the for your State-of-the-Art Eco-consciously Designed Apartment, Home, & Community

Transcription

1 the HOW-TO for your State-of-the-Art Eco-consciously Designed Apartment, Home, & Community Manual

2 Welcome home! We re excited you ve chosen this Columbia Residential community as your lifestyle destination. Right now, you may be asking yourself, My apartment home needs a manual? Rest assured, living here is easy! Living, loving, and relaxing in your new home takes no instruction. We re certain you can figure that out on your own! But like everything else at this great community, details matter. Details like ensuring you have healthy indoor air quality. Details like helping you consume less water and energy to save on your bills each month. Details like intuitively designing a community that is focused on reducing its environmental impact. An incredible amount of time, energy, and cutting edge technology have gone into the design and construction of this unique community. From the location of sidewalks, to the selection of the flooring beneath your feet, there is a greater purpose behind everything: to enhance your quality of life while supporting and protecting the natural environment we all share. Retreat at Edgewood has received the LEED for Homes Silver Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. It s the details of our green and healthy initiative that have inspired this manual. The design and construction decisions we have made so far are just the beginning. Now that you have chosen your new home at this Columbia Residential community, we want to give you an inside look into the details, and the easy things you can do to help us continue this green and healthy initiative. Take pride and reassurance in knowing that your new apartment home is certified green. What does that mean exactly? Our community and its apartment homes have undergone rigorous inspections starting at the construction stage, by a third-party green organization focused purely on ensuring the home we have built for you is safe, has the proper amount of fresh air, and is ultimately non-toxic. 1

3 Inside your home One of our goals in the design, construction, and meticulous maintenance of this community is to use best practices and emerging eco-friendly products and solutions. These measures help safeguard the health of our residents, reduce water and energy consumption, reduce waste, and protect the natural environment through smarter selection of material for use in every apartment home. Your health is our primary concern and our role includes making sure your apartment home was constructed with good air ventilation, limiting your exposure to toxic materials, and keeping the air and surfaces as clean as possible. To achieve this, your home includes: + Kitchen stoves with range hoods, bathroom vents and dryer vents which all vent directly to the exterior + Non-Toxic and low volatile organic compounds (VOC) materials such as paints, adhesives and sealants + Vinyl flooring and ceramic tile to minimize the accumulation of allergens + Energy saving construction methods and appliances are used to improve the energy efficiency, which in turn, reduces energy bills for residents. Other energy saving measures at work within your home include: + Energy Star certified light fixtures + Upgraded insulation in the walls + Energy efficient heating and air conditioning systems + Programmable thermostats + Water saving fixtures and toilets DID YOU KNOW? Every kitchen and laundry appliance at our community is Energy Star rated? Energy Star is a U.S. Government backed program that helps businesses and households protect the environment through superior energy efficiency. This means that the appliances in your home are optimized for energy efficiency. Materials were selected based on the environmental impact of their production. Engineered wood products such as plywood and truss joist were utilized to preserve forests and, during construction, waste was sorted and recycled. Also, materials and surfaces were selected for their durability and their longevity, thus lowering demand for more resources and waste in the future. If anything breaks in your apartment, or if you need some other type of maintenance or repair help, please call Property Management or visit the Leasing Center and a member of our team will gladly assist you. See the back cover for the phone number. 2 Around the community You are living at one large recycling role model. When designing and planning this community, our goals included protecting undeveloped land, reducing personal vehicle dependence, and nurturing outdoor activity. The land where your new apartment home exists was reused. Prior to this new community, it had buildings already in place. We have also designed the new community to maximize outdoor spaces, including picnic areas, playgrounds, and the rain garden. Though we have ample parking lots and street side parking, the community is also located conveniently along the MARTA transit line. Taking mass transit whenever possible not only saves you money, but also helps reduce air pollution. Residents with bicycles will enjoy living just a few blocks from the PATH bike trails that connect Atlanta neighborhoods. These alternate methods of transportation allow our residents to get to and from a variety of places while reducing their dependence on personal vehicles and helping protect the air we breathe. Our community was designed with your comfort in mind. Wide sidewalks, slow speed streets, and bicycle racks in visible locations unite to help support a community that you can easily stroll, jog, or bike throughout for relaxation or exercise. Your peace of mind is also a top priority, which is why we provide security patrol, excellent lighting, security cameras, and more throughout the community. If you think car ownership is highly overrated, you ll love the fact that Retreat at Edgewood is completely plugged in to easy-access public transportation. Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) offers convenient ways to get to and from our community, including bus and rail service at the Edgewood-Candler Park MARTA station. They also provide a pick up service for the elderly or disabled. For maps and schedules itsmarta.com Your impact The steps we have taken to design and create an eco-friendly community are only the beginning. Residents and the Property Management must work together to clean, maintain, and operate the buildings using green products and practices to achieve our sustainability efforts. This manual was created to outline the simple things you can do to maximize the health of your home and community s environment and minimize your impact on the environment. In addition to this guide, please locate the owner s manuals for the appliances in your apartment. You can refer to those manuals for additional information related to maintaining your appliances. If you do not have those manuals, please request a copy from the Property Management team. Thank you for selecting this Columbia Residential community as your home. 3

4 Bathroom + Clean surfaces in the bathroom regularly. + If your toilet overflows and you can t get it to stop, report it to Property Management immediately. + Turn on the bathroom fan when taking a shower. The fan s purpose is to remove moisture from the air, preventing mold and mildew growth. Floors Kitchen Housekeeping & Cleaning TIPS Everyone appreciates a clean home. This section includes helpful tips for taking care of the inside of your home to keep it clean and pest-free using environmentally safe products and practices. + Sweep the floors of your apartment regularly (preferably at least once a week), and mop the hard surface flooring whenever it starts to get dirty or sticky. + Vacuum the carpet regularly. Dirt and dust get trapped in carpet, and they can trigger allergy symptoms and asthma. + Mildew and mold can develop in carpeting that stays wet too long. If water or any liquid is spilled on the carpet, soak it up immediately with a dry towel or rag. + Use mats in bathrooms to absorb water after bathing and showering. + Wipe up any puddles of water from your bathroom or kitchen floor. + Wash dirty dishes daily and clean kitchen surfaces with a damp cloth whenever they are dirty. + When you are using your stove, turn on the range hood fan; this keeps the moisture out of the air, preventing mold and mildew. + Clean the grease filter on your stove s range hood when any grease builds up. If you have questions about how to clean the grease filter, please just ask Property Management. + If you see discoloration on surfaces (white, orange, green, brown, or black), see cracked or discolored grout, or smell a musty odor, it might be mold or mildew. Clean the areas with baking soda or Borax. If the discoloration does not go away or gets worse, notify Property Management immediately. Cleaning & Chemicals + When using a cleaning product, read its label and follow the instructions for usage and storage. + Don t mix different cleaning products together (unless specifically recommended or unless they are benign, non-reactive, nontoxic substances). Improperly mixing products can be toxic for you and your family! + Don t use stiff brushes or other abrasive products when cleaning, as they can often leave permanent scratch marks. + Throw away and replace used sponges, cloths, and rags if they re dirty or smelly. + Properly dispose of a container of a chemical cleaning product that is not completely used. It should be taken to the city s hazardous waste facility. See the section on Garbage and Recycling for more information on hazardous materials disposal. Try to choose products that are labeled as low-voc or non-toxic whenever possible. + Glues, adhesives, paints, and other household products often contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which contribute to indoor air pollution (as well as outdoor smog). Air Quality Whenever there are odors, cigarette smoke, fumes from cooking, or excess moisture in your apartment, open the windows and use a fan to help air out the room. 4 5

5 Cleaning Products Cleaning your home is the best way to remove harmful contaminants, such as mold and bacteria. However, many conventional cleaning products can also cause health problems. Toxic cleaning products can be particularly problematic for people who have health conditions such as asthma or allergies or those with chemical sensitivities or weak immune systems. Some cleaning products can cause headaches, dizziness, skin irritation, respiratory irritation and asthma, eye irritation or worse. Others contain cancer-causing substances, reproductive toxins, central nervous system toxins, and endocrine system/ hormone disruptors. Fortunately, many companies are producing non-toxic cleaning products, and you can also find effective and inexpensive options. There are several basic substances that can be used as safe and effective cleaning solutions for most household cleaning jobs. They include: + baking soda + white vinegar + lemon juice + salt + hydrogen peroxide + borax Products to Avoid: + Avoid the use of chlorine bleach unless it s absolutely necessary to use such a strong disinfectant. Never use undiluted chlorine bleach or ammonia. Both of these substances can cause major respiratory irritation. Also products labeled with anti-bacterial or anti-microbial. They can actually cause germs to become resistant to antibiotics. + Read product labels, including the small print. As a general rule, you should avoid all products that are labeled Danger Poison. Products with Warning and Caution labels can also be dangerous or harmful. Also avoid products that are labeled as Corrosive, Severely Irritating, Highly Flammable, or Highly Combustible. Whenever possible, choose a non-aerosol version of a product. Aerosols often contain substances that are flammable and that can contribute to indoor air quality problems. Borax and baking soda are especially versatile household products that can be used for a variety of purposes. For example, baking soda will clean and deodorize all kitchen and bathroom surfaces (just dissolve a few tablespoons in some warm water, or use the baking soda directly on a damp sponge). A combination of baking soda, hot water, and vinegar can clear drains. And borax, baking soda, or hydrogen peroxide can remove stains and mildew. Also, just using a mild soap like dishwashing detergent or a liquid/ Castile soap with some water will clean most surfaces adequately. + Avoid using most air freshener products, especially if their labels say that they contain para-dichlorobenzene. Ingredients like this can cause headaches and other health problems. Also avoid using mothballs; instead, store wool items in plastic bags or airtight containers. If there is a moth problem, you can kill the moth eggs by washing the affected garments in hot water or putting them in the freezer for a few days. Here is one recipe for a non-toxic, all-purpose cleaner (for cleaning countertops, floors, walls, etc.): TIP Hydrogen peroxide is a good alternative to chlorine bleach. USE THIS 1 tsp. borax 1 tsp. liquid soap 4 cups warm water ½ cup undiluted white vinegar Mix ingredients and store in a spray bottle If you re selecting a more conventional cleaning product (from the cleaning products aisle) at the store, look for products that are labeled as non-toxic, low VOC or zero VOC, and/or biodegradable. Also look for unscented products (some people are allergic to certain fragrances), and products with recyclable packaging/containers. 6 NOT THIS 7

6 Clothes Care Each unit in this Columbia Residential community is equipped with Energy Star Certified Washers and Dryers. Before you move into your new apartment, you should wash all of your clothes and any bedding or other fabrics. If the items are quite dirty, choose the hot water setting on the washing machine to kill germs. Once you ve moved in, you can enjoy the convenience of washing your clothes and bedding regularly when you have a full load of laundry. If your laundry items are only slightly soiled, you can still clean them effectively with the washer s cold or warm water setting (this saves energy). + Choose a laundry detergent that is labeled as phosphate-free, biodegradable, and/ or non-toxic. Also consider selecting an unscented product. Such products include 20 Mule Team Borax and Arm & Hammer Washing Soda. Only a small amount of detergent is necessary do not use more than the amount that is recommended in the instructions on the box/container. + After your wash cycle is complete, move items to the dryer. Select a temperature setting appropriate for your clothes. Typically hotter temperatures are better for heavy items like towels and jeans, etc., while cooler temperatures should be used for t-shirts, sheets, etc. + Be sure to clean the dryer s lint filter after every load. This will help keep the dryer working efficiently and it also prevents the built-up lint from becoming a fire hazard. Caring for your FloorS The flooring was chosen for its durability and ease of cleaning, but it does still require proper attention and care to stay looking its best. + Protect your floors from tracked-in-dirt and grit particles by using welcome mats at all outside entrances and remove any imbedded grit particles from bottoms of shoes before entering. Take care to avoid tracking in tar or asphalt from driveways, as this can permanently stain carpeting. + Protect your flooring against heat sources. Burns from the glowing end of a cigarette, matches, or other extremely hot items can cause damage. Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can also result in fading. During peak sunlight hours, the use of the drapes or blinds is recommended. + Do not flood the floor or frequently subject it to standing water. When you mop, be sure that no standing water is left on the floor. + Do not use vinegar, one-step cleaner/ polishes, or oil soaps on your floors. + The floors have a good stain-resistance and are not affected by most common household spills; however, any spill should be cleaned up immediately. The longer the spilled materials are left on the floor, the greater the risk of permanently staining the floor. If your floor appears to have a stain, contact Property Management immediately. Avoid tracking in dirt, tar, and asphalt from outdoors. They can cause permanent stains. borax is a natural alternative to colorsafe bleach Avoid stains by cleaning up spills immediately! 8 9

7 GARBAGE & RECYCLING Valet service is offered to all residents by using the garbage can that was provided when you moved in. Just place the can outside your door after 8:00 p.m. and bring it back in by 8:00 a.m. the following morning. Garbage is picked up five nights per week, Sunday- Thursday. We also encourage you to recycle. Please separate recyclables from regular trash as part of your normal routine in your apartment home. Look for the the symbol. Before disposing of recyclables, be sure to rinse them out with water to prevent pest problems and odors. Property Management can provide details regarding our valet schedule for these materials. CONSERVE & $AVE Recycling is easy! You do not need to separate the items according to the different types of recyclable materials (paper, plastic, etc.). Just ensure they remain separate and apart from the regular garbage. These materials include: Who doesn t like to save money? Here are some tips that will help you live green and save green. Conserving energy and water resources is not only the right thing to do for the environment but your wallet will also appreciate the effort! Using less electricity reduces power plant emissions (from burning fossil fuels), which in turn, reduces air and water pollution and reduces the harmful effects of pollution on human health. Using less water means less energy used at water treatment plants and more water kept in rivers and lakes. Aluminum cans and bottles Paper All types, including newspaper, unwaxed cardboard, paperboard (e.g., cereal boxes without the interior bag), office paper, envelopes (plastic windows are fine), junk mail, magazines and catalogs, milk cartons, paper egg cartons, phone books, wrapping paper, etc. Glass bottles & jars Plastic bottles Numbers 1 7; check the container to identify its specific number Bimetal Certain food cans and saw blades are often constructed of bimetal, or two layered types of metal Tin (steel) cans LIGHTING + Turn off lights and any electronic equipment every time you leave your apartment or when you are not using them. + When the light bulbs burn out in your apartment, replace them with energyefficient Compact Fluorescent bulbs (CFL). Be careful not to break the fluorescent bulbs; they contain small amounts of mercury, which is a hazardous substance. Do not throw away fluorescent light bulbs; you should take them to the city s hazardous waste facility for proper disposal. We have some more info on that later in this book! + If using table or floor lamps in your apartment, avoid using ones that require halogen bulbs. Halogen lamps not only waste energy, they also pose a significant fire hazard. 10 A light bulb that lasts 25 years?! LED lighting is another great choice! Though they cost more (approx. $10-30 per bulb), they typically last up to 25 years and are at least 75% more efficient than incandescent bulbs. To learn more, visit: DID YOU KNOW? CFLs use only one-fourth the power of a comparable incandescent light bulb and last up to 10 times longer. As a result, each CFL will save you least $30 in the form of lower electricity costs over the life of the bulb. That adds up to an average annual savings of $ in the form of lower electric bills in a typical home like yours! Materials that cannot be recycled and should not be put into recycling receptacles include: + Juice boxes + Light bulbs + Plastic bags + Styrofoam + Ceramic dishes + Coat hangers + Waxed cardboard + Mirrors + Window glass Hazardous Waste Disposal Hazardous waste materials are hazardous! Do not dispose of them by throwing them into regular garbage or recycling containers or your home s garbage can. They must be dropped off at the appropriate city facility for safe disposal or recycling to prevent them from contaminating the air, water, or soil. Call or visit the Property Management Team to find out where these materials should be taken. Hazardous waste materials include: + Chemical cleaning supplies + Batteries (all types) + Fluorescent lamps/light bulbs + Paint, paint thinners, primers, stains and other finishes + Toxic glues and adhesives + Medical/biohazard waste (including needles and lancets) + Pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizer + Computers, TVs, and other electronic equipment + Printer/copier ink/toner + Used motor oil + Compressed gases 11

8 HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING + Utilize your programmable thermostat to control the temperature settings. Programming your thermostat to reduce energy consumption during times when you are away or need less cooling or heat is the easiest way to reduce your energy bills. + During cooler months, try to set your thermostat at a comfortable temperature around 69 degrees. You can even try setting it to a lower temperature or turn it completely off when you are not at home or at night when you can keep warm with blankets. APPLIANCES + Clean the dust off of your refrigerator coils twice a year. Remove the grill at the bottom of the refrigerator and clean the coils in front and back; pull the refrigerator out to sweep and dust behind it. Our Property Management team is happy to show you how to do this if you would like assistance. + Clean out the lint filter from your dryer before or after every load of laundry. This helps the dryer run more efficiently and prevents the lint from becoming a fire hazard. + During warmer months, try to set your thermostat at a comfortable temperature around 78 degrees. The setting can be even higher if no one is home. The air conditioner cools at the same rate no matter what the thermostat setting, so adjusting it to a lower temperature for example 72 degrees, does not make your home get cooler any faster than just keeping it set to 78 degrees. In fact, it just causes the system to work harder and reduces its efficiency. + If the building temperature is too hot or cold, or if your thermostat does not seem to control the temperature properly, please notify Property Management. + Turn the heat or air conditioning to OFF when you have windows or doors open. + Do not place furniture next to the vents in your apartment, as that can block the heat and air conditioning from entering the rest of the room. + Get to know your AC unit! Some units in this community have fresh air intakes which rely upon the fan to bring in fresh, filtered air. When the air needs conditioning, the full unit will turn on depending on your thermostat setting. The fresh air helps keep your indoor environment healthier and the fan uses very little energy. + If you would like to learn more about how your heating and air conditioning system works, contact Property Management. one ceiling fan... Your home includes at least WATER + When using a sink or the shower, don t run the faucet longer than is necessary for your task. For instance, when brushing your teeth, turn off the water while you brush and then back on when you are ready to rinse. + When you turn off a faucet, make sure that it is all the way off. + Notify Property Management right away if you hear the sound of dripping or trickling water in your apartment, or notice that your faucets are leaking or that your toilet is running too long after it has been flushed. + Limit the length of your shower to minutes. + When using a clothes washer, try to accumulate medium to full-size loads when possible or select the setting for smaller loads. This will reduce the amount of water used and the energy required to heat the water. The average person, who keeps the water running while brushing their teeth, will use gallons of water. use it! + Ceiling fans cool you down by keeping air moving across your skin in a process called evaporative cooling. Fans make you feel cooler but do not actually drop the temperature in a room, so turn them off when you leave the room. Reduce water waste! Always wash medium to full-size loads

9 Bed Bug Prevention and Control Bed bugs are small, nocturnal insects that feed on blood. Bed bugs are typically found on mattresses, box springs and bed frames, clothing, bedding, furniture, or any dark cracks, seams, or crevices in walls or floors. They can travel through water pipes, wall voids, and ducts, and can spread from room to room. Some people who are bitten by them get itchy welts on their skin. PEST CONTROL Roaches, rodents, bed bugs oh my! Aside from being, well, pests, they can also carry disease. If you find bugs, ants, rodents, or other pests in your apartment, report it to Property Management immediately. Nobody wants to live with pests and the best line of defense between those unwanted guests is to keep your home interior clean. The best pest control strategy is to keep pests from coming into your apartment in the first place! Many pests are attracted by grease, sweets, other types of food, and standing water. If your apartment is clean and dry, it isn t likely that pests will want to live there. The following are some specific steps that you can take to keep pests from finding food, water, or hiding places in your apartment. Pest Prevention Tips + Clean up any open/unsealed food and crumbs. Be sure to wrap and seal all leftover food and put it in the refrigerator or in a cabinet assuming you can seal it tightly. + Do not leave dirty dishes out overnight. + Clean up spills or sticky substances from all floors and surfaces. + Keep your kitchen clean (counters, cabinets, sink, floors, stove, microwave, etc.). Be sure to clean up any grease with soapy water and dry off any wet areas. + Sweep, mop, and vacuum regularly. + Rinse bottles, cans, and containers before putting the bin you have designated for recycling collection in your apartment. Clean out the recycling bin often to remove sticky residues. + Take your garbage and recyclables to the trash collection area at least once a week (or, if you suspect that there are any pests in your apartment, take garbage out every evening). + Minimize clutter and paper piles that can provide hiding places for pests. + If you notice any water leaks or moisture-damaged materials in your apartment, report the issue to building maintenance staff immediately. Remember, standing water can invite unwanted pests into the apartment. 14 What to look for to identify bed bugs? + Adults are about 3/16-inch long and have flat, reddish-brown bodies with six legs. + After feeding, they become round and red. + They often give off a sweet, musty odor. + Their eggs are white and very small, and their excrement appears as tiny brown or black spots. Preventing bed bugs from infesting your apartment home is critical. Here are some guidelines for prevention, as well as tips for getting rid of them if they do appear. Preventing Bed Bugs + Before you move in and bring clothing and bedding into your new apartment, wash the items in hot, soapy water and dry them on the hottest dryer setting. + When infested bedding is brought into the building for washing or is removed from your unit, seal the items (e.g., sheets, blankets, pillows, and pillow cases) in a plastic bag before transporting them throughout other parts of the community and your building to avoid spreading the infestation to others. + Avoid used mattresses and bed frames as they are often breeding grounds for bed bugs. + Eliminate excess clutter (particularly near beds and clothes), to reduce the number of places where the bugs can hide. Eliminating Bed Bugs Actual Size + If you suspect there may be bed bugs in your apartment, contact Property Management immediately! + Wash any infested bedding or clothing with hot, soapy water and dry it on the hottest dryer setting. + Use hot, soapy water or rubbing alcohol to wipe surfaces where the bugs are living. + Vacuum cracks, crevices, and other hiding places in walls, floors, and furniture where adult bed bugs or eggs are found. Dispose of the vacuum contents in a sealed trash bag. + If a mattress with bed bugs on it is torn and/or infested, it will probably need to be thrown out, as the bugs can live inside the mattress where they can t be reached. Do not treat mattresses with insecticides because they can be toxic! Our Property Management team can help you dispose of the mattress. 15

10 Pesticides Do not use toxic pesticide products, such as sprays you can purchase at the store. Most pesticides are poisons and they are often harmful to humans. Studies have linked some pesticides to cancer, birth defects, neurological disorders, and immune system disorders, as well as allergies. Pesticides should be used only as a last resort and only in very small amounts. As a general rule, avoid products that are labeled Danger Poison. If ants are in your apartment, try sprinkling borax where they are entering; ants do not like boric acid. If you must use chemical pest control products, consider using only baits (for cockroaches and ants). For rodents, use traps instead of poisons. Our Property Management team is here to assist you with pest control issues. DID YOU KNOW? Most pesticides are poisons and they are often harmful to humans. As a general rule, avoid products that are labeled Danger Poison. 16

11 the information contained within this booklet is also available in video format at retreatatedgewood.com/green for assistance contact property management at (404)