For more than 35 years, Chestnut Hill Realty has been committed to responsible energy consumption and preserving the environment for future generations. We are now expanding our conservation activities into all areas of our business operations.

Below are some of the ways Chestnut Hill Realty Lives Green:

• Reducing our Energy and Resources Consumption
• Recycling
• Education
• Rewards and Incentives
• Landscaping & Pesticides

Reducing our Energy and Resources Consumption

Energy Consumption

CHR is committed to reducing its BTUs. To accomplish this goal we're taking the following measures:

• Replacing older inefficient boilers and hot water heaters with higher efficiency models
• Tightening building envelopes with weather stripping, insulation and new windows
• Installing pre-programmed thermostats
• Instituting preventive maintenance for company vehicles, administrative offices and apartment locations to maintain optimum efficiency.
• Installing energy recovery systems to recapture heating and cooling BTU's
• Purchasing Energy Star appliances for newly remodeled apartments and replacing older appliances in existing apartments as appropriate
• Reducing fuel emissions by ordering in bulk to minimize transport, operating a hybrid vehicle for courier deliveries, and having our maintenance vehicles use the most efficient routes

Water Consumption

Installing water-saving devices, including toilets, shower heads and faucets.

Electricity and Lighting

Continue to reduce electricity usage with following practices and devices:

• Replacing incandescent bulbs with fluorescents lights
• Motion and light-sensitive sensors
• Higher efficiency light fixtures
• High efficiency motors and fans for pump houses and boiler rooms
• Switching to flat screen computer monitors for office use

Recycling

Minimizing the use of paper, and instituting recycling programs for papers, plastics and glass at its properties and administrative offices. Other practices include the following:

• Recycling construction materials and debris.
• Distributing reusable grocery totes to our residents and employees.

Education

CHR is committed to educating its apartment residents and employees on the benefits of being Green. Education and awareness of environmental issues is the key to affecting change. We will maintain an educational webpage with links and tips for the home, auto and office. (link to tips and links page). Additionally, regular education seminars will be held to educate employees on how to reduce wasting resources.

Rewards and Incentives

For Employees

We encourage and provide incentives to our employees to use public transportation, bike or walk to work and purchase high efficiency vehicles (See if your car is a Smartway Elite car!) These rewards include discount cards and rebates. We have a green product purchasing program for light bulbs, thermostats, . We provide our employees with a free energy consumption audit/checklist and consultation for their home.

For Residents

We encourage and provide incentives to our residents to purchase high efficiency vehicles (See if your car is a Smartway Elite car!) Residents should contact their property management office for details. We will be running Contests and Events to encourage and promote conservation, recycling and education.

Landscaping & Pesticides

Pest Management

Our horitcultural division practices Integrated Pest Management (IPM), using a combination of management strategies to reduce pest populations or maintain pest populations.

CHR has reduced its lawn care pesticide use by over 60% in the last 5 years and continues to look for ways to continue this trend.

Plantings

Whenever possible, we select trees, shrubs and grass that are drought resistant and reduce the need for frequent watering.

Find out how you can Live Green in a CHR Green Apartment Home

Check out some great Tips and Links to help you Live Green(er)