Our Energy Audit on the ACAR building was facilitated and completed in June by Eco Edge and a detailed report was delivered to the Task Force in July.
Our first meeting’s focus with Sharon Patterson of Eco Edge was to develop a sustainability policy for ACAR with the intent to communicate to membership, staff and clients a commitment to improving environmental, social and economic sustainability over time through specific goals and objectives.
Our green sustainability policy is designed to work in tandem with ACAR’s Mission Statement to ensure that we are promoting responsible property development while protecting private property rights. Our sustainability policy states:
The Ada County Association of REALTORS® is committed to setting an example of environmental and social responsibility for the real estate profession and the public in Ada County with observance to the protection of private property rights for all. This commitment to sustainability starts with our office and extends to our membership and the community. We will provide members with education on the value of sustainable properties and green buildings and with the tools and resources to conduct their businesses in a more environmentally responsible manner that betters the communities in which we live.
Our next two meetings focused on digesting the results, and deciding what recommendations we felt were the most important to tackle. The process involves assigning Project Champions for each task, to research costs, vendors, possible grant money, and execution.
The recommendations and tasks at hand include correcting disconnected ducts, correcting distribution of insulation in attic, installation of carbon monoxide detectors, considering bathroom occupancy sensors, replacing cleaning products with products that meet GreenSeal criteria, replacing kitchen products with recycled products, purchasing alternative drinks, replacing lights with CFL and apply for a grant with Idaho Power to replace the fluorescent lighting. We have only just begun, but it is a great start to make our building better and more efficient.
You may have noticed we now have a Green Tip on our e-bulletins, too!
Our Green Task Force is to be commended for their work and dedication: thank you to Alicia Ralston, Alicia Reinhard, Holly Tastad-Pozel, Jan Higginbotham, Jill Giese, Jody Hinton, Judy Luce, Karyn Williams, Lydia Richards, Tempe McFarlane and from ACAR staff, Susan Hansen.
Laurie Barrera, REALTOR®, GREEN, EcoBroker Certified
2009 Green Task Force Chair
Thursday, October 1, 2009
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