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Aug 20
2009
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Easy Way to Go Green, Make Residents Happy
Posted by: Matt DiChiara on Aug 20, 2009 01:00 Tagged in: Untagged
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Today, I wrote a post over at the MyNewPlace Blog about this really cool new vertical indoor garden that I thought would be a perfect way for apartment dwellers to enjoy the outdoors and have a little vegetation without a yard.
As I did more research, it also seemed as though property managers could capitalize on a variation of this idea, and wondered if anyone else out their concurred or is doing anything like this.
According to a report on the Greenspaces Blog, a building in New Delhi was able to make their office building healthier as well as more efficient:
" Compared to other buildings in Delhi, the incidence of eye irritation reduced by 52%, lower respiratory symptoms by 34%, headaches by 24%, upper respiratory symptoms by 20%, lung impairment by 10-12% and Asthma by 9%. As a result of fewer sick days - employee productivity also increased."
And then on the energy efficiency side of things:
"By "growing" fresh air indoors we can reduce the supply of external fresh air needed by air-conditioned buildings, while still meeting industry standards (ASHRAE) for healthy indoor air.
By reducing the supply of external fresh air, we achieve significant reduction in energy needed for heating and cooling buildings."
So my idea was first of all take advantage of these vertical indoor garden pot holders (I like the ones from www.woollypocket.com), and get them in apartment buildings. They'd look great in the lobby or down the hall.
Also, what about giving (either in a vertical plant pot or just straight up plant) to new residents when they move in? I think that everyone would enjoy a nice apartment warming gift when they first move in, especially one that will keep their living space healthier (oxygenation as well as removing VOCs from the air) and keep temperature and humidity stabler.
If everyone in the apartment building has a few plants, the whole building should be a better place to live with cleaner air and more oxygen, and it should cut down on the overall energy bill.
What do you think?
