It is that time of year again! I know that some individuals are focusing on politics this week. This is understandable, but it is important for us to also focus on a critical aspect of managing our properties: seasonal preparations.
First up is your irrigation schedule. For many parts of the country, it is time to turn irrigation off. If you have not already converted to smart irrigation systems, this is a must-do. As temperatures drop, an active irrigation system could lead to unnecessary water consumption, which can affect your winter water rates. You read that correctly. In some markets, how much water you use impacts how much you pay per gallon. Many jurisdictions raise the per-gallon charge for users with high consumption. Less water use equals cheaper water rates.
Your water consumption can also impact your sewer rates if your irrigation and building usage are served by the same water meter.
Given the frequency and amount of rainfall at this time of year along with the cooler temperatures, less water is needed to sustain plant material. While you should verify with your landscaper that your species of plants will survive without additional irrigation before reducing schedules, it is a good idea to at least check. I have seen properties where the programming schedules are not changed from the summer cycle to the winter schedule and the result is overwatered plants, reduced curb appeal (too much water causes wilting too), runoff of topsoil, and an empty pocketbook. Consider adjusting your irrigation schedules if you have not already done so.
The second thing to consider is your exterior lighting. Many of us still use timers on our outdoor lighting. The daylight savings time adage “Spring Forward, Fall Back” needs to be applied to our lighting time clocks post haste. Even though this change in programming is not always deemed “sustainability” but rather is perceived as a “safety measure”, I still think of it as part of what we do as sustainability practitioners. We want to apply the right amount of light at the needed times. That means adjusting our lighting time clocks so our lights turn on at dusk and turn off at sunrise. This will also benefit your electricity rates if you are on a time-of-use rate plan as it will align your consumption with the lower pricing tiers.
Maybe someday we will no longer have to participate in daylight savings time and adjusting our lighting schedules will become unnecessary. Maybe AI will adjust them for us, simplifying our seasonal preparations. Perhaps someday our irrigation systems will be controlled by robots, so we will not need to adjust them. Until then, let us remember to take care of the things that affect our costs, the quality of our assets and our future.
