Utility Tracking and Benchmarking Blog | WegoBlog

I consider myself a pretty crafty guy, and as both a DIY-er and someone who cares about the impact I have on the environment,  “green DIY” is a term that I care about and identify with.  That’s why I get frustrated when, say, researching a blog post on green DIY leads me to post after post of can-tab bracelets and up-cycled mason jars.  While it’s true that up-cycled craft projects often make good use of post-consumer materials, true green DIY involves more than just a cute idea for reusing your old crocs. 

Green, Sustainable, Eco-Friendly?--How about Responsible? 
In the jumble of buzzwords that get tagged on to projects that incorporate elements of responsible design, what we should care about is just that: responsibility.   Truly green projects are those that, considering all aspects of a project, make design choices that prioritize the environment and human health along with form, function, and budget.  That’s why I encourage you to take a more holistic approach to your green crafting.  For inspiration, consider the case of green-building standards.

 
In a green-building rating system, such as the USGBC's LEED, project teams are awarded points for incorporating environmentally-conscious best practices into each aspect of their project.  Starting with the design of the final product, to the selection of raw materials, and continuing through the construction techniques and final finishes, project teams seeking certification points need to consider each element of their project to ensure that sustainable principles inform each stage of the project.  

This has been a tragic week for the Boston area. We would like to send our support to all of our readers and customers who live in the area. When we wrote this blog post, we were excited for the marathon; many of our team members went there to cheer people on. Fortunately, none of them were injured. Despite the unpleasant and dramatic events outside our doors, we're determined to continue doing the work we love.

Last week, I had my first energy audit experience for my apartment in Cambridge. As an employee of WegoWise, a company focused on helping property managers improve energy efficiency in buildings across the country, I’ve often wondered how I can improve my own apartment aside from my personal energy saving habits. My auditor friend informed me of a free energy audit opportunity called Mass Save for NStar customers. I took her up on the offer and here is how it went:

Whether you're networking over some Green Drinks or schmoozing with your in-laws, you're going to need something to talk about this weekend, and WegoWise has got you covered.  For our new talking points series we're combing the internet to give you a primer on the latest energy, sustainability, and technological trends so that you can burn off a Friday afternoon, recharge your list of talking points, and go into your weekend with a fresh take on familiar conversations.

Whether you're looking to become a more informed citizen, kill some time on a Friday, or check out a funny video of a dog, WegoWise has got you covered.  Check out this week's links for some neat photos, interesting thoughts on LED bulbs, and perhaps the greatest GIF of them all.

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! 

Trying to stay warm is perpetually on the minds of New Englanders during the winter months (or at least those native to more southern states). However, climate change considerations and heating bills keep many of us from cranking up the thermostat. While the occasional jumping jacks in your apartment can help stave off the shivers, there are other options to maximize energy efficiency while keeping your home or apartment cozy when temperatures drop below freezing.

Whether you're looking to become a more informed citizen, or just trying to kill some time before 5 on a Friday, WegoWise has got you covered!  Superbowl weekend is upon us and depending on the level of your fandom, that might entail anything from a weekend of hype, shouting, and nachos to overhearing Jon Stewart talk about the winner on Monday.  Either way, you should be happy to hear that the organizers of Superbowl XLVII are aiming for this to be the most sustainable Superbowl yet.  What with this being the most-watched and highest-profile few hours of television of the year, we're excited to see green features integrated into the planning of this massive event.  So peruse our best links, leave us some feedback, and be sure to share any interesting new info you learn with other interested parties at the parties you're hopefully attending this weekend.  Brought to you by Catherine, Casey, Joanna, Sam and Adam.

Whether you want to be a more informed citizen, or just want to kill some time on a Friday before 5, WegoWise has got you covered!  You've got apps for making faux-polaroids, apps for flinging birds, and apps for finding restaurants, but do you have any apps that are saving you energy?  Here are a few apps for your smartphone that will help you green up your pocket-warmer.  So peruse our best links, give us some feedback, and be sure to share some of the information you've learned with other interested parties at the parties you're hopefully attending this weekend. Brought to you by Catherine, Casey, Joanna, Sam and Adam.