By Alex Hassel, Storage.com
As green initiatives continue to create cost-savings opportunities, more self storage operators are jumping on board to make facilities energy efficient. A recent example is Murphy Brothers Contracting, out of Mamaroneck, N.Y. It cut the ribbon on its first self storage facility, Mamaroneck Self Storage, on Oct. 28.
The 40,000 square foot structure with nearly 30,000 square feet of rentable space features Dow Powerhouse Solar Shingles, spray foam insulation, high-efficiency HVAC equipment, LED lighting, and motion controls throughout the building. Already, Murphy Brothers wants to use the facility to show its surrounding community and the industry how to “think green.” Over the next month, it’s hosting a four-part workshop, “Building Blocks for an Energy-Efficient Home,” at the location.
Murphy Brothers Contracting has been a family-owned business for the last 36 years. It’s known for building and renovating custom homes and private clubs in Westchester, N.Y. and southern Fairfield, Conn. Back in Sept. 2014, when the company began construction on Mamaroneck Self Storage, it wanted to bring a precedent to the industry. “Murphy Brothers Contracting has always believed that building green is simply building smart,” says Michael Murphy, Director of Business Development at Murphy Brothers Contracting and Mamaroneck Self Storage. “We also wanted the building to serve as an example of what can be done and encourage others to ‘think green’ when doing their own construction or renovation.”
Michael says utilizing so many green initiatives has a big payoff. With the solar shingles, insulation, HVAC equipment, LED lighting, and motion controls, Murphy Brothers expects to save $35,000 a year in operating costs. It was constructed to be 55% more energy-efficient that a standard self storage building.
With its green initiatives, Murphy Brothers also enrolled the Mamaroneck Self Storage building project in the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority’s Commercial New Construction Program, building to meet rigorous energy-efficient and sustainability standards. For its achievement, NYSERDA will give Murphy Brothers a rebate of more than $60,000.
Michael says the green features really do keep giving. “Besides the annual operation cost savings, we find that people like to support local businesses that are environmentally responsible.”
Murphy Brothers wants to help everyone have the same opportunities as well. That’s why it’s hosting the “Building Blocks for an Energy-Efficient Home” series. “Murphy Brothers Contracting is a huge proponent of education, whether it’s the architectural & design community, area homeowners, real estate agents, or our own workforce. Mamaroneck Self Storage simply gives us another 40,000 square foot forum to promote and encourage new ways of construction. It made sense,” adds Michael.
The series starts on Nov. 21. The first workshop, titled “Green Home 101: (Surprisingly) Easy Steps for Greening Your Home,” is presented by Judy Martin, founder and head of Green Home Consulting LLC. The firm works with architects, builders, and homeowners during a construction process to incorporate environmentally sensitive solutions.
The second workshop, “More Insulation for a More Comfortable, Energy Efficient Home (But How?)” is held Dec. 5. The presenter, Chris Puleo, is an energy specialist with Envirocare LLC, an environmental-remediation company that offers air-quality and insulation solutions for homeowners.
On Dec. 12, Paul Fehling presents, “LED Lighting for Your Home: Why Stay in the Dark Any Longer?” Fehling is a representative from home-furnishings provider Klaffs and has more than 20 years of experience in the lighting industry as a manufacturer representative and showroom sales specialist.
The final workshop is Dec. 19. Adam Sollner, a field-operations, installation, and specifications expert with DOW Powerhouse, presents “Solar Shingles/Solar Panels: What’s Best for My Home?”
Murphy Brothers is hosting the series inside a 10×30 storage unit at Mamaroneck Self Storage. The sessions are not only free and open to the public, but the local cable network, LMC-TV, will also broadcast the events later on. Michael adds this series is just the first of many events to come. “After the first four workshops, we’ll be incorporating other topics such as ‘recycle-repurpose-reuse’ and ‘organizing your stuff’ for a more sustainable lifestyle!” he said.
For self storage operators or anyone still skeptical about making green investments, Michael offers some advice. “Hire an energy consultant. We hired high performance building consultants, Steven Winter Associates. In the planning stages of our construction, they helped to clarify the energy cost savings that incorporating green features would realize. The investment now will pay off in future energy savings. We simply want to encourage folks to ‘think green’ when building, renovating or remodeling their homes, or their own self storage facility!”
Murphy Brothers has more plans for the Mamaroneck Self Storage property. The next phase of construction will include new offices for Murphy Brothers Contracting, a millwork shop, and at least another 40,000 square feet of self storage space.
All images have been provided by Peter Krupenye.
