Utility Tracking and Benchmarking Blog | WegoBlog

At a launch event on February 6^th at the HUD regional office, WegoWise was on hand as Boston LISC unveiled their recently published guide for “Green & Healthy Property Management”.  The guide provides an incredible resource for affordable as well as market rate multifamily housing owners to explicitly define and apply green measures within their portfolios.  In this post, we’ll highlight the most important features of this publication, but encourage our readers to check it out in its entirety! 

At WegoWise, we’re always on the lookout for cutting edge energy efficiency initiatives happening across the United States and world.  That’s why today we’re excited to tell you about Architecture 2030, a non-profit organization committed to promoting the reduction of fossil fuel use in buildings.  Well ahead of the curve in 2002, Architecture 2030 issued the 2030 Challenge with an emphasis on spurring rapid innovation in the U.S. and global building sector.

Windows are often the bane of high performance buildings.  With low R-values and need for significant quality control to ensure proper installation, building gurus have long desired high efficiency glazing.  However, a remarkable new product has recently been developed in Europe and is now being brought to the North American market. The high tech GlassX window is an insulated glass assembly that incorporates a phase-change material (PCM) between two of the glass panes.  Read on to learn more!

With spring upon us, many start looking forward to the fresh organic vegetables they’ll be soon seeing from farms in their area.  As the localvore movement has grown, demand for locally grown food has exploded, which has led to farmers and consumers partnering in what’s known as community supported agriculture (CSA). Before this year's harvest season begins, WegoWise is here to offer you an overview of this popular way to access local veggies.

In 2005, Major League Baseball partnered with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) on the first league wide greening program in professional sports.  Since the launch of this partnership, nearly all MLB franchises have established numerous ballpark sustainability initiatives. To commemorate the start of the 2012 Major League Baseball season, Wegowise wants to give a tip of the hat to MLB franchises that are taking serious steps to reduce their ecological footprint.  Here’s a sampling of what a few of the most environmentally friendly baseball teams are doing to go green.

Often overshadowed by topics such as energy efficiency and water conservation, indoor air quality is increasingly entering the forefront of discussions around green building. What's being discovered is that our homes and apartments are often the source of a multitude of pollutants and allergens, which can lead to a startling number of short and long term health effects. Don't despair though, because WegoWise has some at home tips to remove indoor air pollution and make your home a healthier place to live in.

For many property owners wishing to make energy efficient upgrades to their buildings, the dream proves impossible due to a lack of upfront capital.  Even if they were able to secure a loan to pay for the upgrade, there would be no guarantee they’d be in their home long enough to see full payback and subsequent savings from the improvement.  This is where an emerging financing structure known as Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) loans enters the conversation.  These exploratory programs forge public-private partnerships that aim to spur investment in the energy efficiency of our built environment.

In its February 24th issue, the New England Real Estate Journal profiles WegoWise's partnership with the US Green Building Council to provide energy tracking for LEED for Homes multifamily certified buildings.  To read more, check out USGBC's Building Performance Partnership and Wegowise's LEED for Homes landing page.

For many, hearing the term waterless toilet likely conjures up an image of a smelly outhouse.  However, it might surprise you to know there are many of these toilets, better known as composting toilets, which do not smell at all and don’t use any H₂0.  “How could this even be possible?” you say.  Well lucky enough, Wegowise has got your back (side).  We’re going to give you the low down on how composting toilets work.

The majority of NFL fans probably attend games to see bone-crushing hits, gun-slinging quarterbacks and one-handed touchdown catches in the corner of the end zone.  However, beneath the surface many teams have high performing pieces that don’t simply include their player personnel.  Franchises across the league are increasingly realizing the benefits of sustainability and many are taking major steps towards greening the NFL.