During a job interview, I was asked the question, “What does the term ‘sustainability’ mean to you?” Interviewing before the word became synonymous with its modern green-rooted definition, I took the question out of context, saying I would be a valuable asset to the company for many years to come. Feel free to have a good laugh at that one. Needless to say, I didn’t get the job, but I did learn more about how our choices can make a difference in the quality and preservation of the environment.
The recruiter was meaning that the company cares about environmentally conscious practices, including those of employees. That was a few years ago; now the shift toward sustainability in the workplace is expanding to a much wider array, specifically those who own the commercial spaces that house businesses. Making sustainable alternations can prove to be advantageous for owners of commercial properties. Below are five reasons why retrofitting your commercial property will likely play to your advantage and help in sustainability of your community overall.
Added Attraction
Being successful in any business, whether it is commercial real estate or managing a fast food restaurant, is largely based on differentiation. The key to setting your commercial property apart from the rest can be as simple as doing what is best for the environment. No one is saying you have to go out and remodel your entire building with eco-friendly and sustainable retrofits. The truth is, even the smallest alternation, like adding energy efficient appliances, can make a big difference. Other ideas, including installing Wi-Fi intuitive thermostats that monitor the heating/cooling levels of a building, arranging for recycling waste services at www.republicservices.com to pick up trash, or installing water conserving toilets in the bathroom, can go along way for eco-conscious businesses looking to rent from you.
Eco-Conscious Equals a Clear Conscience
Besides attracting a new breed of eco-conscious tenants, making sustainable retrofits to your commercial property will also give you the piece of mind to know that your own business practices are socially responsible and friendly to the environment. This can be a big plus for those with a nagging guilty conscience.
Improve Your Equity
At the very least, retrofitting your commercial building can increase its equity. With the current business emphasis on sustainability and “green” practices, altering your commercial space to become more sustainable will only increase its value. In a pinch, if you need to sell you property, surely someone will want to invest in a “green” building with eco-conscious facilities.
You Will be in Good Company
Not only is sustainability a growing trend for commercial properties around the country, but also, some of the biggest companies in the country. President Barack Obama has made a commitment to make the executive branch of the White House more sustainable. In addition, the president has introduced the Better Building Initiative that plans to reduce commercial building energy usage.
You May Soon Not Have a Choice
With Obama’s Better Building Initiative aiming at reducing commercial building energy usage, the decision of whether to improve the sustainability of your commercial building may not be voluntary for much longer. This plan proposes to make buildings 20 percent more efficient through cost-effective upgrades like a Wi-Fi activated thermostat. The Deep Energy Efficiency Pays (DEEP) incentive, and additional state and federal rebates, can be a good reason for owners of commercial properties to be more sustainable.
It is more than likely that there will be those commercial property owners that hold out on their sustainability, but as you can see, they may not have a choice much longer. So go for the gold and make the “green” choice. Making these improvements to your commercial space seems to be an obvious decision; it is good for the environment, and it is advantageous from a business perspective.
Bryan Ferguson: Bryan has worked with several celebrity entertainment blogs and sources, making him an expert on entertainment news. He also enjoys lacrosse and recently learned how to swim.
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