The rising cost of utility bills urges owners and operators of apartment buildings to pursue more sustainable practices. Reduced operational costs and energy savings are among the benefits managers can achieve by implementing these energy savings strategies for multifamily buildings. Today’s topic focuses on the different approaches to energy and financial savings.

Upgrade and Maintain HVAC Systems

HVAC contributes largely to the total energy consumption in multifamily buildings. During peak seasons, older inefficient HVAC units will incur high energy use due to tenants’ dependency upon them for maintaining their environment during extreme weather conditions. Install programmable thermostats in shared corridors or changing worn out air filters can be a great first step in reducing waste. In common spaces such as lobbies or shared living areas, an HVAC upgrade can offer immediate energy savings. Tenants also appreciate improvements to comfort control, making them more likely to stay in a well-maintained property.

Save on Water Usage

Water heaters are another significant contributor to power usage within multifamily buildings. Installing control settings will help regulate water heating during peak times, such as early mornings when the demand is high. This would mean that the water heater can be set to heat up the water only when it is needed, then it remains off the rest of the time.

Regular upkeep of hot water tanks and pipes also play an important factor in conserving water. Leaky pipes can lead to wasted water and use more energy to heat it.

Lighting Controls and LEDs

One of the best ways to reduce power consumption is to upgrade your lighting system. LEDs have a high upfront cost but lead to a better return on investment than alternative lighting, like fluorescent or incandescent, because they have a longer lifespan and use less energy.

Paring LEDs with lighting controls in common areas of a multifamily building, such as lobbies, stairwells and hallways, will cut down energy usage. Motion sensors can be especially useful during off-peak hours, like late at night when tenants are most likely sleeping.

Lighting Maintenance Plans

Establishing a lighting maintenance plan is an important tool for building management. It can help avoid unexpected power outages or other costly repairs. A well-planned strategy like group re-lamping, where you replace all the bulbs in an area at the same time, can streamline maintenance. When combined with an upgrade to LED lighting, this approach not only ensures a uniform look throughout the building but also reduces the frequency of bulb replacements due to LEDs’ longer lifespan.

With a group re-lamping plan, you can reduce overall maintenance costs and avoid the hassle of needing to replace bulbs right before important inspections or visits from corporate stakeholders. The combination of energy efficiency and reduced maintenance is a clear benefit for multifamily property owners.

Educate Tenants on Conserving Energy

Educating tenants about energy efficiency can significantly alter the rate of usage. There are many tenants who are willing to learn about saving energy, especially when they themselves bear the costs of its consumption. The easiest way to ensure that tenants understand how they can cut down on their electricity is by hosting training sessions where these issues can be discussed or by providing leaflets and posters that tenants can take home and read later.

Obtain Financial Rebates

A lot of multifamily property owners do not know that there are different financial incentives available to lower the costs of energy efficient projects. Incentive Rebate360 offers rebate management for improvements to lighting, HVAC, water systems, and more. By referring to our experts, property managers can offset the initial costs of energy-saving upgrades. Clients also have access to our Partner Hub and can utilize our partnerships with other companies, like Action Services Group, a national provider of lighting, electrical and signage services.

Partnering with a rebate management service can simplify the application process, ensuring you maximize these valuable savings.

Multifamily Energy Savings Through Incentive Rebate360

Implementing strategies that conserve power in buildings for multifamily use also leads to lower operating expenses while at the same time increasing customer satisfaction and asset worth. Owners and operators should consider sustainable measures that will provide environmentally friendly living spaces at reduced costs by improving lighting and air conditioning systems, controlling water usage as well as engaging tenants on conservation initiatives for their own good. Furthermore, these improvements are made more affordable through financial incentives and refunds which sweeten the deal.

If your multifamily building is considering an energy efficiency upgrade, contact one of our rebate recovery specialists to see if there are rebates available for you as well as to review our rebate management process. Contact us today by calling 480-653-8180, emailing [email protected], or schedule a call that fits your needs by clicking the button below!