CREW Orange County and Green Econome present Connections 2024 Outlook Lunch and Learn

Please join us on Wednesday, January 10, 2024, for lunch, learning, and networking at Tangram Interiors' beautiful space in Newport Beach. Green Econome CEO, Marika Erdely will be discussing:

  • What you need to know about energy and water disclosure laws for existing buildings.
  • Critical insight into ESG and its impact on commercial real estate.
  • Available utility incentives and tax benefits of the Inflation Reduction Act for new development, renovations, and efficiency upgrades.

Space is limited. Registration is required and closes on January 9, 2024 at noon. We hope to see you there!

CREW Connections 2024 Outlook Lunch and Learn

Wednesday, January 10th
12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Tangram Interiors
1375 Dove Street, Suite 300
Newport Beach, CA 92660

During National Clean Energy Action Month, take steps toward climate action for your commercial real estate.

Since our inception, the U.S. EPA’s ENERGY STAR® programs have been at the core of Green Econome’s services to help our customers save energy, save money, and protect the planet. As a commercial real estate owner or manager, you have the power to make a positive impact on the environment and your bottom line. October is National Clean Energy Action Month, a perfect time to take action and implement energy-efficient practices in your buildings. One of the best ways to start is through ENERGY STAR benchmarking and certification.

ENERGY STAR is a program by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that helps businesses and individuals save money and protect the environment by promoting energy-efficient products and practices. Through benchmarking, you can compare your building's energy performance to similar buildings and identify areas for improvement. Certification, on the other hand, recognizes buildings that meet strict energy efficiency standards and have lower energy costs and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. By using ENERGY STAR benchmarking and certification, you can reap numerous benefits for your buildings and your business.

Top 5 Reasons for Clean Energy Action

Comply with Local and State Energy Benchmarking and Building Performance Policy

Cities and states nationwide are adopting climate action plans, which in many cases include annual ENERGY STAR benchmarking to track energy and water use and building performance standards to reduce GHG emissions across their existing building stock. Often ENERGY STAR certification is an exemption from having to perform costly audits, retro-commissioning, and efficiency improvements.

Lower Energy Costs

Energy-efficient buildings consume less energy and therefore have lower energy bills. According to ENERGY STAR, certified buildings use 35% less energy and emit 35% less carbon dioxide than typical buildings. By benchmarking your building's energy performance, you can identify ways to reduce energy waste and save money in the long run.

Higher Property Value

ENERGY STAR certification is a badge of honor that can increase your building's value and appeal to potential tenants or buyers. Certified buildings are more attractive to environmentally conscious tenants who prefer to work or live in sustainable spaces. Moreover, building certifications are being used as ESG targets and requirements by tenant companies, REITs, and investment firms.

Improved Indoor Comfort

Energy-efficient buildings are not only good for the environment and your wallet, but also for the health and comfort of occupants. By reducing energy waste, you can improve indoor air quality, reduce noise levels, and enhance thermal comfort. This can result in higher productivity, better health outcomes, and happier occupants.

Positive Public Relations

Implementing energy-efficient practices and achieving ENERGY STAR certification can improve your business's public image and reputation. You can promote your achievements to your stakeholders, customers, and the media, and showcase your commitment to sustainability and energy conservation.

Join us this month in celebrating the progress made, and more importantly, taking steps to further the clean energy transition needed to sustain our future. Take a moment, gather your team, and discuss with purpose what changes and goals you can commit to in 2024 and beyond. When you have the vision, take action. Call (424) 422-9696 or Contact Us. Talk to you soon!

About Green Econome

Green Econome is a woman-owned, small business providing energy and water efficiency compliance, consulting, and construction services for commercial real estate. Our Los Angeles-based team of licensed and credentialed professionals takes an integrated approach to finding efficiency solutions that positively affect market valuations, reduce environmental impact, meet ESG and sustainability goals, and ensure regulatory compliance.

What does the Reissued A/RCx Notice mean and why is it wonderful?

Recently, the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) released a notice that they will allow building owners with the reissued A/RCx due date of September 7, 2023, to meet exemption with 2023 ENERGY STAR Certification, which previously they had not. This comes after Green Econome had advocated for the move on behalf of our EBEWE clients whose buildings are eligible for certification but leveraged the tolled deadlines afforded under the COVID emergency order. We feel it is fair for high-performing buildings to be exempt from the A/RCx report, and beneficial to the EBEWE program and the city at large to increase the number of ENERGY STAR Certified buildings throughout Los Angeles.

In plain English, there are many building owners that have not complied with EBEWE Phase II. Their understanding was that the entire program was ‘tolled’ or suspended while the COVID-19 Emergency Order was in place.

One of Mayor Bass’ initial efforts was to release this Emergency Order which also released the tolling of EBEWE Phase II deadlines.

Notices were recently sent out to buildings ending with Building IDs of 0, 1, 2, or 3 that the tolling was lifted and they were required to meet the compliance requirements. However, this lifting did not allow buildings to be ENERGY STAR certified as the window had passed if you didn’t conduct this certification the year it was required.

As you may know, we are big advocates of the available energy and water exemptions and ENERGY STAR Certification is Energy Exemption #1. Buildings must be eligible for this certification identified in the ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager® software with an ENERGY STAR score of 75 and above. The ENERGY STAR scoring is from 1- 100 with 100 being the most energy efficient.

Along with this score, the property must have three tests conducted and verified by a licensed PE or Architect. The tests measure indoor air ventilation (quality), thermal comfort, and illumination (lighting). These test scores are then sent in an application to the EPA, which reviews the documentation and either approves or disapproves the samplings.

Why should you have your building ENERGY STAR Certified? Well besides having a nice blue decal on the entrance to your property advertising what a great building you own and operate, it has been proven by BOMA, CoStar, and others that ENERGY STAR Certified properties have higher sales prices and lease rates and lower vacancy rates.

So for those of you who want to invest in your properties, this is a wise investment! Contact us at (424) 422-9696 for information and a free quote for this certification. Please do not delay, especially if you are complying with the 9/1/23 deadline. Certification can take 2-3 months to complete.

About Green Econome

Green Econome is a woman-owned, small business providing energy and water efficiency compliance, consulting, and construction services for commercial real estate. Our Los Angeles-based team of licensed and credentialed professionals takes an integrated approach to finding efficiency solutions that positively affect market valuations, reduce environmental impact, meet ESG and sustainability goals, and ensure regulatory compliance.

Marika Erdely Headshot

Marika Erdely is the founder and CEO of Green EconoME. Before founding the company, she was CFO/VP at New Millennium Homes, a major home builder, and land developer, bringing with her nearly thirty years as an accounting professional. Marika has her Contractors License B & C-10 and is a LEED AP BD+C, Certified Energy Auditor, and Fitwel Ambassador. Marika holds an MBA from Pepperdine University and a BA in Business Economics from UCSB.