Village condo or a green condominium in another part of New York, look for condo buildings with LEED certification to reduce your carbon footprint, live green and save some green!
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