Multi-Dwelling Units: The Smart Home Advantage

Multi-dwelling units (MDU) builders are increasingly adopting smart technology systems that simplify asset handling and property management. Data and technology drive the programmes in these “smart apartments” to enhance management, operations, and efficiency.

IoT solutions can help with things like distributing electricity, keeping people safe, making HVAC systems better, and making products smarter. They can also help with automation and integration services, which are beneficial for building owners, property managers, and residents.

Smart home technology can enhance many aspects of daily life, promoting comfort and even health. Currently, single-family houses are experiencing the majority of the growth in the smart home market. But now, the multifamily market has really started to take off. Important areas, such as managing water and energy resources, have primarily utilised IoT automation to reduce costs and promote environmental sustainability. Adding smart technology to multifamily buildings can also make the people who live there happier.

Advantages of Smart Home Tech in MDUs

1. Increased Sustainability

Multi-unit buildings consume a significant amount of energy, accounting for 40% of all energy use in the U.S., primarily for heating and cooling. Focusing on sustainability can reduce a building’s carbon impact. This is also a beneficial way to cut down on the high costs that come with tenants using a lot of energy.

One way to make things more sustainable is to install connected energy sub-metering. With connected sub-metering technology, buildings can look at data on how much energy tenants use to make unit-by-unit reports. In addition, smart water sub-metering equipment has automatic and remote water shutoff features that let renters and property management turn off the unit’s water supply if there are any leaks. This reduces the likelihood of water waste and damage.

Putting in cutting-edge HVAC technologies that can give managers real-time information and data will cut costs by helping them make better decisions. Sensor technology monitors energy consumption and ensures optimal functioning of the cooling and heating systems, thereby reducing the building’s energy consumption.

2. Actionable Insights

Connected devices have real-time info that tells you about how much natural gas, electricity, water, and other resources you use. With this information, property managers can see how much power is being used right now, which helps them find ways to cut down on waste and make the building more energy efficient.

Some automated devices go even further with this idea by offering preventative upkeep on top of the initial insights. In a broad sense, this gives property managers the tools they need to keep and improve business plans.

Companies that run properties and build new ones are looking to the smart home to help them do their jobs better. Smarter living can pay off in a number of ways, such as better control of utilities and happier renters.

3. Reduction of Risk

There are a lot of things that could go wrong with an MDU, like mechanical failure, broken unit equipment, tenant behaviour, and more. These risks are very serious and could put people’s lives and the security of the property at risk.

By far, the most common type of property damage is water damage, which can force renters to leave and cause thousands or even millions of dollars in damages. Water damage can be avoided before it happens with smart home technology that has sensors that turn off taps or even the whole water supply if needed and then let you know what’s wrong. These smart technologies for protection can be found in devices like the Sentinel Leak Defence System and monitors from Eddy Technologies.

4. Happier Tenants

Even though making sure people are happy is very important, it can be hard to do. A lot of the time, property managers have to deal with complaints from tenants. Smart home technology can help solve these problems.

A common issue that tenants have is that their room is too hot or too cold. With smart thermostats, tenants can control the heat and air conditioning in their own rooms, which makes this type of complaint much less likely to happen. Also, tenants will be safer generally because security systems and water sensors can help keep them safe.

Smart Apartments—Investing in Smarter Living

Adding smart home technology to multifamily buildings generally results in a return on investment (ROI) in two main ways: making operations run more smoothly and raising the building’s value. Every day costs will go down because less energy will be used and disasters are less likely to happen. Smart apartments can be worth more than buildings that aren’t smart, so buying one can also be seen as an investment. High-tech smart technology with better features can help you make the most of your MDU, which will give you an edge when trying to rent it out.

Management has more control over their properties with smart technology, and their bills are lower because of better tools for prevention, resource management, and running operations more efficiently. Because problems can be fixed quickly by making small changes to devices, tenants will have better living conditions and better customer service. With more people wanting smart technology in multifamily buildings, people will look for a building that goes above and beyond to give them the best living experience possible.