All-Star Interviews: Paul Johnson - Sustainable Landlord!
By tinychoices | September 19, 2008
Paul Johnson is a resident of Madison Wisconsin. He was referred to us by Bridget, who lives in one of his apartments and has raved to Team Tiny Choices before about how great it is to have a landlord who is so sustainable. Paul and his wife take the initiative in installation of a number of green or sustainable measures in his apartments. We asked him some questions about what he does and why he does it:
Can you please tell us some of the measures you take to make your apartments more efficient?
My wife and I have tried to implement several low cost but helpful measures:
- We do not use artificial fertilizer or pesticides on the lawn. We do use corn gluten as a natural weed inhibitor, which also has some nutritional value for the grass.
- We cut the grass long, with a reel or electric mower.
- We offer gardening space for tenants who wish to grow vegetables.
- We have compost bins for kitchen waste.
- I have dug a compost hole in the ground for pet waste.
- We have put compact flourescent light bulbs in all permanent fixtures.
- The heat is managed by a programmable thermostat that the tenants control.
- Rain barrels are installed in one building, as well as our own home.
- Insulation has been upgraded to R-50 or so in one building, with the other to follow soon.
- Appliances will be replaced with energy efficient models when they wear out.
- The City of Madison is doing well with an excellent recycling program.
- Finally, I bought a used Burley and try to use that to carry tools and supplies when I bike to one apartment and do repair work.
What was the reason at first for implementing greener measures?
The main reason is that it is a reflection of our values, that we try to tread lightly on the earth.
How long ago did you start making these changes?
We have always tried to be environmentally conscious, so I installed the first set back thermostats around 18 years ago, as well as insulating hot water pipes around that time. It is an easy way to save money!
Do you recognize any of the monetary pay-back for these green measures or are they passed on entirely to your tenants?
Monetary gains are for the tenants, though the green measures are highlighted when we show the apartments, and in that way they are easier to lease, and our financial interests are tended to.
If you see the return-on-investment on your improvements, would you say they have paid for themselves?
I am fairly sure that they do, as the initial costs so far are minimal, some sweat on my part gets repaid in the satisfaction I get from doing the work.
Do you advertise your apartments-for-rent as “green” or “sustainable?”
Only when we discuss the features as they are being shown. We have not had to advertise yet, as the neighborhood we live in is very popular, so we usually just put a sign in the yard.
How do your tenants react to the green measures you’ve implemented?
Most seem to appreciate it, though that is not the main reason we do it.
Have you had to educate your tenants, or do they generally understand what you’re doing and why?
Both really, some have not seen a set back thermostat before, but most people who want to live in this area are very well informed and educated.
Many of our readers are apartment-dwellers - how would you recommend they approach their landlords to make changes similar to those you’ve implemented?
I think the best way readers can get their landlords to make green choices is to do some research, present them with the data showing potential cost savings (especially if landlords pay for utilities, such as heat, a/c, and hot water), and if possible, offer to do some of the easier work such as insulating hot water pipes. Emphasize that many tenants are looking for these green types of places to live.
What is the most important local environmental issue to you at this time?
Too many to count, though clean water, climate change and clean energy are top candidates for my number one environmental issue.
Do you feel optimistic, pessimistic, or somewhere in-between about environmental issues?
I feel very optimistic, mostly because the rest of the world seems to be gung ho about caring for the earth, and I have reason to believe the United States will wake up soon, though I think the price of gas and heat will have something to do with that.
Thanks, Paul, for your time in interviewing and also for the awesome things you’re doing in Madison!
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- Making Seltzer More Sustainable
- Tiny Choices Weekly Round Up
- Free Water Conservation Kits!
- Tiny Choices Survey: Marleah
Topics: All-Star Interviews |
I have a great landlord!
How awesome! It never even occurred to me to search for sustainable landlords! This will be great info to ask about in the future wherever I move to– I should make it a habit to quiz our landlords on their eco-friendly policies and practices.
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