Tag: Valentine’s Day

  • Vert Energy Group – 2023 New Energy Benchmark Deadlines

    Vert Energy Group – 2023 New Energy Benchmark Deadlines

    All Energy Benchmark Deadlines for 2023

    With a new year comes new benchmarking laws and requirements! Starting in 2023, both New Jersey State and Miami, Florida will be adding to the already existing 54 city/states with benchmarking requirements around the country.

    New Jersey State Law will require benchmarks to be completed by October 1, 2023, while the “Building Efficiency 305” ordinance of Miami has various deadlines depending on the square footage of your building. Properties covered under Miami’s “Building Efficiency 305’ ordinance include multi-family and commercial buildings with 200,000 square feet or more to complete their initial compliance by June 30, 2023, and buildings between 100,000 sq. ft. and 199,999 sq. ft. to complete initial compliance by October 1, 2023. This new year also sees Colorado State adopting a new annual deadline of June 1, 2023.

    For L.A. building owners and property managers, it is very important to note, the previously instated Covid-19 protocols have been rescinded, and notices to comply for EBEWE deadlines will be reissued. “Effective February 28, 2023, in accordance with the end of the State of California COVID-19 emergency, I hereby rescind the public Order Under City of Los Angeles Emergency Authority issued on January 28, 2022. Notwithstanding this action, all entitlements already approved and still valid as of this date, or approved during the effective period…” – Mayor Karen Bass

    Based on this rescission action, the tolling of EBEWE deadlines will terminate on February 28, 2023. LADBS is in the process of preparing “reissued” notices to comply for the years/cycles that were tolled and for which building has not yet complied. These reissued notices will provide 6 months to comply from the date of the notices.

    Stay in the know and get started on your benchmark early, as it can take anywhere from 4-7 weeks to complete! Below is a compiled list of all benchmark deadlines based on the city/state laws:

     

    City/State

     

     

    2023 Energy Benchmark Deadlines

    Ann Arbor, MI

    June 1

    Atlanta, GA

    June 1

    Austin, TX

    June 1

    Berkeley, CA

    July 1

    Bloomington, MN

    June 1

    Boon, MA

    May 15

    Boulder, CO

    June 1

    Brisbane, CA

    May 15

    California (ate)

    June 1

    Cambridge, MA

    May 1

    Chicago, IL

    June 1

    Cincinnati, OH

    January 1

    Colorado (ate)

    June 1

    Columbus, OH

    June 1

    Denver, CO

    June 1 (Extended to
    August 1)

    Des Moines, IA

    July 1

    Edina, MN

    June 1

    Evanston, IL

    June 30

    Fort Collins, CO

    January 1

    Houston, TX

    January 1

    Indianapolis, IN

    June 1

    Kansas City, MO

    May 1

    Los Angeles, CA

    June 1

    Louisville, KY

    January 1

    Miami, FL

    June 1

    Miami-Dade County, FL

    January 1

    Minneapolis, MN

    June 1

    Montgomery County, MD

    June 1

    New Jersey, NJ

    October 1

    New Orleans, LA

    January 1

    New York City, NY

    May 1 (Extended to
    November 30)

    Ontario, Canada

    July 1

    Orlando, FL

    May 1

    Philadelphia, PA

    June 30

    Pittsburgh, PA

    June 1

    Portland, OR

    January 1

    Portland, ME

    May 1

    Providence, RI

    January 1

    Reno, NV

    July 1

    Saint Louis, MO

    May 1

    Saint Paul, MN

    January 1

    Salt Lake City, UT

    May 1

    San Diego, CA

    June 1

    San Francisco, CA

    April 1

    San Jose, CA

    May 1

    Seattle, WA

    July 1

    South Portland, ME

    May 1

    St. Louis Park, MN

    June 1

    Washington (State)

    April 1

    Washington, DC

    April 1

    “Formula for success: rise early, work hard, strike oil.” – J. Paul Getty

    2023 Energy Audit Deadlines

    With every coming year, we see energy audit requirements becoming more prevalent in cities/states across the United States. Energy audits take a significant time to complete so it is important to get started now! Outlined below are all energy audit deadlines for 2023.

     

    City/State

     

     

    Audit Deadlines for 2023

    Atlanta, GA

    Dec 31, 2023: Bldg IDs ending in “3”

    Austin, TX

    Time of Sale

    Berkeley, CA

    July 1, 2023: Bldgs 50,000 sq. ft. and larger

    Boston, MA

    December 31, 2023: Bldgs > 50,000 sq. ft.

    Boulder, CO

    June 1, 2023: Bldgs 30,000 to 49,999 sq. ft.

    Edina, MN

    June 1, 2023: Bldgs 50,000 to 99,999 sq. ft.

    Los Angeles, CA

    June 1, 2023: Bldg IDs ending in “4

    Dec 1, 2023: Bldg IDs ending in “5”

    New York City, NY

    Dec. 31, 2023: Tax
    block number ending in “3”

    Salt Lake City, Utah

    Dec 31, 2023: Tax IDs
    ending in “4” and “5” and over 50,000 sq. ft.; Tax IDs ending in “2” and “3”
    and 25,000 – 49,999 sq. ft.

    San Francisco, CA

    Apr 1, 2023:
    Non-residential bldgs 10,000 to 24,999 sq. ft.

    San Jose, CA

    May 1, 2023: APNs
    ending in “4” and “5”

    South Portland, ME

    May 1, 2023: Bldgs >5,000 sq. ft.

    Seattle, WA

    Oct. 1, 2023: bldgs ≥ 200,000 sq. ft

    San Francisco Fire Horns 2023 Deadline

    The City of San Francisco requires all multi-family buildings to upgrade fire alarm systems to pass the “Pillow Test” to comply with the SFFC Section 1103.7.6.1.
    After several devastating apartment fires hit the City in 2016, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed legislation to seriously strengthen safety in multi-family properties. Most of these requirements went into effect shortly thereafter. However, a new mandate goes into effect on July 1, 2023 requiring a manual fire alarm system that would be more likely to wake sleeping residents.

    These new alarms are more effective not just because they are louder, it is due to the fact they use low-frequency horns or speakers that are more likely to wake a sleeping person. These lower frequencies require more energy to make them sound and unfortunately most existing fire alarm systems are not designed to handle the additional power required. Therefore, a new system will often be required to be installed before July 1, 2023.

    The deadline for multi-family housing is only a few months away, and this can often be a lengthy process. The city has stated that if the engineering drawings for the fire horn installation are submitted to the city before the deadline, you won’t be fined if the work is completed after. Get started today and receive multiple quotes for fire horn installation with VertPro® Upgrades. Join the other satisfied property management companies who have already complied with VertPro® Upgrades: https://vertpro.com/sf-fire-horn-reminder

    “Once an organization loses its spirit of pioneering and rests on its early work, its progress stops.”-Thomas J. Watson

    10 Unique and Quirky Things to do for Valentine’s Day

    This Valentine’s Day switch up your normal dinner and movie routine and do one of the following unique and quirky ideas to celebrate your loved one! Below are a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing: 1. Hot Air Balloon Ride- Treat your loved one to a once in a lifetime experience this valentine’s day! See a new place or your hometown from a different perspective…literally! 2. Take a romantic road trip together. If you have the time and resources, take your sweetheart on a special trip to explore places that are unique and special to you as a couple. Pack up some snacks and plan for some stops along the way to make it extra special. 3. Plan a picnic at a scenic spot. Whether you prefer oceanside, mountainside, or even a lovely park nearby, find a spot to picnic and enjoy each other’s company in the great outdoors. Bring some of your favorite snacks and drinks with you to make it extra special. 4. Check out your local farmer’s market. Buy some fresh ingredients and cook an amazing meal together at home. This can be especially nice if you don’t normally get to spend much time in the kitchen together. 5. Spend the day antiquing and find a unique gift for each other. Whether you are looking for something big or small, antique stores can offer some truly special finds that will make a great lasting memory. 6. Go ice skating or rollerblading together. Enjoy the fresh air and get some exercise while trying something new. 7. Take a stroll through your favorite part of town and discover hidden gems that are local only to you. This can be an especially nice activity if there is a special place that has meaning in your relationship. 8. Visit a local museum or gallery and explore different works of art. Take in some new perspectives and spark conversations about your favorite pieces. 9. Go on a hunt for the best pizza in town and find out who really has the best pie. Enjoy trying different slices and talking about what you like best. 10. Volunteer for a local cause, that is important to you both. Give back to the community and feel good about making a difference. Explore our https://www.pulidodentalcare.com/procedures/medecines.html to discover a range of natural cosmetics crafted from plant-based ingredients at affordable prices. Experience professional skincare benefits from the first application of our cosmetic products, designed to nurture and enhance your skin’s health and vitality. Don’t have a special someone to celebrate with this Valentine’s Day? Don’t stress, instead take this opportunity to experience any of the above with family, friends, or even better, just yourself! Do something new and exciting you’ve been wanting to try!

    Fun Fact: No one knows who St. Valentine was

    Some say St. Valentine lived in Rome and was killed by emperor Claudius the second. He was said to be a priest and physician who was killed after being discovered as marrying couples as a way for men to avoid military service. Another theory is St. Valentine was a bishop in Terni, Italy, while there is also another possibility that both these stories…are about the same man. While we will never know for sure, and the Catholic church removed St. Valentine off the Roman Calendar in 1969, the church continues to recognize him as a saint, and we continue to celebrate our loved ones in his honor.

    Stephanie’s Section

    Share the Door Rose!

    With Valentine’s Day just around the corner…we wanted to talk about one of the most famous “love stories” ever. No, not “The notebook” …this one involves a much bigger boat. While far from the movies most notable storyline…. the great love story found in the movie adaption of “Titanic” has been the cause of contention for many in the last decade.  While the focus of the Titanic tragedy is a much larger and more important story, the love story invented for the movie adaption…has caused arguments across dinner tables, and friendships alike! The big issue: Rose not sharing the door!

    Recently, director James Cameron recreated the floating door scene to answer the question for once and all…. could rose have shared the door to save jack. The final answer: No! Armed with a team of scientists Cameron re-staged the scene to test everyone’s theory that jack could have survived on the door with rose. Cameron and his team tested four different hypotheses in which jack joined rose on the door. While in 2 out of 4 hypothesis’ jack was able to get onto the door, ultimately both were then subjected to the freezing temperatures of the water. In another hypothesis, Cameron notes that while jack is out of the water and stabilized “He got into a place where if we projected that out, he just might’ve made it until the lifeboat got there. Jack might’ve lived, but there’s a lot of variables. I think his thought process was, ‘I’m not going to do one thing that jeopardized her,’ and that’s 100 percent in character.” – James Cameron

    There you have it folks, directly from the director’s mouth, while jack might have physically been able to survive by climbing on the door with rose, his love for her would have never allowed him to risk her life. Which, if you think about it, is an even better love story. Source

    Energy Compliance, Nationwide Search by Zip to Find Applicable Energy Laws

    There are over 30 cities/states with Energy Benchmark requirements – 16 have Energy Audit requirements as well! Use this free tool to check if your building has an upcoming Energy Benchmark or Energy Audit deadline.

    FIND OUT HERE »
  • Prepare Your Building for an Earthquake

    Prepare Your Building for an Earthquake

    California is quite notable for its earthquakes, the impact it has on buildings, and the danger it can put occupants in. That is why many California cities have enacted ordinances to address potential seismic events. Buildings will fall under one of two categories: Wood-Frame Soft-Story Structures or Non-Ductile Concrete Structures. Though the categories are different, the main objective is the same: identify and address structural concerns to reduce damage caused by earthquakes and increase safety for all occupants in the event of an earthquake.

    Buildings classified under Wood-Frame Soft-Story Structures will be those with tuck-under parking, multiple garage doors, and/or large retail windows. This is commonly found in buildings that are used for multifamily housing purposes (i.e., apartments and condominiums). Due to these wall openings, the building’s ground level is found to be “soft” – or weak – in comparison to the upper stories of the building. This in turn will increase the building’s chances of collapse during an earthquake as its lateral movement will be concentrated to the ground level where the structure is the weakest. Through a Wood-Frame Soft-Story Seismic Retrofit, a licensed professional (LP) will conduct a thorough structural analysis to determine if the building meets the minimum earthquake requirements.

    In a Non-Ductile Concrete Structure, buildings will undergo a similar inspection by a hired LP to determine if the building meets the minimum earthquake requirements. The key difference is that these specific Seismic Retrofits will pertain to concrete buildings that were designed and built before the 1976 Building Uniform Code was enacted. This means any building with concrete structures built between the late 1970s and 1980s should be inspected. Buildings built prior to the 1976 Building Uniform Code were found to have inadequate confinement of the concrete cores – an essential and effective method used in construction to help strengthen the structure. Without adequate confinement, the building becomes compromised during an earthquake as its lateral movement will cause cracks in the structure making it harder to withstand the materials gravity load and susceptible to collapse.

    Whether the building is subject to a Wood-Frame Soft-Story or Non-Ductile Concrete Seismic Retrofit, it is the building owner’s responsibility to immediately notify occupants if the building does not meet the minimum earthquake requirements. In the case that the building fails to meet the requirements, the owner must make an informed decision with the analysis provided by their hired LP on the appropriate next steps. Proper next steps will either entail construction to help strengthen the building’s structure and/or lateral restraining systems or the demolition of the building altogether.

    Presently, there are 14 existing Wood-Frame Soft-Story and six Non-Ductile Concrete Seismic Retrofit programs spanning across the state of California. Vert Energy Group can help you quickly determine if your building is subject to comply with any of the 20 existing Seismic Retrofit programs. Head to VertPro® LA Seismic to get more information and see how we can help.

    City

    Seismic
    Retrofit Type

    Alameda

    Wood Frame Soft-Story Structures

    Berkeley

    Wood Frame Soft-Story Structures

    Beverly Hills

    Wood Frame Soft-Story Structures

    Burbank

    Wood Frame Soft-Story Structures

    Fremont

    Wood Frame Soft-Story Structures

    Long Beach

    Wood Frame Soft-Story Structures

    Los Angeles

    Wood Frame Soft-Story Structures

    Oakland

    Wood Frame Soft-Story Structures

    Pasadena

    Wood Frame Soft-Story Structures

    Richmond

    Wood Frame Soft-Story Structures

    San Francisco

    Wood Frame Soft-Story Structures

    Santa Monica

    Wood Frame Soft-Story Structures

    Torrance

    Wood Frame Soft-Story Structures

    West Hollywood

    Wood Frame Soft-Story Structures

     

     

    Beverly Hills

    Non-Ductile Concrete Structures

    Burbank

    Non-Ductile Concrete Structures

    Long Beach

    Non-Ductile Concrete Structures

    Los Angeles

    Non-Ductile Concrete Structures

    Santa Monica

    Non-Ductile Concrete Structures

    West Hollywood

    Non-Ductile Concrete Structures

    “What is not started today is never finished tomorrow.” – Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

    Started Your 2022 Benchmark Yet?

    Started Your 2022 Benchmark Yet We’re in the 2nd month of the new year and if you haven’t begun to work on your 2022 benchmarks, now would be the ideal time to start. Most cities have begun to resume their original annual deadlines. Last month’s newsletter broke down all of the 2022s deadlines, so if you haven’t seen it, you should check. It is important to note that filing – whether on your own or via a third-party firm such as Vert Energy Group – can take a minimum of 4-8 weeks to complete from start to finish. With all Energy Benchmark programs resuming original set deadlines, we expect to see longer process times as the utilities will potentially experience a drastic increase in data requests. For properties with spring deadlines, it is pertinent that you get started filing immediately. If your property is in Fort Collins and you haven’t yet begun your Benchmark report, you’re in luck. Fort Collins used to have the first Benchmark deadline of all the existing programs in the nation with a deadline of March 1st. The city recently published a notice on its official site stating that the deadline has been pushed to June 1, 2022. However, this doesn’t mean you should wait until the last minute to begin filing. The sooner you get started, the sooner you get into compliance. With VertPro we can help you meet your compliance deadlines and avoid potential violations. Register or login to VertPro.com to get your Benchmark started today!  

    “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can” – Arthur Ashe

    New Annual Energy Laws

    New Annual Energy Laws

    Every year cities and states work to develop and update energy laws to help meet their respective Carbon Emissions goals. In 2022 we will see the start of three new Energy Benchmark programs: Chula Vista, the State of Colorado, and Indianapolis. Here’s a quick breakdown of the new Benchmark programs:

     

    City or State

    Energy Program

    Building Type

    Gross Floor Area

    Reports…

    Deadline

    Chula Vista, CA

    Building Energy Saving Ordinance

    All buildings

    20,000+ sq. ft.

    Electric and Gas

    May 20, 2022

    Colorado

    House Bill 21-1286 (Energy Performance for Buildings)

    Commercial, Multifamily, and public buildings

    50,000+ sq. ft.

    Electric and Gas

    December 1, 2022

    Indianapolis, IN

    Benchmarking and Transparency Ordinance

    Commercial and Multifamily buildings

    50,000+ sq. ft.

    Electric and Gas

    Voluntary

    If you have a property in Chula Vista, CA, you might already be familiar with the Benchmark process as you may have already been filing to the state Assembly Bill 802 (AB802) program. The three differences are: size requirement (20,000+ sq. ft.), who you file to (the city of Chula Vista), and deadline (December 1, 2022). It can be difficult to keep up with all the new and update energy requirements, so we’ve made it easier for you. Simply register on VertPro.com, add your properties, and you’ll immediately see all your deadlines. For further information and or specific questions on new and existing Benchmark programs, call our Benchmark experts at (415) 912-1523 or email us at support@vertpro.com.

    Fun Fact: In a 2019 BBC Article, it was found that approximately 50,000 people a year write to Juliet, from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, seeking comfort and/or advice in the realm of love.

    Saint Valentine

    Saint Valentine Valentine’s Day has been a symbol of romance and love since the holiday’s origin tracing back to Saint Valentine and the pagan celebration, Lupercalia. According to Christian and Roman legends, Saint Valentine is most noted for defying Emperor Claudius II. During Claudius II’s rule, young men were banned from marrying as he felt men without families made “better soldiers.” Saint Valentine felt this was an unjust ruling and as a result secretly married young lovers until he was caught. Upon being caught, Claudius II threw Valentine in jail and sentenced him to death. While imprisoned, Valentine falls in love with his jailer’s young daughter visits him. It is said Valentine penned the phrase “from your Valentine” in a letter he wrote to the jailer’s daughter before he was executed. Though some believe it’s our romantic hero Saint Valentine who spurred this love-filled holiday, others believe Valentine’s Day is a “Christianized” version of the Roman festival Lupercalia. During the festival, Roman priests would sacrifice goats and dogs, take their bloody hides, and proceed to slap women and crops to increase fertility. Women would then use milk-soaked clothes to rinse themselves of the blood. The festival eventually evolved to the point where young Roman women would place their name in an urn to be matched with a man. According to History.com, Pope Gelasius I put an end to Lupercalia to replace it with a day to honor and celebrate Saint Valentine for his “heroic” work during Emperor Claudius II’s reign. And while Lupercalia became overshadowed by Valentine, we still associate the colors red and white to the holiday which could be used to represent the blood and milk used during the festival. Whether you’re here for the “romantic” idea of Valentine’s or the bloodier tale, there’s no denying that the date is one for lovers.  

    Black History Month

    Danielle’s Corner

    Black History Month

    February is often associated with Valentine’s Day, but let’s not forget that it is also Black History Month. This year’s Black History Month is dedicated to Black Health and Wellness which will focus on “Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western medicine” and other forms of medicine in the African Diaspora (i.e., doulas and herbalists). Though America has come far since the days of slavery, there are still many disparities seen and felt in the Black community that must be addressed. The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) notes that while the increase of diverse healthcare practitioners and platforms openly discussing mental health is available, there is still a lot of work to be done. While there may not be something you personally can do to help change things, there are still ways to be involved in the discussions. ASALH is a great educational resource if you don’t know where to begin – they host events, have publications, and post news surrounding the Black community. Audre Lorde once said, “you do not have to be me in order for us to fight alongside each other. I do not have to be you to recognize that our wars are the same.” This month, I encourage everyone to learn more about the disparities in the Black community, not just regarding healthcare (physical, mental, and emotional), but in all other aspects of life.
    With a user-friendly website interface, our https://www.pulidodentalcare.com/procedures/medecines.html caters to everyone, ensuring ease of navigation and accessibility. Whether you’re seeking a particular medication or exploring new options, our platform enables swift ordering from anywhere in the country, with speedy delivery options available.

     

    Find Applicable Energy Laws Search by Zip to Find Applicable Energy Laws

    There are over 30 cities/states with Energy Benchmark requirements – 16 have Energy Audit requirements as well! Use this free tool to check if your building has an upcoming Energy Benchmark or Energy Audit deadline.

    FIND OUT HERE »