The Smart Home Advantage for Multi-Dwelling Units

A dominant trend in the building of multi-dwelling units (MDUs) is heightened awareness and interest in smart technology systems that provide greater asset management and visibility across managed properties. These smart apartments use programs powered by data and technology to enhance efficiency, management and operations. IoT solutions can step in to offer electrical power distribution, safety and security functions, improved HVAC systems and smarter appliances. They can also support automation and integration services enabling benefits to property managers, building owners and residents.

Smart home technology has the ability to improve many facets of daily life and offers comprehensively comfortable and even healthy living experiences. The smart home market is projected to reach $137 billion by 2023, and, while most of this growth has been viewed in single-family homes, the MDU market has truly started to take off. IoT automation has mostly been implemented in key areas like resource management for energy and water controls to reduce utility costs and to improve sustainability. Happier tenants can also be a byproduct of smart technology installs in MDUs.

Advantages of Smart Home Tech in MDUs

1. Increased Sustainability

Multi-unit buildings consume incredibly high amounts of energy, accounting for 40 percent of total national consumption in the U.S. mostly due to heating and cooling. Factoring in sustainability is both an exercise in minimizing the building’s carbon footprint, but also an excellent method for reducing the considerable costs that come with tenant energy usage.

Installing connected utility sub-metering is one way to improve sustainability. With connected sub-metering technology, buildings can analyze tenant energy usage data for unit-to-unit based reporting. Additionally, smart water sub-metering equipment includes automatic and remote water shutoff features, providing both tenants and property management with the ability to turn off the unit’s water supply in the event of leaks. This reduces the possibility of water wastage and consequential water damage.

Installing state-of-the-art HVAC technologies that can report real-time insights and data will reduce costs by enabling better-informed management decisions. Sensor technology can monitor energy activity and make sure that cooling and heating functions are directed appropriately, therefore decreasing the building’s energy usage.

2. Actionable Insights

Connected devices are armed with real-time data with insights into natural gas, electricity, water usage and more. This data gives property managers the ability to monitor utility consumption in real-time, which allows them to spot opportunities to reduce waste and improve energy efficiency.

Some automated devices take this approach even further by providing preventative maintenance beyond initial insights. This gives property managers the tools to maintain and develop more efficient operational plans from a broad standpoint.

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3. Reduction of Risk

The list of potential risks an MDU faces is long – including mechanical failure, unit equipment malfunctions, tenant activity and more. These risks are incredibly high stakes, with the potential to put residents’ lives and property integrity in jeopardy.

Water damage is the most common cause of property damage by far, with a single incident having the potential to displace tenants and cause thousands or even millions in damages. Smart home technology can stop water damage before it happens with sensors that shut off valves when leaks are detected, or even can shut off the entire water supply if necessary and then notify you of the issue. Devices such as Sentinel Leak Defense System and sensors from Eddy Technologies offer these protective smart technologies.

4. Happier Tenants

Keeping residents happy is of the utmost importance, however, it can be a difficult thing to pull off. Dealing with tenant complaints is a regular task that property managers deal with on a daily basis, and smart home technology can help allay those issues.

One of the more frequent tenant complaints is about the temperature of their unit. With smart thermostats, tenants can have personal control over the AC and heat in their units, considerably reducing this type of complaint. Tenants will also be better-protected overall – water sensors and security systems can help keep them safer.

Smart Apartments – Investing in Smarter Living

Implementing smart home tech in MDUs usually gives an ROI in two major ways: through operational efficiencies and higher building valuations. Costs will be cut on a daily basis through decreased energy usage and a decreased chance of disaster striking. Smart Apartments can end up having an increased valuation when compared to non-smart buildings, making it an investment decision as well. High-tech smart technology with superior functions can help you leverage your MDU, giving you a leg up on attracting prospective renters.

Smart technology gives management more control over their properties and leaves them with lower bills to pay due to increased operational efficiencies, resource management and improved preventative tools. Tenants will receive better living experiences and customer service because issues can be resolved quickly with simple changes made to devices. As the demand for smart tech in MDUs grows, residents will look for a building that pulls out all the stops in giving them the best living experience possible.