Sustainable Living
The 'GREEN' Page
As part of our philosophy of Premier Community Citizenship, RE/MAX is committed to the sustainability and environmental well-being of the communities worldwide in which our real estate professionals work and live. - RE/MAX Green Philosophy
GREEN is not about a buzz word, being politically correct, the current trends or a new movement. GREEN is a way of life. It is important to the environment, our personal health and to our pocket book.
This page is designed to help you make the most of your efforts to be GREEN. It is designed to show you cost effective ways to improve your quality of life, your community and our world. I urge you to contact me if you want to talk GREEN!.
- REMODELING? For some general remodeling tips, the National Association of Remodeling Industry has an informative website. To determine how our local market will value your remodeling efforts, call me and I will get you market analysis.
- NEW APPLIANCES? A start to remodeling can begin when appliances fail or are past their prime efficiency. There are so many makes and models to choose from, it can be confusing. Energy Star appliances are rated so you know the price of the item AND the average cost to operate it. Since appliances can last for a long time and they are used daily, it is wise to analyze which one will best serve your needs and fit your budget.
- Green Product Ideas? Consumer's Report has published a list: 'Greener Choices'
- LOCAL & STATE GREEN PROGRAMS? Visit the State of Colorado's Governor's Energy Office for a host of ideas, programs, incentives, rebates, energy conservation, and more! More Info...
The City of Fort Collins promotes an entire program of sustainable efforts, having championed GREEN Initiatives for the past 10 years. In December 2008, the City Council adopted the new Climate Action Plan. The City's Sustainability Resource (2011). More Info... Also, for Energy and Conservation Tips you can use right now...
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Sustainable Living as a lifestyle? GenGreen, an internationally known organization is based right here in Northern Colorado.
"The goal of GenGreen is to be the most comprehensive and diverse resource available for people looking to live a locally-focused, environmentally conscious lifestyle. This is accomplished through our network GenGreenLife.com where we have over 40,000 listings to help you live your green life."
- Information on Energy Tax Credits? More Info...
A Note about Carbon Monoxide (CO) Detectors
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, tasteless gas that causes death by asphyxiation, preventing a person from receiving adequate oxygen. A clear definition and information is available from a broad list of organizations, such as the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) or the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). You may have heard mention of it in the National Safety Council’s National Preparedness announcments. It is a leading cause of accidental death across the country.
As of July 1, 2009, a new Colorado law requires carbon monoxide detectors in residential rental properties, and home properties on the market for sale:
- With HB 09-1091 carbon monoxide detectors will be required in any new or existing single family dwelling or dwelling unit of an existing multi-family dwelling offered for sale or transfer on or after July 1, 2009, that has a fuel burning heater,appliance, fireplace, or an attached garage.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends that every home should have a carbon monoxide (CO) alarm. Please review these reliable sources and consider at least one detector in your home.
A Message from the Executive Director of Fort Collins Utilities
Help make efficient choices with energy & money saving efforts
Brian Janonis
In 2007, the city of Fort Collins took on a formidable opponent: global climate change. That decision provides a foundation to transform this city into a leading sustainability city in America. Beyond a title, the value is immeasurable in terms of protecting a local and global environment, community and economy well beyond today.
Clearly, this points us in the right direction to tackle some critical needs now, address serious and urgent global climate issues, reduce energy and water usage on a permanent basis citywide, and help the city reach its energy and water conservation goals.
Fort Collins Utilities is well positioned to help lead this effort. Throughout our history, we have been forward thinking in our determination to create and follow a course of action to ensure our management systems and electric, water, wastewater and stormwater services remain high quality and reliable, meet the needs of our community, and help to reduce our costs and protect our environment through conservation programs.
To draw attention to the power of individual conservation actions that together help the entire community, Utilities has developed a comprehensive public outreach campaign, Fort Collins Conserves.
Launched in 2009, the campaign is directed to our residential customers who can take small steps that make a big difference in terms of saving energy, water and money. We hope you have seen our ads in the local newspaper; on billboards, bus benches, shelters and buses; in your monthly utilities bill and at various Utilities events.
You may have seen the promotion from Fort Collins Conserves: Make efficient choices
The takeaway is this: By combining home efficiency choices, a home can feel more comfortable, perform better, use less energy and water, and save customers money.
Underlying our Fort Collins Conserves campaign are some serious goals that can have a lasting impact including:
Ø To balance Fort Collins Utilities' current and future needs with conservation of environmental resources by continually improving the services we provide while minimizing environmental impacts of our operations.
Ø To continually analyze additional water conservation on Utilities' treatment processes, water quality and customer rates.
Ø To ensure Utilities' electric energy practices and customer service programs underscore carbon reduction goals and align with industry best practices while continuing to maintain reliability of our distribution system.
Ø To provide educational and community outreach programs designed to engage community members in conservation of water and electric resources, which help customers save money and reduce water and energy demand of our community and globally.
The extent of our success in reaching these goals depends on how we operate and deliver services. It depends on how customers can help their community and themselves conserve in a resource-constrained environment where the drivers from reducing greenhouse gases to using and offering more renewable energy sources are growing stronger.
