Detecting Leaks in Multifamily Housing; Submetering Saves Thousands in Utility Costs

Water leaks are one of unit owners' most common and costly maintenance issues in multifamily housing. An undetected leak can waste thousands of gallons of water every month, considerably increasing utility bills and property damage.

The key to success in identifying leaks is to find them early, which is why we provide state-of-the-art water management solutions!

These systems boast innovative features that enable property managers to stay ahead of water leaks through real-time notifications. Keep reading and find out how these technologies work, why leak detection is essential, and how they can save you money over time.

How to Know If a Unit Has a Leak

Finding a water leak in one unit out of dozens or hundreds in your community is like finding a needle in a haystack. Most leaks, especially running toilets, are never discovered until a month later when the water bill arrives. By that time, the damage has already been done.

Our NextCentury and Tehama  submetering systems change the cat-and-mouse game when it comes to finding leaks. Both systems include built-in sensors and monitoring features that send immediate leak alerts when constant water usage is detected. These systems enable you to pinpoint and resolve issues quickly before they spiral out of control.

Here's how these systems work:

Constant Usage Alerts: In the case of water flowing continuously for more than a set period of time, the system will flag a potential leak. 

Real-Time Notifications: Receive alerts directly to your email or mobile device to facilitate timely action.

Actionable Insights: Detailed reports provide insight into the possible source of the problem to help your maintenance team respond efficiently.

Why Early Leak Detection Is Crucial

The statistics are staggering: 75% of leaks in apartment units are because of running toilets.

These unchecked leaks aren't merely a drain on water resources for property owners; they can be a direct hit on the bottom line.

If You Catch the Leak Early, You'll Experience Significant Cost Savings

Imagine finding a leak within days as opposed to after receiving a higher utility bill. For example, A leak that isn't found for a month could rack up thousands of dollars in excess water consumption.

Taking action on a real-time alert reduces that cost to a fraction, covering only the water lost over a couple of days.

If You Catch the Leak Early, You'll Be Protecting Your Property Value

Beyond the utility costs, leaks can cause structural damage to the floors, walls, and ceilings, which is very costly. Water damage brings mold growth, affecting resident satisfaction and health code compliance.

If You Catch the Leak Early, You'll Have Better Resident Retention

Your residents will be on the phone the moment their bills are too high. Let's face it, they will not be blaming themselves either. Frequent issues with leaks and water damage can influence your reputation as an owner or manager and increase the number of residents considering looking elsewhere.

The Benefits of NextCentury and Tehama for Apartment Owners

Both NextCentury and Tehama offer a suite of features designed to empower property owners with actionable data and control over water usage. Here's a closer look at what makes these systems indispensable:

Smart Monitoring

These systems monitor water consumption in real-time, thereby delivering actionable insights right down to the unit level. In other words, you will have detailed knowledge of where leaks occur and when.

User-Friendly Alerts

With customizable alerts, you'll receive updates tailored to your needs, whether it's via text, email, or app notifications.

Scalability

From small communities to large apartment communities, these solutions can scale to any property size.

Sustainability

Reducing water waste aligns with broader environmental goals and demonstrates your commitment to sustainable practices—an increasingly attractive quality for eco-conscious residents.

A Running Toilet's Hidden Cost

Let's consider a real-world example:

Scenario: There is a running toilet in a one-bedroom unit that goes unnoticed for an entire month.

Water Usage: 65,000 gallons, compared to the standard 3,000 gallons.

Cost Impact: Depending on your water rates, this could mean a $1,000+ increase in your utility bill for that unit alone. Now, picture that leak being detected within two days if you had our systems in place. A few hundred gallons of waste is a tiny cost in comparison. Multiply this by several units, and the savings will stack up quickly.

Proactive Leak Management with Guardian Water & Power

With our tools, NextCentury and Tehama, you have an immediate and powerful dashboard for early leak detection, prevention of costly repairs, and thousands of dollars in utility cost savings.

In addition to the financial benefits, adopting these systems demonstrates your commitment to operational efficiency and environmental stewardship values that resonate with today's residents and investors alike.

Want to know more about our solutions to this crisis at Guardian Water & Power? Ask us for a consultation! We'll walk you through how to save on unnecessary bills. Invest in more intelligent leak detection today before you spend big on a silly running toilet.