See how Neyer is helping their clients save money through sustainable buildings

While new commercial projects have slowed or stalled for many developers, Neyer Properties has focused on the acquisition of existing buildings and redevelopment projects-- both of which have financial benefits and strong environmental benefits by themselves-- but when you add a LEED certified tag to it, you gain even more.

Making sustainable improvements to existing buildings adds value to the building and the surrounding community. Sustainable renovation strategies can help a building use 25% less energy, reduce water use by 50%, deplete fewer natural resources, and preserve infrastructure and green space compared with new construction and greenfield developments.

Renovating and redeveloping existing buildings extend the life cycle of a structure and is seen by many as a key factor in land conservation and reducing the amount of sprawl.
Ridge Pointe, for example, (the former K-Mart site on Ridge Road near Highland Avenue) is one of Neyer Properties' current mixed-use redevelopment projects. The overall master plan includes office 'flex' space in the old K-Mart building, which will be redeveloped into a new two-story medical office building that will be built to LEED standards.

Office space tenants will be able to walk to additional retail and restaurants at the Ridge Pointe site, which provides healthy exercise for them and eliminates the need to drive, further saving the environment by eliminating vehicle emissions.

Christ Hospital recently opened its new Imaging Center at the LEED Certified Red Bank Crossing II, an office building part of Neyer’s larger mixed-use redevelopment site on Red Bank Expressway. Christ Hospital began embracing sustainable building and operations practices about four years ago, and has saved an estimated 15 to 20 percent, or $1.5 to 2 million, since then. Utility costs were reduced by improving electrical and steam heating systems, eliminating paints and carpets containing VOCs, changing out light bulbs, installing waterless urinals and a drip irrigation system, as well as implementing recycling programs, says Rick Perkinson, director of facilities and maintenance at Christ Hospital.

“People are always concerned about the perceived cost to go green, but in our experience, a LEED Certified or Silver building will take less than a year to pay back any additional costs relative to certification,” said Jeff Chamot, development project manager and LEED AP at Neyer Properties. “This is a small upfront price to pay for an office where utility use and bills will be 20 to 50 percent less each year than in traditionally-built buildings.

“Achieving this level of payback does require a holistic approach, however,” he added. “Designing the project sustainably from day one, having the right team in place as far as architects, engineers and contractors, and knowing the LEED certification system well are all important. If you take a project that has already been designed and re-design it for LEED-certification, it will inevitably cost more than one to two percent.”

“We found that we’d hit on the best of two worlds,” says Dan Neyer, president of Neyer Properties. “Not only could we save energy and natural resources, and feel good about our contribution to sustainable living, but we could save our tenants money, too. That’s something everyone can relate to.”

Find out how much you can save by moving to a green office space by using our Green Savings Calculator on our new green webpage: www.Neyer1.com/green! There, you will also be able to learn more of the details that make a building or site sustainable by watching “A Golden Opportunity – Neyer’s solutions for green development.”

Jeff Chamot
Jchamot@neyer1.com

Learn about this and more at the Cincinnati Energy, Efficiency and the Environment Summit on OCTOBER 2, 2009 8AM-noon at the Duke Energy Center http://www.3esummitcincinnati.org/

Local Company Leading New Energy Economy

At a time when most business executives are playing defense by slashing R&D and capital expenditures, there is at least one local company that is playing offense by launching new products and services that cater to emerging markets. Melink Corporation (Milford, Ohio), a firm specializing in energy efficiency for commercial and institutional buildings, has formed a new business unit specializing in renewable energy. The purpose is to help owners reduce their energy costs and carbon footprint by 50% or more and strategically position them as winners in the growing energy economy. Their new business unit is specifically focused on what it considers the most promising renewable energy technologies, ie. those having the greatest potential to go mainstream within the next 5 years. According to Melink these are geothermal heat pumps, solar photo-voltaics (PV), and low-wind turbines. Geothermal heat pumps are for space heating and cooling as well as water heating. They are up to 50% more energy efficient than conventional air conditioning systems and gas furnaces and boilers. The reason this technology has not yet gone mainstream is its incremental first cost. But with growing awareness of the energy savings along with a new 10% federal tax credit, this is about to change. Therefore, Melink is investing in the education and training necessary to become a regional expert in commercial geothermal design and commissioning services. Solar PV systems are for generating electricity from sunlight. They can be roof or ground-mounted and tied directly into the building electrical system to reduce the kW demand and kWh usage. This technology has also not yet gone mainstream because of its first cost. But with an 8-year extension of the 30% federal tax credit, as well as a state grant, accelerated depreciation, and a possible rebate from the local utility, this is also about to change. Therefore, Melink has become a contract manufacturer of Chinese solar modules and is positioning itself as a regional distributor and project developer of medium and large-scale solar power plants. In addition it is developing a small 1 and 2kW pre-engineered system for the residential and light commercial markets. Wind turbines are for generating electricity from wind when the sun isn’t shining. They can be located in business parks, college campuses, farms, and other sites where local zoning permits. Like solar PV systems, they can be tied directly into the building electrical system to reduce the kWh usage. And like solar PV systems, the incentives can be significant. Therefore, Melink has become the exclusive distributor of a Swiss engineered 6.5 kW wind turbine that is designed for low-wind conditions like that which exists in Southwest Ohio. Not only is it efficient at low wind speeds, it serves as a beautiful and inspiring feature for a company’s employees and customers. Steve Melink, President of Melink Corporation, states, “We have demonstrated that a business can truly reduce its building energy costs 50% or more compared to the average. In fact our headquarters is a near-zero energy facility and we have one of the most comfortable and productive work environments of any office in the State of Ohio. “This leads to benefits that go above and beyond the energy savings,” says Steve. “The HR benefit of being able to attract and retain the best and brightest people because of our green building and green mission is invaluable. And the PR benefit of being held up as a leader in the new energy economy is doubly invaluable. These benefits improve the top and bottom line in multiple ways.” Jennifer Sivak jsivak@melinkcorp.com Learn more about Melink and other Company's that are succeeding in the current environment at the Cincinnati 3E Summit - 10.2.09 - http://www.3esummitcincinnati.org/

Clean Energy Jobs in Ohio - Pew Report

http://www.pewcenteronthestates.org/uploadedFiles/Clean_Economy_Report_Web.pdf  

The Pew charitable trust has put out a study on the current jobs and future jobs by state from the clean economy.  The study has been highlighted by a number of politicians in the state, Ohio was one of the top 5 for new jobs.  The study highlights the potential for new development in the renewable energy and energy efficiency.  If you think about the potential to cut the cost that all of us pay for carbon resources, and putting those funds into projects that will put Ohioans to work, the potential to put people to work and build the how economy could be phenomenal.  

What do you think, will a carbon restrained economy be a boon or bust for your Company?  

See how local Company's are ensuring that they succeed at the Cincinnati 3E Summit.  www.3esummitCincinnati.org 

Introduction to the Cincinnati 3E Summit Blog!

Join us this summer for an exciting series of articles from local leaders about opportunities for your organization to go green, reduce energy and waste costs, and meet consumer and supplier expectations brought to you by the Cincinnati Energy, Efficiency and the Environment Summit (3E Summit). The 3E Summit is an educational and networking outreach of the City’s climate action plan designed to show local business, educational, non-profit and religious leaders that healthy business practices can be healthy for your organizations bottom line.
Smart leaders throughout the region recognize the opportunities that the ‘Green Revolution’ offers to their organization. Throughout the summer join us for a series of articles on everything from financing your green projects through tax incentives to what consumers expect from their suppliers so that you can keep your business ahead of the curve.
In addition to helping to educate the local business community, the 3E Summit aims to be the regions foremost green marketplace bringing together local businesses and organizations to create valuable partnerships. If you have an article you would like to suggest or a product or service you would like to let people know about, please post it on this blog or let the blog-master know so that we can obtain more submissions.

So stay tuned for this summer of green learning, topics may include the following:
· Tax incentives to finance your green business or project
· Paying for energy efficiency projects for your business
· Legal risks of climate change
· Programs available from Duke Energy to help you cut your utility bills
· Green buildings – what are they and what are the benefits?
· Geothermal projects to reduce your heating and cooling bills
· Waste reduction in manufacturing to reduce costs
· Green roofs – what are they and what are the benefits?
· Green IT – reducing your Company’s Information Technology operating costs at all levels
· The basics of how to calculate your Company’s carbon footprint
· Reducing the cost and carbon footprint of your vehicle fleet
· The Green attributes that large Company’s and government agency’s expect from their suppliers

So stay tuned for these and other exciting topics, and don’t forget to register for the Cincinnati 3E Summit on October 2nd, 2009 at the Duke Energy Center.