EMERGE’s Post

RetroFix AI (YC S24) is making it easy for buildings to decarbonize. They are starting by helping buildings secure government subsidies to become more energy efficient. Purchasing energy-efficient equipment is difficult and expensive and requires expert installation. Free money from local utilities and the state government can help offset these costs, but that money is often tied to very lengthy and time-intensive applications. RetroFix AI is helping to automate this application process. Contractors (the people applying for this money) often spend days and weeks researching the latest requirements and conducting on-site inspections to submit a lengthy application. In cities like New York, where 2/3 of all carbon emissions come from building operations, it is estimated that over the next 6 years, approximately $20B in investment will be committed to implementing energy-efficient equipment in buildings across the city. Founded by Isaac T. and Daniel Portela, RetroFix is streamlining incentive applications by helping contractors and building owners automatically apply for and maximize the amount of money they can get for their energy-efficient equipment. Think of them as the “TurboTax” for building rebates. They're using AI and software to recommend the best subsidies, eliminate the long hours dedicated to perfecting an application, and make them so easy you can even finish them from your phone. Congrats Isaac and Daniel on the launch! 🚀 https://lnkd.in/gDF87VRd

AI-based HVAC systems are revolutionizing the industry by leveraging artificial intelligence algorithms to optimize energy efficiency, improve comfort, and reduce maintenance costs. Here are some key points about AI-based HVAC systems: 1. Energyoptimozation 2. Predictive Maintainece 3. Adaptive learning 4. Indoor air quality monitoring 5. Demand response integration 6. Remote monitoring and control #efficiency #buildings&infrastructure

How can AI be helpful in building maintenance? 1. Smarter Maintenance AI helps us fix problems in buildings before they even happen. It uses data from the building to predict when something might break down or need fixing, saving time and money, and keeping everything running smoothly. 2. Saving Energy AI can make buildings use less energy. It looks at how the building is being used, along with things like the weather, to adjust heating, cooling, and lighting. This means the building only uses energy when it needs to, which is good for the planet and saves money. 3. Keeping Buildings Safe AI helps keep buildings safe by watching out for any danger or unusual activity. It can spot things that might not be safe, like a potential fire hazard, or if someone is where they shouldn't be. This keeps everyone in the building safe and secure.

Definitely convinced that AI will become a game changer in reducing emissions within real estate and construction. The article below primarily focuses on operational carbon, illustrating how a major real estate services company is optimizing asset management and decreasing their energy consumption. Yet, I believe there's a similar opportunity to utilize data in minimizing embodied carbon. While software alone isn't the silver bullet for the climate crisis, its role needs to increase in the coming years. As the article puts it, 'AI is an interesting piece of the puzzle.' It's about integrating technology strategically to make a tangible difference in our carbon footprint. Focusing on embodied carbon, it becomes imperative to innovate the way we select and use more sustainable construction materials and products. https://lnkd.in/euyuPdZv

Good read from The Wall Street Journal featuring Fifth Wall. On the topic of AI, Daniel Farber, HLC Equity CEO, had this to say: “From tenant interactions to our communication systems with our investors, the HLC Equity team is working on areas in which we can benefit from implementing AI into our daily operations. While we believe that nothing replaces human touch and interaction, we are confident that by implementing AI to execute repeatable tasks, our team members will be able to spend more time focused on high-value touch points to better serve our customers in meaningful ways.” A recent HLC article on AI: https://lnkd.in/erjZbWDJ #AI #realestate

Does this represent the debate taking place last year? Without doubt digitisation, electrification, automation and connectivity took center stage in 2023. There is also an underlying trend of focus shifting from machine - to site level solutions. Surprisingly absent from the list (and possibly coverage by the media) is the complex and growing impact of technology regulation and carbon footprint incentives provided by public authorities. Associtions like CECE , CEA or ERA - European Rental Association continue to be great sources for these topics. Either way, the quantity and quality of change is amazing and increasingly overwhelming for smaller contractors, distributors or manufacturers. This might be a good time for many to carefully review their strategic focus, investments and partnerships.

🤖 AI is starting to transform the real estate industry. Here's how: 🏢 AI is can help buildings operate more efficiently. - Software and hardware developed for buildings is set up to learn from patterns and daily habits. It can then manage lights, heating, and cooling to cut energy usage by 20 percent or more per year. - But, there are hurdles. Collecting data from a wide range of sources that aren’t already connected can be problematic and require retrofits for older buildings. 📊 And, AI can identify what building upgrades make economic sense. - It analyzes cost/benefit, energy efficiency, maintenance, life cycle cost extremely quickly… and can model out options based on business decisions.   - However, it’s still just information: “The main message overall is we’re not going to save the planet with software, and AI is software,” Greg Smithies, partner and co-lead of the Climate Technology Investment team at Fifth Wall, told The Wall Street Journal. 🚧 AI can also speed up the construction of new buildings. - Drones, cameras, apps, and robots are able to map progress on huge job sites in real time. This lets contractors track and improve a project through data sets. - But it still can’t build a tower: “Forget about robots building a skyscraper,” says one construction software executive to the New York Times. “It’s a more fundamental thing, getting the data you need and then using it better.” 🤝 AI is even being used to buy and sell real estate—JLL recently introduced a chatbot that provides insights to its clients. The bottom line: AI isn’t going to solve every problem, but it’s an interesting piece of the puzzle. #realestate #artificialintelligence

Building #analytics software can help decision-makers meet their #energy targets. Learn about these cutting-edge technologies' potential use cases and results to optimize energy savings with #smartanalytics and #sustainable solutions. https://bit.ly/3tpG6q2 #AI #sbt

Building #analytics software can help decision-makers meet their #energy targets. Learn about these cutting-edge technologies' potential use cases and results to optimize energy savings with #smartanalytics and #sustainable solutions. https://bit.ly/3tpG6q2 #AI #sbt

Did you know? 67% of prospective applicants say a college or university’s commitment to environmental issues influences their decision to apply or attend. (The Princeton Review) AIRIA (airia20.com) supports this commitment by providing facility operators with real-time, 24/7 facility utilization insights to optimize HVAC, cooling/heating, and energy allocation. #Sustainability #HigherEd #GreenCampus #EnergyEfficiency #SmartFacilities