Smart Building Controls: A Property Manager’s Guide to Modern Temperature Management
The Evolution of Building Controls
Remember when managing your building’s temperature meant constant trips to the boiler room and endless tenant complaints? Those days of manual adjustments and reactive maintenance are behind us. With over 8,000 buildings now using smart controls, the data shows that modern building management technology isn’t just convenient – it’s transformative for your bottom line.
Understanding Modern vs. Traditional Controls
Traditional building management relied heavily on outdoor reset systems, which only considered external temperatures when making heating decisions. As we’ve seen in thousands of buildings across New York City, these basic systems often lead to apartments overheating to 78-80 degrees, causing tenants to open windows and literally throw money out into the cold.
Today’s smart building controls tell a different story. By combining advanced sensor networks with artificial intelligence and mobile accessibility, modern systems like Entech’s Stealth provide comprehensive building management that’s both more efficient and easier to use.
The Power of Smart Sensor Networks
At the heart of modern building control is a sophisticated network of over 20 different sensors. Take Lafayette Estates, a 225-unit complex in the Bronx. Their heating system consists of two steam boilers and two modulating zone valves – a common setup that presented significant opportunity for optimization. By installing strategic sensors throughout the building, we could monitor:
- Indoor temperatures across different zones
- Steam pressure and distribution
- Return temperatures
- Water loss
- Stack temperature
This comprehensive data collection creates a complete picture of your building’s performance, allowing for precise control and optimization.
Artificial Intelligence: The Game Changer
What makes modern building controls truly “smart” is their ability to learn and adapt. Our Therma AI technology was specifically designed for valve control, using sophisticated algorithms to maintain indoor setpoints while conserving energy. At Lafayette Estates, this meant the system could automatically adjust valve feedback for more targeted control, leading to significant energy reductions while maintaining tenant comfort.
Real Results: Success Stories from NYC Properties
The impact of smart building controls is best illustrated through real results from our portfolio:
Lafayette Estates (Bronx):
- 225 units, 19 floors
- 15% reduction in gas usage
- $387,622 cumulative savings
- Steam-gas heating system
- Two boilers with modulating zone valves
Shorecrest Towers (Brooklyn):
- $107,044 savings in 8 months
- Significant comfort improvements
- Rapid ROI achievement
250 Livingston Street (Brooklyn):
- $58,089 savings in 8 months
- Improved temperature balance
- Reduced tenant complaints
Click here to view our case studies
Seamless Integration with Existing Systems
One common concern among property managers is whether smart controls will work with their existing equipment. Our system is designed to integrate seamlessly with virtually any building infrastructure. At Lafayette Estates, we were able to optimize their dual-boiler system with modulating zone valves without any major infrastructure changes.
The Economics of Smart Building Controls
The financial benefits extend far beyond simple energy savings. Our data shows:
- Average savings of 24% on energy costs
- Some properties achieving up to 40% reduction
- ROI typically achieved within 12-18 months
- Additional 10% savings with Pro monitoring service
Mobile Control: Management at Your Fingertips
Property managers can monitor multiple buildings, adjust temperatures, receive alerts, and track performance from anywhere. For example, at Lafayette Estates, management can remotely monitor both boilers and zone valves, making real-time adjustments based on building needs and weather conditions.
Making the Transition
Implementation starts with a thorough assessment of your building’s current systems and needs. For Lafayette Estates, this meant:
- Initial system evaluation
- Strategic sensor placement
- Integration with existing zone valves
- Staff training and setup
- Ongoing optimization through our Pro service
Looking to the Future
As energy costs continue to rise and environmental regulations become stricter, smart building controls aren’t just an advantage – they’re becoming a necessity. Properties that embrace this technology now are positioning themselves for long-term success, with systems that can adapt to changing requirements and expectations.
Ready to Transform Your Building Management?
Join the thousands of NYC properties already saving with smart building controls. Whether you have a 40-unit building or a 4-building complex with 225 units per building, like Lafayette Estates, we can design a solution that delivers significant returns on your investment.
