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The word “green” is tossed around a lot. What does it actually mean?

Some representatives from the Hunter Green Cleaning team came last week for the JRC Training Day. When I asked them what “green” means to them, they replied simply “less harmful chemicals.”

They said customers are asking for green cleaning, so it makes smart business sense to figure out how to meet that demand.

We talked about the fact that professional cleaners often worry that customers will complain about green products not “smelling clean” because most people are so used to the traditional pungent smell of bleach and other harmful chemicals.

But the Hunter cleaners said they have had nothing but a positive reception to their new Eco-friendly approach.

Hunter still offers their traditional cleaning services but, with the same price for both traditional and eco services, they are transitioning to a lot more green cleaning jobs.

You can learn more about Hunter’s efforts on their website, http://www.hunterbestcleaning.com/HunterGreenCleaning/.

Or find J.Racenstein’s green cleaning products http://www.jracenstein.com/catalog/Green_Cleaners.html.

New to Green Cleaning or seasoned pro?

Learn how to become green or teach your fellow window cleaners how to make the move! http://www.jracenstein.com/forums

There has been a lot of buzz about PACE financing lately, but what exactly is it? And how does it affect the buildings we care for?

PACE is an acronym for Property Assessed Clean Energy. A PACE bond is issued by a city and the proceeds are then loaned to building owners, so that they can finance green energy retrofits.

Retrofits typically include installing energy efficient windows, insulation and solar panels.

The loans are then repaid over the assigned term, usually between 15 to 20 years, at a competitive interest rate, via an annual assessment on the owners property tax bill. A unique attribute to these bonds, is that the loan is attached to the property, rather than an individual.

These bonds have been creating a lot of stir in congress lately, and in the cities that are attempting to adopt them. So, let’s dig a little deeper…

Pros:

PACE bonds make energy retrofits affordable by avoiding steep upfront costs. Building owners can spread the cost out over time, so they can start to realize the energy savings before they have to make their loan payment — a situation which often results in net-positive returns at the end of the year.

The perk of the loan being attached to the property, rather than the owner, is that the risk is more proportional to the rewards. Without PACE, an owner might go through all the trouble of enacting energy saving measures, but may have to sell the property before reaping any of the rewards. With PACE, even if the owner has to sell the property soon after the retrofits, he or she can pass on a portion of the responsibility, along with the rewards, to the new owner.

And I cannot describe PACE bonds, without pointing out the obvious, yet crucial motive behind them: preserving the Environment. Incentivizing green retrofits in buildings will increase energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and encourage the shift to renewable sources of energy all of which will aid in larger climate goals.

Because PACE is funded through municipal bonds, it creates no liability to the city’s funds, yet it can help cities create jobs and thus spur local economic development.

Cons:

Sounds great, how could anyone object?

Well, as the LA Times reported last Thursday, lenders are alarmed by the fact that PACE funds are to be paid back before a mortgage in the case of a foreclosure. Lenders warn that they might have to tighten standards for entire communities that participate in PACE financing.

Tighter standards mean larger down payment requirements and less home loans. And for existing mortgage owners who participate in PACE, they might even be violating the terms of their mortgage.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which is the regulator and conservator for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and 12 Federal Home Loan Banks, a.k.a. they can sort of speak on behalf of “lenders”, released a statement in July that PACE was too risky, especially in a shaky housing market.

Recent Developments…

Objections by federal regulators have put a lot of PACE programs on hold. As a result, projects have been halted and many building companies that were counting on eco-retrofit projects, are wondering if they can keep their doors open.

“Several lawsuits have been filed against the FHFA, and Congress is considering legislation that would force the agency to support the program,” according to the LA Times.

But many avid supporters of PACE are beginning to look at other funding solutions.

If you are greening your building cleaning and maintenance company, these eco-projects are probably on your radar as key growth targets (whether you knew they were dependent on PACE or not!) So, keep an eye on EcoGurus.com for updates on PACE and other green retrofit financing solutions.

Photo Courtesy of http://www.facebook.com/chevroletvolt

The Green world was thrilled last week, when Chevrolet Volt, a hot new electric car, was so tempting that President Obama asked for special permission to take it for a spin.

Even if it was only a 10 foot test drive.

It’s not often that the President drives himself. In fact, Obama has only gotten behind the wheel once since coming to office. But after touring a General Motors facility in Hamtramck, MI. on Friday, he asked the secret service if he could get a closer look.

The Chevy Volt is a 340-mile extended range electric vehicle, and thanks to strong public support for the vehicle, GM announced that the company will increase the U.S. production capacity by 50 percent in 2012.

The 2011 model is currently priced at $41,000. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 also provides tax incentives for plug-in electric drive vehicles. The minimum amount of the credit for qualified vehicles is $2,500 and the credit tops out at $7,500, depending on the battery capacity.

Obama’s verdict? “I’m telling you guys, pretty smooth.”

Obama is no stranger to the green car world. Before trading in his civilian ride for Secret Service wheels in the spring of 2007, he drove a Ford Escape Hybrid.

Of course, if the president or anyone else bought a shiny new Chevy Volt, they could depend on H2-Zero Waterless Carwash to keep their vehicle looking fine.

Can a graffiti remover be flammable and corrosive and still be “green”?

The answer is yes. The following is information is substantiated and verified by ChemTel, Inc., one of America’s leading chemical consulting companies. It is a high level description of why our product, Strong Green by 3-Star, passes their Enviro-Kleen Certification.

Flammability does not impact environmental acceptability of a product. A Flammable product may be considered environmentally preferred due to the reactive nature of organic solvents created under environmental conditions (breaking down and degrading in the air, water and soil) making the product highly biodegradable and considered “green.” This important property is not shared by over 90% of other organic solvents used for similar purposes.

Corrosive products containing over 20% Sodium Hydroxide are definitely corrosive to many reactive metals such as non-ferrous metals (like aluminum) and can also be immediately toxic to most aquatic organisms at this concentration. Concentrations lower than 20% (3 Star products with Sodium Hydroxide range between 5-10% concentration) however, while still considered reactive to metals, are considerably less toxic to most aquatic organisms and will rapidly dilute further in ambient waters to be of no consequence to the environment. Graffiti removers are therefore considered “green” at a concentration level of <20%.

Factors to be considered in being “green”:

• 3 Star products certified with the Enviro-Kleen Certification are products that have been established as “environmentally preferred” because they are certified safe for the air, water, and soil – our environment.
• Environmentally preferred products must have a high degree of biodegradability.
• Environmentally preferred products must prevent and reduce waste – no added recovery, recycling or disposal costs.
• Environmentally preferred products must sustain pollution prevention – formula reduction of environmental pollutants.
• Environmentally preferred products must generate life cycle cost value – minimal use and operational costs.
• Environmentally preferred products must exhibit superior performance – high degree of product function.

This article is a follow up to our original post: Green Graffiti Remover

It’s not often that one can spray paint their office building —and not break the law. But that’s just what we did here at J. Racenstein, to test our line of 3-Star Green Graffiti Removal products.
Some of us were better at spray art than others. But no one questioned how such talents were gained. Instead, we channeled our inner street artist, took the caps off red, black and green aerosol cans and “painted” the 20-foot high wall of our Southern California warehouse, along with some brick and concrete demonstration boards, and a “no parking” sign. All to demonstrate on a variety of porous surfaces.

One of our own even volunteered his 1995 black Impala! We happily decorated the Chevy with racing symbols and dollar signs.

After our man-made destruction came the test, would our 3-Star products remove the paint from so many different surfaces? The easy-to-use products worked! And the Chevy owner was especially thrilled!

We tried out various methods for application: paint rollers, brushes and simple spray bottles. The spray bottle was easiest if the surface wasn’t too big. But dear user, beware of the wind direction. Even though 3-Star products are biodegradable and healthy for the environment, they are still powerful cleaners not meant to be sprayed on like sunscreen.

We were ready with a power washer handy for removing the Strong Green (with the paint!), but we barely used it. A simple hose was enough. The red paint, on really porous surfaces such as concrete, proved to be a bit vexing and needed an extra shot from the power washer. But most paint came off with ease.

Today, our walls and parking signs look just like normal. But we still don’t recommend this kind of test without the boss’ approval!

Look out for the videos online soon at http://www.jracenstein.com/videos.