Testimonials

“The Capella residential complex, located in Kensington NSW, first used the service provided by Ethan Burns, Owner/Director Sustainability Now in February 2012. Ethan carried out an Energy Audit on the 164 apartment complex and recommended 11 cost saving initiatives. All common areas of the complex, including basement garage, fire stairs, garbage and compactor rooms, and 6 lifts, have undergone one of Ethan’s recommended initiatives to operate more cost effectively and efficiently. During the past 3 and 1/2 years Capella has implemented all 11 initiatives and more, conservatively saving the Owners Corporation well in excess of a 6 figures sum on energy bills. Ethan attended site and organised all that had to be done. In April 2015 the installation was complete and the savings continue. During the latter part of 2014 Ethan also undertook a Water Audit at Capella – 1 very simple and inexpensive initiative once again has resulted in significant savings on water bills. Not only has Ethan provided Capella with an abundance of useful information and recommendations, he sourced contractors, oversaw installation and at the conclusion of the installation, reviewed billing and provided the Owners Corporation with the actual cost savings. Sustainability Now provides a comprehensive professional service. In 2012 the goal of Sustainability Now was to make the Capella residential complex sustainable for the long term. With over 15 energy and water saving initiatives in place to date, including solar power with a second installation in the pipe line, Capella is well on its way. I cannot understand any Strata or Building Manager not taking the first step and having that all-important Energy Audit carried out. We have not looked back. On behalf of the Owners Corporation, thanks again Ethan.”

Deborah Chowns

Capella – Strata Plan 77938

"Our strata engaged Ethan Burns from Sustainability Now to assist us with our energy efficiency drive. Ethan was able to support us with our water saving strategy, our electricity use reduction and provided advise on solar panel installation. Ethan gave a comprehensive service, including a tender assessment report for our options on electrical upgrades to not only reduce running costs but to be more compliant with current lighting standards. By having a comprehensive assessment, it enabled the Committee, on behalf of the Owners Corporation, to make informed decisions on the way forward. Since the upgrades, the strata has reduced water consumption by 45% and electricity consumption by 39%. I would highly recommend Ethan and Sustainability Now when considering assessing options for energy and water savings."

Nick Boyd

Former Chair - Waldorf Sydney – Strata Plan 20656

“I have worked with Ethan Burns & Sustainability Now in my capacity as a strata manager at residential and commercial schemes over the past several years. Ethan has not failed to impress me at any stage with his reporting, tendering or management of works in relation to energy efficiency (and more recently water use). I do not hesitate to recommend Ethan to clients for his independent advice, which is integral in these energy-saving projects. I look forward to continuing to refer Ethan to clients in years to come as there’s always ways in which he can recommend to improve efficiency and/or save money.”

Andrew Terrell

Senior Strata Manager, Wellman Strata

“The Palladium is a 10 storey residential complex on the corner of Miller and Jones Streets Pyrmont that was constructed by Meriton and completed in 1999. With 275 residential units, three commercial units and four levels of underground parking machinery rooms and recreation facilities managing the building is both costly and complex. This includes consuming and paying for large amounts of energy and water. With that in mind and in the face of rapidly increasing energy prices, approximately five years ago the Palladium’s Executive Committee embarked on a search for ways to both conserve energy and contain costs. Ethan Burns and his company, Sustainability Now was chosen to assist in identifying ways to reduce our energy consumption and associated costs and we have had an ongoing relationship with him since. Initially, Ethan conducted a comprehensive energy audit for the Palladium. More recently we engaged him to conduct a concise energy audit for us to assist in identifying remaining priorities and opportunities and assist us with budgeting for them. We are currently working through those priorities as funding permits. One of the major opportunities identified in this subsequent audit was replacement of existing lighting with LED lighting. Given our lack of expertise in the energy arena we chose to engage Ethan Burns to conduct the tender process on our behalf. Ethan designed and cleared the tender documentation with us, sent out the tender, received and analysed the tender responses and produced a detailed report for the Executive to consider. The work that Ethan undertook saved our volunteer Executive Members a considerable amount of work, greatly reduced the time taken to achieve an outcome, and provided assurances, that the conclusions reached were both technically competent and provided independence to the decision making process. His analysis of tender responses removed ambiguity from suppliers quotes and his report provided additional information on matters such as warranties and replacement part costs that might otherwise not have received appropriate attention. In short, the Palladium is delighted to have an ongoing relationship with Mr Burns. We greatly appreciate his knowledge and experience, his willingness to work through issues with us and explain them to us in plain English. His reports are consistently well written and presented. And easy to understand.”

Ron Shaw

Chairperson, The Palladium

“Partnering with Sustainability Now was crucial in ensuring success for our strata plan’s efficient lighting project. Using their expertise we managed to specify the exact requirements, remove all ambiguity from suppliers’ quotes and get the best price. It significantly reduced work for the Owners Corporation and allowed the Executive Committee to make an easy decision. They also identified additional information like warranty and replacement parts cost that we would not have considered. I strongly recommend using their services as their involvement saved us money and time and ensured we have a quality and sustainable solution in place.”

Miladin Milic

Executive Committee Treasurer - Arc – Strata Plan 71327