Smart home technology is on the rise, but it is an area that has mostly been available to homeowners rather than renters, because renters are dependent upon their landlords to install such technology. However, NWP – a company that provides smart metering and billing services to apartment complex owners – is set to test connected lights, locks and thermostats in California and Florida in a move that is expected to increase rents for building owners, according to Fortune.
The reason apartment management firms are interested in such a service is that automated approaches are likely to become expected amenities. An added bonus for management is that the ability to individually control thermostats will save money by lowering the temperature in vacant units.
Another firm, Iotas, has signed an agreement with Greystar Management to install sensors in one of its Portland, OR, complexes.
Smart thermostats are a hot area. They are not, however, the same as connected thermostats -- though the two categories overlap. It pays to know the difference, and what to watch out for.
