Energy Consumption Tips for Multi-family Properties
A multi-family property can be described as a building that accommodates more than one family, with each family living in separate units. A sizable fraction of Americans live in multi-family buildings and these structures provide several opportunities for being energy efficient. Both property owners and tenants stand to benefit from opting for energy-smart ways.
Here are some energy consumption tips that can be implemented with ease in multi-family buildings by property owners and/or tenants.
Opt for ENERGY STAR- certified Appliances
The ENERGY STAR certification essentially helps classify among various appliances and helps buyers make a more informed choice keeping in mind the energy consumption. While we understand that replacing the appliances in all the units can be expensive, property owners can make a conscious effort to opt for an ENERGY STAR-certified item going forward. This includes everything from as small as bulbs to large appliances like refrigerators.
Opting for Community Solar
Households in a multi-family building can enjoy unparalleled benefits with community solar. The idea of shared solar is to make the most of local shared solar resources available by tapping into it for cheaper living costs. Shared solar offers incomparable energy independence, empowers tenants with savings in their utility bills and does not require them to bother about any hardware installation.
Ensure that the HVAC systems are up to date
Outdated heating and cooling systems in buildings are culprits for high energy consumption. If you own or live in a building with an HVAC system that is more than 10 years old, it may be time for the systems to be changed. The modern heating and cooling systems are designed keeping energy optimization and savings in mind.
Let Data Lead the Way
The alternative energy market features several SaaS brands that are helping communities become energy efficient. For example, Ivy Energy helps tenants and property owners adopt a greener way of living with their virtual grid utility. The platform uses data to understand energy consumption patterns and for allocating shared solar energy in multi-family units. Software services like this one and others help you find the gaps that may be hindering the building from becoming more energy efficient.
Improve Insulation
Ensuring that the building is well insulated can be a reliable way of lowering heating bills. Proper insulation helps avoid heat loss. A property’s insulation can be improved by insulating boiler pipes and ensuring that 12-20 inches above the top floor. If the multi-family unit is located in a colder region, wall insulation can also be explored. Insulating the walls may be an expensive option but can provide long term benefits environmentally as well as cost-wise.
One of the best ways to make a multi-family dwelling more energy efficient is with the use of alternative sources of energy, like solar. For property owners in California, adhering to the Solar Mandate and making the appropriate changes to the building can be beneficial in several ways. One of them is that an energy-efficient unit is more attractive to tenants as it would translate to cheaper utility bills for them.
Pioneering the Future of Multi-Tenant Solar Energy Management
2024 was a trailblazing year for Ivy Energy, where we shattered barriers, redefined possibilities, and delivered innovative solutions to address the multi-tenant solar split incentive challenge. By driving product advancements, forging impactful partnerships, and scaling operational processes, we empowered multi-tenant properties to embrace clean energy with confidence.
A Year of Growth and Market Expansion
Ivy has grown its active project pipeline 450% compared to 2023, with a line of sight to clear +600% in active projects by the end of the year. Our tech-enabled solutions empower more communities than ever. With $18M in Series A funding (Read more) and the strategic acquisition of Glow Energy (Read more), we are poised for unprecedented growth and impact. This investment enables us to enhance our technology, streamline operations, and expand our reach into new markets nationwide.
Entering new markets with increased resources allows us to address diverse energy challenges and deliver tailored solutions to property owners and tenants. Additionally, the launch of our consulting arm provides expert guidance for our clients and partners to save money and enhance ROI while navigating intricate solar investments.
Meaningful Operational Updates
At Ivy, innovation isn’t just about technology—it’s about creating digital tools that empower our clients and their tenants:
- PropTech Integrations: Partnered with RealPage, Entrata, and Yardi to automate rent roll syncing, move-in/move-out updates, and direct charge posting to resident ledgers. These integrations reduce monthly processing time by up to 2 hours per property while enhancing data accuracy and operational efficiency.
- NEM Credit Delay Optimization: The Utility Coordination team adopted the CPUC informal complaint process to reduce delays in NEM activation after PV solar system commissioning. This improvement cut the average resolution time for delayed NEM credits from 123 days in 2023 to 49 days in 2024, allowing property owners to see Net Operating Income over two months sooner on average.
Platform Advancements that Lead the Industry
Our engineering team broke new ground, ensuring our platform stays ahead of the curve:
- Migrated to a new infrastructure processing system for faster processing and further automation improvements across operational features.
- Introduced IvyDual in response to regulatory requirements in California, which allows us to enter new markets where consolidated billing is not viable.
- Achieved SOC 2 Compliance, reaffirming our commitment to data security. (Read more)
- Built initial public API for Conservice integration and new utility data access pathways, strengthening our platform’s versatility and reliability.
Empowering Positive Experiences with CX
At Ivy Energy, our customers rely on us as true partners in their clean energy journey, helping them achieve long-term NOI growth while providing exceptional support for property owners and tenants. We consistently deliver this experience by simplifying complex utility processes and offering our white-glove service that ensures our clients feel supported, informed, and empowered to succeed. This year, Ivy’s Customer Experience Team launched two significant platforms:
- Ivy Implementation Portal: A step-by-step, transparent portal that simplifies solar implementation for our clients and partners across multiple organizations. (Watch a walkthrough of the new portal here.)
- Resident Help Center: Educate tenants about the solar program with helpful resources and offer direct support online or by phone. (Explore the Help Center)
Shaping the Future Through Thought Leadership
In 2024, Ivy Energy reinforced its position as an industry leader; our Virtual Grid 3.0 impressed the judges and earned first place in Solar Power World’s “Best in Show” award for large-scale solar innovation. (Read more)
Leadership team members Alex Dogan, Tanya Kuhn, and Sean Nam were celebrated in San Diego Business Journal’s Leaders of Influence in Technology 2024 for their contributions to advancing sustainable energy. (Read more) Ivy was also featured in Alt Energy Magazine (Read more), San Diego Business Journal (Read more), and on Solar Academy. (Read more)
Logan Carter showcased Ivy’s groundbreaking innovations in a main stage speech at Cretech NY (Watch here), an engaging appearance on the IMN Podcast (Listen here), and a deep-dive interview with Chris Moreno, also known as “Mr. PropTech.” (Watch here) Ivy’s policy team further expanded its influence by authoring a Model VNEM Whitepaper, a critical guide to enabling multi-tenant solar models nationwide. (Read the Whitepaper).
Measurable Environmental Impact
This year, Ivy Energy amplified its environmental contributions, with contracted units in implementation set to offset an astounding 109 million pounds of CO2. Meanwhile, active units have already offset 9 million pounds of CO2, demonstrating our ongoing dedication to reducing carbon emissions.
Looking Ahead to 2025
As we celebrate 2024’s successes, we are always looking to the future. In 2025, we’ll continue to push boundaries, deliver innovations that empower our clients, improve tenant experiences, and lead the multi-tenant housing sector toward a sustainable future.
A Message from Dover Janis, CEO of Ivy Energy
“2024 was a year of progress and adaptation. While utility-caused delays challenged our growing pipeline, our focus on agile problem-solving reduced their impact and kept the market moving forward. This is a testament not only to the dedication and focus of our team but also to the strong macro-level foundation that the onsite energy business model provides for real estate owners, even in the face of monopoly-driven resistance. With a large and expanding customer base and hundreds of projects, we have continued to validate the transformative potential of clean energy solutions for shared communities. I’m incredibly proud of our team—now among the most mature, knowledgeable, and experienced in the industry—as we trail blaze the path forward. The market is primed to grow and drive transformative change in local communities. I’m deeply grateful to our partners and customers, whom we have the privilege of serving every day as we continue to lead the way.”
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