Staunton Green 2020

Staunton apartment dwellers: you, too, can make a difference by “going green”.

I’ll be sharing a regular column called “Apartment Earth” that focuses on green initiatives you can take. Homeowners can benefit, too. Here’s the first installment concerning energy-efficient ways to cool off. If you have suggestions about future topics relating to green apartment living you’d like me to cover, let me know! – Katie

Living in a rental without central air conditioning? You’re not alone. So, while you’re debating the merits of buying a window air conditioning unit, a fan, or just sitting around your place naked, here are some ways to evaluate effectiveness and stay cool.

SEER Rating
Window air conditioning units are rated with SEER – which stands for seasonal energy-efficiency rating.

Jump to RentedSpaces to read the rest.

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Local NBC29 reports the recent efforts by the City of Staunton to save energy and taxpayer money.

Some highlights:

• In the last 18 months, Staunton City Hall has cut energy use by 20 percent. Other city buildings have also seen double-digit drops
• Energy-use changes in the public school system alone have already saved the City nearly $70,000
• More efficient, modern air conditioning units installed in public buildings
• Encouraging new development to incorporate green practices — encourage, not legislate — (e.g. Western State Hospital)
• Investigating funds to replace school crossing signals with solar powered units and using water-based paints whenever possible

Watch the video here.

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Kudos to the Stonewall Jackson Hotel! The hotel recently debuted its rooftop garden in our historic downtown. The hotel minimizes stormwater runoff while also saving nearly 20 gallons of water a day from this project. Added bonus? The garden provides locally-grown food for guests! Click here to download a pdf providing more information.

Says an article from NBC Channel 29:

“The initiative is designed to be a low-cost, high quality alternative to trucking in produce from out of town.

Hamilton says he plans to have much of what he’s growing go from the garden to the dinner table quickly, “Super fresh, it won’t get any fresher–as a matter of fact in some instances it will be just minutes before, between the time the product is picked and actually served.”

The rooftop garden uses water from the hotel’s air conditioning unit to care for the vegetables.”

Show your appreciation for Stonewall Jackson Hotel’s green roof efforts by recommending the hotel to visiting friends and family.