As energy costs continue to rise, so too do the costs of multifamily (MDU) construction. In an increasingly competitive housing market, developers and property managers are under pressure to find ways to reduce these escalating expenses.
Fortunately, by including energy management technology in their initial construction, MDU operators can reduce operating costs, improve retention rates, increase revenue streams and property value. Indeed, building new construction projects with energy efficiency in mind is easier and far less expensive than retrofitting.
But how exactly does a property manager go about doing this? Well, there is no better way than implementing energy management systems in early-phase MDU construction.
The Importance of Energy Management in MDU Construction
Building for upcoming energy needs during the construction phase is far more efficient and cost-effective than retrofitting later. Indeed, implementing a more proactive approach helps avoid costly renovations (such as retrofitting) and ensures seamless integration of advanced technologies. The end result is lower energy bills, reduced maintenance costs, and increased property value.
Lower Energy Bills
Centralized energy management systems deliver significant cost-savings, particularly during early phase construction. Multifamily property managers that incorporate an energy management system from the onset in their MDU developments benefit from automated, real-time adjustments to heating and cooling.
Additionally, integrating an energy management system during construction is more cost-effective than retrofitting later, as it avoids the added expenses of modifying existing structures and minimizes disruption to tenants. The long-term savings are even more considerable for MDU property managers, leading to lower utility costs.
Reduced Maintenance Costs
Beyond climate control, energy management systems can be used to alert multifamily property managers when a system is about to crash. Indeed, these intelligent systems can detect inefficiencies, like an overworked smart HVAC unit, before they escalate into costly repairs.
Automated system checks and predictive alerts allow property managers to schedule preventative maintenance, avoiding major breakdowns and reducing the need for emergency repairs. Over time, these streamlined maintenance schedules preserve the longevity of your MDU’s smart energy management systems, while maintaining resident comfort.
Increased Property Value and Tenant Retention
Smart energy management not only increases property value in the long term, but also enhances tenant retention. Of course, energy-efficient MDUs attract discerning tenants seeking lower utility costs and eco-friendly living spaces. In fact, according to a study done by NMHC and Kinsley Associates, 77% of renters would pay 30$ per month more if their unit featured such smart technology.
And while the initial investment may seem costly, the upfront costs are more than offset by long-term savings generated by energy management technologies down the line. With various rebates and incentives from local utility companies, some property managers have even achieved a payback period in as little as one year.
Sustainability Objectives
Energy management technologies have transformed the way MDU operators manage their properties, shifting the focus on long-term sustainability. Whether that results in smart thermostat and smart HVAC technology installation or smart water management and energy-efficient windows, there are countless ways multifamily property managers can reach their sustainability and ESG targets.
In doing so, MDU operators gain access to advantageous financing products, which they can then reinvest into their properties. But achieving ESG goals is more than implementing sustainable MDU best practices for financial benefits. Indeed, it is about creating a living space and management culture that reflects the diversity and needs of your residents and society at large.
Enhanced Comfort
Tenant comfort and tenant satisfaction play a critical role in reducing turnover in multifamily properties. While an MDU operator is tasked with streamlining costs, it should never come at the expense of resident comfort.
Fortunately, an energy management system ensures consistent temperatures in individual units, as well as common areas, while reducing costs. Of course, an energy management system also gives multifamily property managers the ability to adjust heating and cooling remotely, optimizing climate control from wherever they may be for enhanced comfort.
Key Components of Smart Energy Management Systems
Energy management systems play an integral role at reducing long-term costs in MDU construction. From remote access and automated alerts to integrated mesh networking, these key features of energy management systems lower utility expenses, minimize maintenance, and ensure long-term cost savings for both developers and tenants.
Easy Installation
Verdant’s energy management solutions integrate effortlessly into any multifamily property, significantly boosting convenience and energy efficiency. Designed as a plug-and-play option, they support both wired and wireless setups, ideal for new constructions and retrofits. This seamless installation ensures lower upfront and long-term costs in MDU construction.
Moreover, our smart thermostats (VX4 Smart Thermostats, ZX Smart Thermostats and VX Smart Thermostats) can be self-installed in under 10 minutes, giving MDU operators the ability to implement energy management best practices with little to no disruption to tenants.
Advanced Integrations
Energy management solutions should provide more than basic control over heating and cooling. Indeed, our smart energy management systems offer advanced integrations for enhanced MDU operational efficiency. Verdant’s energy management solutions seamlessly integrate with Building Management Systems (BMS) and Property Management Software (PMS), delivering a unified platform for streamlined MDU management.
Our energy management solutions also come equipped with Demand Response (DR) capabilities, giving MDUs the ability to participate in utility-sponsored programs. Demand Response integration not only supports grid stability during peak demand, but also creates additional streams of revenue for your business.
Night Occupancy Detection, Dynamic Recovery, and Flexible Setback
Beyond seamless installation and advanced integrations, Verdant’s energy management solutions come equipped with a range of features that can help maximize energy savings. Night Occupancy Mode, for example, detects body motion and heat, ensuring unprecedented accuracy in determining actual occupancy and automatically adjusting heating and cooling settings accordingly.
Dynamic Recovery, on the other hand, ensures a seamless transition back to desired temperatures by preconditioning spaces before tenants wake up, maintaining comfort while conserving energy. Finally, Flexible Setback allows MDU operators to set custom temperatures based on energy goals and tenant preferences. When paired with smart thermostats and occupancy sensors, these features help balance energy efficiency with resident comfort.
Integrated Mesh Networking
Unlike traditional energy management systems that depend on a building’s Wi-Fi, our smart energy management solutions operate independently by creating their own dedicated network. This eliminates any strain on your current bandwidth, allowing uninterrupted operation without affecting essential services.
Indeed, this mesh network ensures smart devices can communicate with each other efficiently, even across large or complex MDUs. Our integrated mesh network relays data from one unit to another, delivering full coverage, increased reliability, and can be easily scaled as your energy management needs expand.
Smart HVAC Compatibility
Energy management solutions with the capability to seamlessly integrate with smart HVAC systems ensure lower installation costs for MDU operators. Indeed, Verdant’s smart energy management technology offers unparalleled compatibility with almost any heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, including Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) systems from top brands like LG, Mitsubishi, and Carrier.
From traditional split systems to packaged terminal air conditioners (PTACs) and advanced VRT Technology, our energy management solutions adapt effortlessly for a seamless installation. This ensures multifamily property managers can optimize energy efficiency and deliver energy savings, no matter the smart HVAC system in place.
Remote Visibility
Verdant’s energy management systems offer centralized control of your smart thermostats throughout your entire property, giving MDU operators the ability to remotely monitor and adjust temperatures in real time. This remote access ultimately helps reduce energy waste, while simultaneously improving resident comfort.
Fortunately, our smart thermostats come equipped with remote access features and can be managed via smartphone apps, tablets, and voice-activated devices. Best of all, remote visibility also enables staff to address potential issues early on, from wherever they may be. The end result is seamless multifamily property management, increased tenant satisfaction, and reduced energy costs.
Automated Alerts
Maximizing energy efficiency in MDUs requires a proactive approach, and automated alerts make this possible. Indeed, Verdant’s smart thermostats send real-time notifications to on-site staff, allowing them to address performance issues, such as energy savings falling below 90%, before they worsen.
These automated alerts ultimately enable quick action, preventing critical system failures and further complications. Moreover, when subscribed to Verdant Plus, monthly reports and energy savings alerts keep both staff and MDU operators informed of energy efficiency, while escalation emails ensure any inefficiencies are flagged before they become major concerns. If an alert isn’t resolved, daily reminder emails are sent to property staff for five consecutive days.
Reduce Long-Term MDU Construction Costs with Verdant
Much like other commercial properties ( e.g Student Living, Hotels, and Senior Housing Facilities ) value-added services are a significant cost center for multifamily properties. After all, tenant satisfaction and comfort should not be sacrificed at the expense of energy efficiency.
Fortunately, with Verdant’s energy management solutions, MDU operators can maximize energy savings without sacrificing resident comfort. These smart technologies seamlessly integrate with multifamily properties of all sizes, offering a tailored, plug-and-play solution for all your energy needs.
These energy management systems not only help you streamline energy consumption and energy waste in real-time, but also help you track energy savings. Easy to install, compatible with almost any smart HVAC system, and featuring advanced integrations, our energy management solutions help attract quality tenants, improve retention, and long-term revenue. Join the industry-leading partners and learn just how much you can save on energy costs with our energy management system.