We’ve got some exciting news over here at WegoWise: we’ve been invited to speak on a panel at South by Southwest 2017! Our panel, “Key Metrics for Growing SaaS Companies”, is in the running, and we need your help: community voting and commenting accounts for about 30% of the decision-making process for SXSW panel programming. To vote for our panel:

With high energy use, millions of large, unshaded rooftops ripe for solar systems, and plummeting renewable energy prices, the multifamily building sector in the U.S. has great potential for solar energy production and consumption.

Even in a state without many incentives to make the switch, going solar can increase property values, result in a more stable operating budget, reduce expenses, and improve a building’s attractiveness to tenants according to the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center. Multifamily properties tend to have established, long term owners who would benefit from the ROI. Though unlike a residential home, adding solar to a multi-family building can be complicated with multiple meters and shared roof space.

So, how can property owners, managers, condo owners, and even renters gain access to the savings and stability associated with renewable energy?

As we say goodbye to El Niňo, summer temperatures heat up, and your buildings start to use more energy to stay cool, it’s tempting to wish for a crystal ball to tell you where energy prices are going. Whether you’re on your utility’s rate or already signed onto a contract with a separate supplier, you might be keeping your eyes peeled for where rates are expected to go to keep your utility budget in check. And while no one can truly predict where energy prices are going, we can examine all the factors affecting the energy market for a forecast. Let’s take a look:

Last week, we presented a first look at our newest product, WegoPower, in a webinar. To recap, WegoWise’s Vice President of Business Development, Dan Teague and Energy Procurement Expert, Katharine Pelzer discussed:

• What energy procurement is. About half of all U.S. states have deregulated energy markets, meaning you can choose who supplies your energy, which helps building owners find and secure competitive rates.
• What to consider when selecting an energy broker. Whether you’re trying energy procurement for the first time or already in a contract, Dan and Katharine went over several qualities you should look for in a broker, including transparency, choice, automated data, excellent customer service, and renewable energy options.
• How procurement helps you control your portfolio’s energy budget. Even if the market is volatile, procuring energy through a third party allows you to lock in a competitive supply rate, giving you more certainty over your budget.

After the webinar, the question lines were buzzing. Here’s what our audience wanted to know:

Did you know that more than 33% of all energy consumed in the state of Connecticut comes from the residential sector?

Multifamily buildings use more energy per square foot than single family homes, meaning building owners have higher costs, but even bigger opportunities to save from implementing energy-saving upgrades. So, how can you pinpoint where to spend precious capital improvement dollars or measure the ROI of retrofits? Energy and water benchmarking is one of the best places to start.

Last week, WegoWise announced that Laila Partridge would be taking on the role of CEO at WegoWise—an exciting change for our company as we gear up for our next phase of growth.

Laila comes to WegoWise with 30 years of experience in corporate and entrepreneurial settings, having held executive roles in large companies like Intel and Wells Fargo, as well as co-founding start-ups in the technology, health, and workplace sectors.

What better way to introduce Laila to WegoWise’s readers than in her own words?

Recently, the U.S. Senate passed the Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015 (EPMA), which promises to make energy more abundant, affordable, and efficient, as well as update the energy grid. On the energy efficiency front, the Act would create and strengthen several programs devoted to improving energy efficiency in buildings, such as state efficiency programs, which directly impact the multifamily industry.

A guest post by Quinn Korzeniecki, Senior Communications Associate, Building Performance Institute, Inc. (BPI). BPI is a non-profit organization that has been raising the bar in home performance contracting since 1993.

Choosing the right contractor to do a high quality job in multifamily housing can be a struggle. In this day and age, anyone with a tool belt and a truck can call themselves a contractor, so how can you be sure you select one who will complete the job on time and on budget while maintaining a high standard of work? 

When it comes to purchasing energy, the options seem endless. Should you buy through a third party supplier? If so, how do you choose? And how do you know if you're getting the best rate?

Before you give up on the energy procurement process altogether, here's something you should know: over 95% of the country's largest real estate owners and managers save billions of dollars a year by procuring energy through third-party suppliers.

Working with an energy broker saves you time and money. Whether you're in the market for a new broker or already on contract, here are 8 things to look for so you can reduce costs and increase net operating income.

Ever wondered if you’re paying too much for your buildings’ energy, or helplessly watched your utility rates go up and down like a yo-yo?

Today, WegoWise launched WegoPower, a tool designed to eliminate the budgeting game of roulette by simplifying energy procurement. WegoPower gives you control over your energy costs and helps you lock in the most competitive rates for your portfolio.