Granada Hills-Property Management
GRANADA HILLS PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
“Cool It” and Help Make Your Rental Properties “Green”
It may seem incongruous to be talking about this subject in the dead of winter, but believe me it will be summertime before you can say “climate change.”
Speaking of “climate change” and in the spirit of keeping ourselves updated and objective on the topic, I’d like to recommend you go see the documentary “Cool It”.
This thought-provoking motion picture is based upon the book of the same name and lectures by Bjorn Lomborg, the controversial author of The Skeptical Environmentalist. Award-winning filmmaker Ondi Timoner travels the world with Lomborg exploring the real facts and true science of global warming and its impact. Learn more about this movie and watch the trailer at http://www.coolit-themovie.com/ .
On a related topic, most property owners and Property Managers have the challenge of “cooling it” by providing air-conditioning and cooling systems for their rental properties.
This can be a “hot” topic of debate (excuse the pun) especially when it comes to maintenance and energy efficiencies.
Most of us don’t know how much money we and our residents can save by transforming our cooling systems to be truly energy-savings. The good news is many steps you can take to cut our cooling costs whether you’re sticking with your current cooling systems or planning to buy a new, high efficiency one.
Most cooling systems sold today are energy-efficient, especially compared to the models sold ten or twenty years ago. There’s an article on the web that carefully reviews the general guidelines on this subject. It will answer many of your questions on what to look for and how to determine if an air conditioning system is an energy-saver, and thus more environmentally friendly. This helpful article can be found at http://www.green-energy-efficient-homes.com/energy-saving-air-conditioners.html
It’s helpful to remember that having the best, most contemporary thermostat as well as supplementing the cooling system with sufficient fans (especially ceiling fans) can make a big difference. Changing the cooling system’s air filters regularly is another energy-saving step that is both money-saving and healthy because it helps keep the air we breathe cleaner.
You’ll also find a great list of “summer energy savings tips” that I know will impress you. They include the need to get rid of and reducing the indoor sources of heat. As the author clearly states, “If you get rid of indoor heat sources, such as incandescent lights and electric appliances, you’ll stay cooler and have less need to run your air conditioner. If you keep the outside heat outside by using outdoor shade, window coverings, and better insulation and sealing, the heat won’t sneak in and overwhelm you or your air conditioner.”
Getting back to the movie “Cool It”, what impressed me the most is its emphasis on being well-informed about how to “live green” and protect our environment. There are many misconceptions about global warming, and there also better responses than “cap-and-trade” policies or fearful exaggerations. As owners and property managers, knowing all we can about the most effective solutions and approaching the challenges with an objective mind can empower us to help ourselves and the people that we serve.
by Marc Courtenay
Since 1946 the Carnahan name has had a reputation for honest and ethical Real Estate Property Management services in the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Burbank/Glendale, Los Angeles, Westside and Conejo Valley areas.
The reason for our success is helping owners like you when they need it. Below is a partial list of property management services we provide to help you protect your real estate investment.
- Tenant placement
- Tenant screening (including: credit check, landlord and employment verification, social security trace report, California eviction check and criminal check)
- Regular property inspections
- Accounting and landlord bill payment
- Monthly financial reporting
- Maintenance service and supervision (we use only proven independent vendors)
- Collections
- Evictions
- We supply all the necessary forms to meet California’s Landlord/Tenant laws
- 24 hour emergency phone service
- Advertising to the broadest tenant base possible
Call or e-mail us today for more information. We’re ready to get started!
- Carnahan Property Management services Woodland Hills,West Hills, Calabasas, Canoga Park, Tarzana, Reseda, Topanga, Encino, Northridge, Van Nuys,North Hills,Chatsworth, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, North Hollywood, West Hollywood, San Fernando Valley, Granada Hills, Mission Hills, Simi Valley, West Lake Village, Agoura,Toluca Lake, Valley Village, Burbank. Call us at (818) 884-1500 and check if we can service your area.
