#GreenLiving: Celebrate National Drive Electric Week!

#GreenLiving is a major tool for families who are choosing to create a sustainable lifestyle! National Drive Electric Week begins this week! It is a nationwide celebration which started back in 2011 highlighting the awareness of today's widespread availability of plug-in vehicles and spotlighting the benefits of all-electric and plug-in hybrid-electric cars, trucks, motorcycles, and more! Whether you're considering purchasing one or want to know more about them, here is some information on them:

Reduce and eliminate fuel cost.  Driving vehicles can become rather costly from the maintenance, monthly keep up, and you can't forget gas. Weekly trips to the gas station can become quite expensive due to how much you drive, and how much gasoline cost is. By selecting an electric alternative for your vehicle, the days of paying for fuel are over! Electricity is less expensive than gasoline with no rapid price swings.

Convenience. Owning an electric vehicle has its pros when it comes to today's widespread availability of plug-in vehicles. They are fueled by connecting to the electric grid, and electricity can be produced through several generation methods. More importantly, electric vehicles allow you to become energy independent, through the installation of renewable electricity generation such as a solar array to fuel your car.  These charging stations can be installed in your homes garage so that you can charge it before you leave!


Are you considering going the electric route: Find out more information on National Drive Electric Week by clicking here. There are over 300 events all across the United States, be sure to attend one this week!

Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

#GreenLiving: Get Unplugged!

If you live in an apartment, condo, or house it is likely that you use various amounts of appliances just to make it through the day. But did you know? Most of the appliances that you use consume so much energy just by being plugged in all day even when you are not using them! Which can cost you lots of money.

On average, households tend to spend around $2,000 a year on energy costs. Experts explain that most of our plugged in appliances generally eat up low levels of electricity, almost a watt or two. However, some electronics such as computes and TVs that consume a lot more power, even when they're just in standby mode. And it's the cumulative effect to having several devices plugged in around the clock that can really add up- not only hurting your pockets but the efforts to be eco-friendly.

Here is a list of items that you might have in your home that should be unplugged after use to save both energy and money:

• Desktop Computers
• Laptop Computers
• Televisions
• DVD players, VCRs
• Cable TV boxes
• Cordless phones
• Stereos and radios
• Coffee makers
• Toasters
• Lamps
• iPods or electronic gadgets 

Being more conscious about your household appliances, and your overall energy use, is a tremendous way to help conserve the environment, and help boost your fiances, too.




Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

#GreenLiving: Energy Efficient Light Sources

#GreenLiving is a major tool for families who are choosing to create a sustainable lifestyle to conserve, preserve and save natural resources. Here are two ways in which you can help your budget and the environment in and outside of your homes.

Replace high-use indoor lights with compact fluorescent or LEDS.  Ranging in different sizes for almost any fixture, compact fluorescents have it all! Between the energy savings and their much longer life spans, they pay for themselves in less than two years of installation. By utilizing LED bulbs for non-dimmable circuits, you can optimize the usage in each room. They are also one of the best energy con servers and will last for as long as you live in your home.

Use high-efficiency outdoor lighting.  Whether it's your porch lights or outdoor walkway lights, a typical 100-watt floodlight can consume over $40 in electricity cost over the course of year, which can produce over 400 pounds of carbon dioxide. Making a switch to compact-fluorescent or LED versions can cut energy use by over 80 percent an last more than 10 years. Lastly, installing motion senor lights can reduce the amount of light that is used throughout the day,



Grady's GreenLiving Tips was created in 2014 by Grady Management, Inc.  Grady Management was founded in 1965 and continues to provide a full service residential, commercial, and consulting real estate firm in the greater Washington and Baltimore metropolitan area.  Learn more from our website or Facebook page.

Five Household Appliances to Unplug Before Leaving for the Day

Quickly Reduce Energy Consumption By Unplugging These Five Appliances

Leaving home for an extended period of time- such as going to work, seeing a movie, or taking a trip?  In a previous blog, Grady's GreenLiving Tips detailed "energy vampires"- devices that can utilize energy even when not on, but still plugged in to an outlet.  Though it is not necessary to unplug every device/ appliance when leaving the home, unplugging these several common household appliances can save energy:

1) Desktop computer/ laptop computer:  Leave the computer plugged in, asleep, all day?  To save energy, remember to shut down the desktop or laptop computer after every use and to unplug the power cord from the wall.

2) Plug-in cord/ transformers:  Cell phones, tablets, and similar devices all have power cords.  Instead of leaving the cord plugged in to the wall all day, unplug from the wall once the device is finished charging.

Adjusting The Thermostat Based on the Season: Three Tips

Saving Energy By Monitoring The Thermostat

In many homes, staying comfortable in any season or weather depends greatly on adjusting heat or air flow with the thermostat.  But is there a proper way to utilize the thermostat?  Below are three green ways to use the thermostat and reduce excess energy:

1) Adjust before leaving: Not adjusting the thermostat before leaving the house for a long period of time, for work, trips, or appointments, is one of the easiest ways to waste energy.  Adjust the thermostat to a few degrees higher or lower (depending on the season) when leaving the house or even turn the thermostat off completely.

2) Find a comfortable setting: Instead of cranking up the heat or air conditioning, try to find a setting that is personally comfortable.  For instance, a person may just turn on their air conditioning set at 70 degrees.  However, that same person may still feel comfortable and cool in a home that is 74 degrees.  Finding a comfortable temperature will reduce energy and strain on the thermostat.

Grady Management Communities Practice GreenLiving Initiatives

In Focus: East of Market Apartments in Frederick Maryland

Learn About Frederick City's First LEED Certified Community

As a real estate management company, Grady Management actively cares about GreenLiving and promoting an eco-friendly lifestyle for our valued customers: clients and residents.  Alongside this weekly blog, Grady Management tries to promote an eco-friendly lifestyle in a variety of ways, such as allowing Grady's Green Initiatives and Green Tips to be accessible to current or perspective residents on the official Grady Management Inc. website.  Further, several Grady managed communities, such as 3350 at Alterra in Hyattsville, Maryland, hosts a community recycling program for residents.

One Grady managed community, East of Market Apartments in Frederick, Maryland, that opened in 2015 received recognition throughout the last year for green initiatives.  For example:

1) LEED Gold Rating: In December 2015, East of Market was honored with a "Gold Rating" after the apartment buildings were tested in categories such as water efficiency, energy expenditure, and more. The Gold rating is one of the higest standars of LEED certification that can be achieved.  Learn more about this rating system and the developers of LEED, the United States Green Building Council by clicking here.

Heat Pumps: Report and Review

Geothermal Heat Pumps

A Guide To Understanding Heat Pumps and Utilizing Heat Pumps More Effectively

Last year, a GreenLiving blog post detailed important facts about heat pumps that apartment renters and homeowners alike should know to be better able to understand the heat pump and how the device impacts a home.

Essentially, heat pumps are energy efficient devices that pump air from one location to another.  Read below to find out more about how heat pumps work:

What Are Heat Pumps?

A heat pump is a device that provides heat energy to a specific and desired location.  This procedure is referred to as "heat sink".  In the process, heat pumps absorb heat, or the thermal energy, from a cold location and release that energy to warm space.

Air conditioners and freezers are common examples of heat pumps.  A common heat pump is an "air source heat pump" which shifts air from inside to the outside.  Thus, heat pumps are effective in moving hot air in the home (during winter months) and outside the home (during summer months).

Grady's Green Impact Revisited

How We Practice Our Green Initiatives

Over the past year, our blog has been a platform for apartment residents to learn about the ease of greenliving and eco-friendly lifestyle options.

As a company, we strive to do all we can to promote our green initiatives.  During our 50th Anniversary celebration in March, we detailed only a few of our practices in a blog post titled "Grady's Green Initiatives."

For a reminder, some of Grady Management's green initiatives include:

1. Implementing energy efficient LED (light emitting diodes) light fixtures, CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs, common area lighting controls, and more efficient HVAC upgrades to help lower utility costs at some of our communities.
2. Promoting public transportation use at communities close to public transportation such as direct bus or Metro access.

Earth Day Part II: Modern Movement

Earth Day Celebrates an Important Anniversary

Last week, our blog post detailed the history of the Earth Day Movement.  Tomorrow, Earth Day celebrates an important anniversary- the 45th year since the movement began in 1970.

What can you do to celebrate Earth Day in 2015?

The Earth Day Network, the organization that created and continues to promote Earth Day, spearheads the "A Billion Acts of Green," an international movement dedicated to securing a sustainable future.  In order to join the movement, you can take action (an "act of green") on the Earth Day website by signing The Climate Petition, supporting Environmental Education, reducing daily Energy Consumption, or submitting an original art piece to "Footing the Bill: Art and our Ecological Footprint."  So far, the Earth Day Network has received 1,123,953,067 acts of green.

A Truly Green Saint Patrick's Day

Celebrate the "Green" Way

If you ever wanted to start living an eco-friendly life- what better day to begin than Saint Patrick's Day?  On a day dedicated to all things green- why not also focus on the environment? 

If you are hosting a Saint Patrick's Day party at your apartment, here are some tips to really live "green":

1) Buy in Bulk

If you are entertaining guests tonight- try to buy in bulk.  This is more cost effective in the long run and also conserves resources, like plastic and cardboard, when you buy one large package or carton versus a series of small ones.

Grady's Green Initiatives

Did you know that Grady Management celebrates our 50th anniversary this month?

As a company, there are many ways we promote green initiatives in the apartment communities we manage.  In fact, Grady Management has been a leader in energy conservation technology since 1971.

Some ways we promote green living include:

• Our Utilities and Energy Conservation Administrator, David Farmer, constantly monitors community consumption of electricity, natural gas, heating oil, and water to ensure we conserve these resources and that we manage our carbon footprint.


• Our Director of Maintenance, Mark Rasavage trains team members in energy conservation programs and best green practices, tests and selects energy efficient and eco-friendly products.


• We are moving toward energy efficient LED (light emitting diodes) light fixtures, CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs, common area lighting controls, and more efficient HVAC upgrades to help lower utility costs.

Get Ahead on Your Spring Cleaning: The Eco-Friendly Way

In a few weeks, spring will be in the air!  Spring cleaning is one of the best ways to start living a green life. 

Did you know that many cleaning supplies and household cleaning agents contain a lot of harmful chemicals?  It is east to have an immaculate house by making your own, eco-friendly cleaners.

Some common supplies you can easily make effective cleaners from include:

• Distilled white vinegar (sold in the cooking section of most supermarkets)
• Baking soda
• Olive oil
• Microfiber cleaning cloths
• Newspaper

Going Green for Valentine's Day

Loving the Planet This V-Day

If you are planning a Valentine's Day celebration for your loved one- you might want to consider a few green ideas!  Share your love with the planet and environment as well.

Trying to Plan the Best Outing?

Some green date ideas are:

Registering for a cooking class

Cooking is not only fun, but a skill that can help reduce food waste! 

Hiking through a park

If you don't mind the cold, visit a state park and take a nice hike through the various trails.  Some parks even offer winter sports and seasonal activities.  Find the nearest state park by using America's Sate Parks' website.

A New Kind of Light

Lighting Up Your Green Life

Buying a light bulb is simple and often thoughtless ordeal- it's just another item on your shopping list.  But if you want to live a green life, it is important to ensure that you buy a green bulb.

The correct bulb can help the planet and also save you and your family money.

Before you buy a light bulb, consider this:

60 Watt traditional incandescent lights-

1) Saves no energy cost.
2) Costs an average of $4.80 annually.
3) lasts an average of one thousand hours.

Compare this traditional bulb with these options:

Heat Pumps 101



The heat pump is located near the top of the image.

When you are in a hot building- what is the first word that comes to mind?  While it might be "air conditioning"- try thinking instead of "heat pump."  But what are heat pumps and what are their importance to your apartment?  Find out this week how heat pumps help you maintain a green life!

What Are Heat Pumps?

A heat pump is a device that provides energy, in the form of heat, to a specific location.  This process is referred to as "heat sink".  Essentially, heat pumps absorb heat, or the thermal energy, from a cold location and release that energy to warm space.

Air conditioners and freezers are common examples of heat pumps. 

How Do Heat Pumps Encourage Green Living?

When used for heat, heat pumps are actually three to four times more efficient than electrical resistance heaters in the use of electric power.

The Value of Recycling, Part I

Recycling is one of the easiest ways to live a green life!

Do you know a lot about recycling, or do you just do it because it is the "right" thing to do?  For the next few weeks, we will introduce some facts that will help put into perspective exactly why it is so important to recycle!

Aluminum Recycling Facts

• It takes only 60 days for a used aluminum can to be recycled, re-purposed, and back on a grocery store shelf.
• Any aluminum object, not just cans, can be recycled.  This includes: car parts, gutters, lawn furniture, etc.

Going Green: A New Year's Resolution

What's your New Year's Resolution?

2015 is only a few days away!  This year, why don't you make a resolution about going green?  Green living is not only a great personal choice, but also yields positive results for the planet as a whole.

For the new year, why don't you try these simple, green, steps:

1. Sort garbage from recyclables.  

Recycling is the easiest way to go green.  Before you dump everything in your trash bin or throw things down the garbage chute, make sure that you are checking to see if any products can be recycled.  It is such an easy tip, but so many people forget!

Having a Green Holiday

Gift Wrapping Gone Green

Have you done all of your holiday shopping?

If so, it's time to think about gift wrapping.  This year, consider this:

In the US, the annual trash from gift wrap and shopping bags totals over 4 million tons. If everyone wrapped just three gifts in reused paper or fabric gift bags, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 hockey rinks.

Here are some green tips to keep in mind before you give your friends and loved ones their gifts.

1. Use environmentally friendly wrapping paper

Choose wrapping paper made using fibers such as hemp, or paper using recycled content.

Living Green on a Budget

Do you want to live a green life but are worried about your finances?

This is a common concern.  If you think that the only way to live "green" is to spend a lot of money- you are mistaken.  There are plenty of ways to live a green lifestyle and stay on your budget.  Here are just several:

1) Clean the green way!

Many people don't realize that their home can look immaculately clean by using natural products that already sit in a pantry shelf rather than buying cleaners in a store.  Not only are cleaners expensive, but they often are damaging to the air and water.  Here are some great natural products:

• White Wine Vinegar: vinegar is excellent for cleaning stains, especially on fabrics!
• Baking soda: baking soda is great at removing dirt and stains.  Did you know it is also good to mix baking soda with toothpaste to get a sparkling, white smile?
• Lemon and orange peels: instead of throwing fruit peels away, they are excellent to scrub dirt and grime from pots and pans.

You Can Still Conserve Energy in the Winter!

The air is turning colder, the days are getting shorter, and people are putting away their Halloween decorations.  That can only mean one thing- winter is right around the corner! 

If you are interested in living a green life, you might think that it is tough to conserve energy in the winter.  While it can be a challenge, it is possible!  Here are some green tips we have compiled to save you energy during the winter:

1. Check your thermostat

Arguably, a huge amount of the energy used in your home this winter will stem from using heat.  And that makes sense: no one wants to go through winter cold!  However, there are certain ways to reduce the amount of energy used on heat.  For example, setting your thermostat to a temperature you know is comfortable for you, and keeping it on that temperature.  It actually wastes more energy to constantly turn on and turn off your heat instead of keeping it at a constant temperature.  Also, a lot of thermostats now have programmable, energy saving, settings on them; investing in one will ensure that you are living the greenest (and warmest) way possible!