Smart Cooling, Smarter Communities: How Habitat Is Cutting Costs While Enhancing Comfort

As utility costs continue to rise and climate patterns shift, managing cooling expenses in multifamily communities has never been more important. At The Habitat Company, we’re tackling this challenge head-on by combining proactive maintenance, long-term planning, and resident-focused strategies.

In a recent Multi-Housing News feature, our own Norbert Glod, Vice President of Property Operations, shared how Habitat is implementing cost-saving solutions across our portfolio—while keeping resident comfort top of mind.

“Cooling costs can be one of the most unpredictable and impactful expenses operators face,” said Glod. “We take a comprehensive, preventative approach that balances operational savings with overall building performance.”

Key strategies Habitat uses to cut cooling costs:

• Preventative Maintenance: Routine inspections and filter changes help HVAC systems run efficiently—reducing strain, avoiding breakdowns, and extending system life.

• Resident Education: Helping residents understand how to optimize in-unit cooling—like keeping blinds closed during peak heat or properly using programmable thermostats—can significantly reduce overall energy use.

• System Upgrades: At select properties, we’ve implemented centralized controls and smart thermostats to improve energy management and allow for real-time adjustments.

• Long-Term Planning: Our capital planning process prioritizes system replacements with high-efficiency models and aligns with ENERGY STAR performance benchmarks.
  

  

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These efforts are part of our broader mission to enhance performance across our communities, while ensuring residents experience comfort and stability year-round.

At Habitat, sustainability isn’t a trend—it’s a responsibility. We’re proud to lead with solutions that are better for residents, better for ownership, and better for the environment.