Chris Matt - All Comments

re: What Does Scott Brown's Victory Mean for Environmental Legislation?

Ed Humble — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 15:40:01 GMT

The biggest problem for Cap & Trade, HealthCare are the rest of the Obama agenda is: JOBS.

Unless the public loses their fear of the pink slip, they flat don't care about the Obama-Democrat agenda. No sane private business owner is going to hire knowing his heathcare and energy expenses may skyrocket at the whims of Congress.

Pursuing anything but a viable jobs creation plan is putting a knife to their throats. Right now the majority of America is ready to push-in and pull that knife.

Anything that looks like an additional expense or a jobs killer is DOA in the public mind.

Need Proof? So far Obama is 0 for three in helping elect Democrats in states he carried by wind margins in 2008.

If I was them, I'd wake up and smell the coffee.

Actually I really hope they don't.

re: Historic Buildings: Energy Efficient or Energy Hogs?

SSASHWORTH — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:17:51 GMT

In the preservation community, we like to say that the greenest building is the one that's already been built. In an age when environmental accountability is an emerging giant in our social consciousness, it's often up to preservation professionals to lead teams of architects, engineers, and construction/facilities managers to make decisions which mediate the impact of the built environment on the natural environment.

An Environmental Audit for an existing building will usually result in a Top Ten list of things that can be accomplished immediately and at moderate cost. These are basic 'housekeeping' sorts of tasks like vapor barrier in the crawl space or closing up penetrations in walls, floors, and ceilings. The Audit will also identify areas of hazard that can impact the health and welfare of the occupants over time.

If the property owner/manager is interested in renewable resource systems - including stormwater capture and waste water reclamation - those systems can be integrated in ways that are aesthetically pleasing as well as functionally efficient. The tax credits currently available from state and federal governments can be brokered in ways that make renewables available even for non-profits!

In addition, expect to see cost of utilities decline as much as 70%, month in and month out, over the life of the equipment, 25 - 30 years. Imagine the programming (outreach) that could be funded with those cost savings!

It's just good stewardship of our human, financial, and environmental resources.

Think of where BTU's (British Thermal Units) are stored in your facilities right now. They are intentionally kept in the water heater. How did they get there? "You" paid somebody (oil, gas, electric) good money to put the BTU's in the tank. If your pipes and tank are not wrapped, those BTU's - that you already paid for - are drifting out into the crawl space, basement, or attic. When you call for hot water, gallons may flush down the drain before 'hot' finally arrives at the tap - another 'cost' for poorly managed resources. There are cost-efficient ways to effectively manage water usage as well. Of course, change out that 'oil, gas, electric' for 'free' solar energy, whether solar domestic hot water or photovoltaics.

Let me know if you want more information on all this.

I can help.

re: How Do You Justify Investing in Sustainable Technologies?

John Cockerill — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 20:00:32 GMT

One has to be curious. varification is difficult as it has only become fashionable since last years push, and the hope that the President is not just another monopolist.

Government has not spent it's testing dollars on the most efficient current options. "It will be left to the marketplace to decide." That was a huge mistake or deception to avoid real progress.

You r left with a desert full of sand and you will have to look for your solution. Fortunately most of the solutions are out there. You must look at them, make your own decision, and commit to try them. Don't wait for Harry to do it. You'll never get it done.

The prize in energy conservation and sustainability will go to those who look hard, study deep, and try things.

It alwats was, and it will continue. Your choice is to be an early adopter and to follow through to make it work.

It's like losing weight, and learning. It's hard work. The rewards are there for the taking.

re: Sears Tower Getting a Green Facelift

Chris Matt — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:54:07 GMT

I updated the article link in the blog. The new article states it will be about a five-year project and could begin next spring. Thanks for the comment.

Chris

re: Sears Tower Getting a Green Facelift

Kully Supply — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 14:26:06 GMT

interesting - wonder what the timeline is? thanks for sharing.

re: Historic Buildings: Energy Efficient or Energy Hogs?

John Cockerill — Sat, 02 May 2009 15:57:20 GMT

Most of the old buildings were designed well for coal fired heat. What is needed is to heat them as designed by taming the new equipment to the design of the system. That is what I do for old buildings. They are comfortable and the systems work well. The next challenge is to retain the heat loss within safe Air Quality Standards. Thgat can be done by retarding the heat loss with improvements to a point just above the air quality standards. If Fressh air heat exchange can be accomplished at the same tme, then all the better. For most buildings properly replacing the piping insulation will go along way from the starting line.

re: Managing Storm Water Surfaces in Green Discussions

Chris Matt — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 18:56:40 GMT

Hi Mitch:

I sent you an e-mail a few moments ago in response to your comment. Thanks again for your interest.

Chris

re: Managing Storm Water Surfaces in Green Discussions

mitchs — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 21:39:03 GMT

Chris,

I am currently working to ID eco assset management initiatives (stormwater..) that are measureable and provide a ROI. We have a decision support application that ID and measures asset deterioration / condition and determines invetsment requirements as a function of condition. Questions...

1. How / Is stormwater managed?

2. Is it a mesureable asset?

3. Who is the beneficiary of the savings if the application ID the greateset ROI of the asset?

4. Who would tis be marketed to?

www.mactecflg.com

Thank you.

re: Managing Storm Water Surfaces in Green Discussions

Chris Matt — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:49:20 GMT

Hi John:

Thanks for the comment. There's an association Web site I think can provide you with a great deal of information on pervious pavement. If you visit the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association - www.nrmca.org/aboutconcrete - there are helpful links on the right side of the page, including a site dedicated to pervious pavement.

Also, I found a document that discusses the freeze-thaw performance of pervious pavement, to answer your second question. The document highlights real-world applications of the product at commercial facilities. If you have further questions, feel free to send me an e-mail as well. Thanks.

Here's the (long) link to the PDF:

www.nrmca.org/aboutconcrete/Pervious%20Concrete%20-%20-%20Freeze-Thaw%20Durability%20per%20NRMCA.pdf

Chris

re: Managing Storm Water Surfaces in Green Discussions

John Christoffersen — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 19:05:43 GMT

I really want to know more about PERVIOUS PAVEMENT. and the posibility of changing out existing paved areas to utilize this concept. The only up-side to having the typical parking lots we have is that we can let the local Cal-Fire guys do confined space training in the oil and sand seperators that were installed in the storm water system. How does this hold up in freezing climates??

re: Managers Going Old School to Save Money?

Chris Matt — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:38:45 GMT

Walter:

Thanks for your comment. I started a forum discussion by asking the same question you posed. Keep an eye on the responses. Hopefully this helps. Thanks again.

my.facilitiesnet.com/forums

Chris

re: Managers Going Old School to Save Money?

walteratkins — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:17:52 GMT

we are some suggestions on how to save on the utiliesand water comsumptions in facilities?

re: The Grounds-Facilities Connection

Chris Matt — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:49:26 GMT

Hi Paul:

From the managers I talk to, it is up to the individual department and manager. That's not to say some organizations don't organize their staff with the formula you proposed, but I don't get the impression it's an industry standard. I would post a quick blog post with your question. Maybe other facility professionals will reply. Also, make sure to join the Grounds Management group through this site. You can post your question in that group as well. Thanks for the comment, Paul.

What district do you work for?

Chris

re: The Grounds-Facilities Connection

prooney — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:30:13 GMT

Chris,

Is there an industry standard for Acres per groundsworker or is it up to the employer and administration. I work for a k-12 School District (23yrs).

Paul

re: The Grounds-Facilities Connection

Chris Matt — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:34:00 GMT

Hi Kerrin:

Thanks for your comment. I would visit a few Web sites to get started.

First, our magazine, Maintenance Solutions, devotes a lot of coverage to grounds management. You can view products and read articles on the topic at www.facilitiesnet.com/groundsmanagement

I definitely would take a look at the Professional Grounds Management Society. PGMS is an association for grounds managers in institutional and commercial facilities. There are a lot of resources on the PGMS Web site at www.pgms.org.

Finally, I would take a look at the Sustainable Sites Initiative to read about sustainability in grounds management. Visit the Web site at www.sustainablesites.org.

Let me know if you have more questions. Again, thanks for your interest.

Chris