'Going green makes green,' Utah broker says

Energy efficiency urged in commercial real estate

Published: Tuesday, March 18, 2008 12:40 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
One of the best ways to boost the bottom line in the Salt Lake area's commercial real estate market is to "go green," according to a local analyst.

"Going green makes green," was the phrase Alexander Lofft, a broker for Corporate Realty Group, used to open his remarks Thursday to the monthly meeting of Commercial Real Estate Women Utah. He said the primary object in commercial real estate is to maximize net operating income by reducing operating expenses.

"Any place you can suck out operating expenses — whether it's water use on your landscaping or interior lighting — that turns around and inflates the value of the building," he said.

By showing potential clients the bottom-line impacts of energy efficiency, they can realize long-term financial benefits, he said.

Other advantages of green commercial renovations include increasing the desirability of a building, according to Katie Noble, senior associate with Corporate Real Estate Group.

She said companies are becoming more environmentally conscious, making them sensitive to issues like their "carbon footprint" and the health of their workers, who sometimes suffer from "sick building syndrome."

Story continues below

Noble said making appropriate renovations on the interior of commercial property can certainly make a positive difference on employees, while exterior changes can also have great value.

"A green roof is an excellent way to go, xeriscaping will save a lot of money in water, replacing windows is big, adding insulation and replacing your light bulbs," she said.

She noted that insulation has recently become even more environmentally friendly with the use of recycled denim blue jeans as insulation that improves heating and cooling efficiency, and also provides good sound-proofing.

The financial and energy advantages of the green movement have resonated in government circles, as well. Salt Lake County has implemented a plan to reduce its energy consumption by 20 percent by the end of 2009, according to the county's environmental quality coordinator, Ann Ober. The county's goal is to attain a gold LEED standard for each of its new buildings, she said. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council promotes environmentally sustainable building design and development. Ratings begin at basic and rise to silver, gold and platinum.

"The country is facing a crisis, and we need to do our part," Ober said.


E-mail: jlee@desnews.com

Recent comments

You too, TOT - good, fun dialogue!

Alexander Lofft | March 21, 2008 at 6:31 p.m.

I've been going to EcoMoto for a few years now. You have a good sense...

TOT | March 19, 2008 at 1:55 p.m.

I really do, a convertible so I can enjoy the mountain views!...

Alexander Lofft | March 19, 2008 at 11:48 a.m.

previousnext

Latest comments

For those of you who are advocating that the Jazz let Milsap walk cause the...

Go get Drew Gooden who is unrestricted, and will be a better fit for a backup...

Longing for world championships to start. Gay/Bolt/Powell matchup will be the...

The contract offered to Milsap is similar to the original one the Jazz gave...

Millard County van rollover kills boy, injures 7

ate carol/kuya rey....We are really sad of what happened...but one thing for...

Hate to break it to ya, Blauch, but every time Memo leaves the floor Boozer...

The Gospel of Jesus Christ has no room for these silly myths. This is the...

paul is a good player but i say see ya get rid of loozer and ak i would...

My family is devastated! We know the Pratts personally and have loved their...

I think all of us grew up hearing these myths. I'm glad Mckay Copins had the...

Advertisements