World Oceans Day is June 8th! Businesses can improve their bottom line by implementing water conservation techniques on the property. By consuming less water and using smart technology as an aid, you can cut costs and protect the environment.   Set conservation goals. A plan without a goal an aimless journey. Goals motivate us and let us know when we’re on track. Take inventory of your current water use. Speak with your utilities provider about setting realistic goals for water conservation as well as a due date for reaching those goals.   Let technology do the heavy lifting. Did you know that there is software that can complete a water audit, identify leaks, recover overages, and negotiate utility costs for you? Yardi Smart Energy Suite provides all of those services and more. Use a single solution to help you jumpstart your water conservation plan. It can be more cost effective that hiring a conservation task force or burdening your existing staff with new responsibilities.   Make low-flow your low-cost upgrade. Low-flow restrictors on faucets can cut water usage by .7 gallons per minute. They cost less than a dollar each. High efficiency toilets can save three gallons per flush, quickly paying for the cost of the upgrade in a high-traffic space. These little changes go a long way towards cost savings and conservation.   Native landscaping cuts costs and adds local flavor. Native landscaping includes grasses, shrubs, and trees that thrive in your local environment. Your environment often provides what the plants need naturally. You can save money that would otherwise go towards supplementing rainfall to meet the water needs for non-local species.   Free water is the best water. Consider rain barrels to catch and distribute rainwater to gardens and indoor plants. You...

World Water Day is March 22! This international holiday encourages individuals, businesses, and governments to explore ways to reduce water waste. For your property, water conservation comes with additional benefits. Boost resident loyalty and reduce turnover with these World Water Day tips. Get Acknowledged for Your Efforts You may already have measures in place to cut water usage at your property. If your residents don’t know about them, they can’t appreciate your efforts. Use RentCafe’s easy text or email messaging tools to communicate with residents about the steps in place to reduce water usage around the property. Perhaps you use well water for lawn maintenance and have the irrigation system on a timer with rain delays. Let your residents know! Little details go a long way towards building loyalty. Let Common Spaces Advertise for You There were plenty of ways to conserve water and market your water consciousness to residents and prospects. Promptly fix water leaks, particularly those in public spaces such as pools, community restrooms and property irrigation systems. Residents can see the needless water waste—they will also note your responsiveness to stop it. Use EnergyStar® and WaterSense®-rated appliances in public spaces such as community kitchens, laundry rooms and the leasing office waiting room. Savvy residents—and prospects—will recognize these cost-saving logos and associate your property with efficiency and global consciousness. Automate Savings for Residents  Most residents want to save money on their utility bills. You can build loyalty when you show how your property reduces their utility costs each month. Submetering, for example, cuts costs by 10-26 percent. Residents also like to know that they are paying only for the water and energy that they consume. Use Yardi Utility Billing to gather and related submetering savings to your residents. Go for Major Impact...