PAGE 2
NAVIGATING PUBLIC HOUSING
the internet of things IoT: “the connection of devices (other than typical fare such as computers and smartphones) to the Internet.” -Andrew Meola, Business Insider BY EBONY HALL
Thermostats Smoke and CO2 Detectors Cameras Lights Smart Locks Leak Detection Motion Sapiurka says you can shut down an HVAC unit remotely and “never pay for vacant utilities again.”
Your PHA could save money by plugging into the “Internet of Things (IoT). But how? We live in a very connected world. Statista estimates there will be 23.14 billion connected devices worldwide in 2018. Chances are, your residents have access to a smartphone. In fact, 86% of U.S. Consumers own one. Pew Research reports that a growing number of lower-income Americans “rely on smartphones to access the internet.. One-in-five adults whose annual household income falls below $30,000 are smartphone-only internet users, compared with only 4% of those living in households earning $100,000 or more.”
Adding smart products to your units gives residents more control, which they enjoy. But, how can you use this to your advantage? Your PHA could save money by plugging into the “Internet of Things (IoT). But how? At a 2017 meeting of the National Affordable Housing Management Association, RealPages’ Gustavo Sapiurka says one of the trends in Multifamily Housing includes “things” that are connected. They include:
A leaky toilet can waste around 6000 gallons/month. It could cost thousands per year! The Wirecutter tested leak detectors in 2016, for things like the ability to detect leaks, how they’re connected to the internet and how they alert the owner to a leak. Their tests lead them to water sensor from D-Link, which C-Net declared the best “flood sensor” for 2018.
"Companies using IoT sensors and systems to control heat and air conditioning usage in large facilities can save serious dollars." JILL KRASNY, INC.COM
