Transforming Water Management in the Heart of Auckland
Silo Apartments is a unique and stylish residential complex. Originally known as the Northern Roller Milling Company, Silo offers spectacular views and easy access to renowned boutique shops, cafes, and restaurants. With a design that blends heritage with modern living, the apartments provide a distinctive urban experience. However, like many multi-residential buildings, it faced a significant challenge: an outdated, inefficient water billing system that placed the financial burden on owners rather than tenants. Without individual water meters, residents had no incentive to monitor their consumption, leading to unnecessary waste and rising costs for all.
The Challenge: No Accountability, Rising Costs
Silo Apartments previously operated on a communal water billing system, where the total cost of hot and cold water was distributed by unit entitlement amongst all apartment owners via body corporate fees. This approach led to several key issues:
- Lack of Accountability: Residents had no financial incentive to reduce water consumption, leading to excessive usage.
- Hidden Leaks: Without real-time monitoring, leaks went undetected, causing significant wastage and unnecessary costs.
- Increasing Costs: Watercare’s announced annual price hikes further exacerbated the financial strain on apartment owners.
The Smart Metering Solution: Immediate Impact with Smart Technology
To address these challenges, Smart Metering installed its advanced Ultrasonic Smart Water Meters on both hot and cold water lines throughout Silo Apartments. This enabled automated, real-time water usage tracking for each unit. Our cutting-edge system, which provides accurate meter reads daily, immediately flagged alarming discrepancies in water usage within the building.
One apartment alone was found to be wasting 5,500 litres per day due to an undetected leak – an issue that would have gone unnoticed without our real-time monitoring. This underscores how quickly Smart Metering can detect and resolve costly inefficiencies, delivering tangible benefits from day one. This discovery alone resulted in substantial water savings, and as more tenants become mindful of their usage, the overall reduction in consumption could be even greater.
A Shift to Sustainable Water Use
Thanks to Smart Metering’s real-time detection capabilities, these leaks were promptly identified and addressed. The results were immediate:
- Significant Cost Savings: By eliminating waste, owners and tenants alike benefit from lower water bills.
- Increased Awareness & Responsibility: With individual metering in place, residents are now directly responsible for their own water consumption.
- A More Sustainable Future: Reducing unnecessary water waste contributes to Auckland’s broader conservation efforts while easing financial pressure on the Body Corporate.
Moving Forward: Smarter, Fairer Billing
With Smart Metering’s automated invoicing system, Silo Apartment residents now receive clear, transparent bills based on actual consumption. This user-pays model ensures fairness while promoting sustainable water use habits across the community.
A Special Partnership & A Smarter Approach to Water Management
At Smart Metering, we believe in more than just delivering solutions – we build lasting relationships with our customers. Susan Rogers-Allan, Chairperson of Silo Apartments, has been an integral part of this journey, not just as a customer but as a proactive leader in her community. She has become a trusted advocate for Smart Metering, sharing her experience with other building owners and committees. Her dedication to improving water management has helped drive awareness and positive change, and we are incredibly proud to have built this partnership with her.
Susan shares her perspective on the impact of Smart Metering:
“The beauty of having a ‘Smart’ Water Meter is that it can tell if you have a leak … very important … and the building manager is notified immediately. This happened last week when Smart Metering detected excessive usage in two apartments. One tenant knew about the leak but didn’t report it because it ‘wasn’t a big deal.’ Now, those leaks are fixed, and the savings are huge.”
The case of Silo Apartments highlights the power of smart technology in transforming resource management. By leveraging real-time data, Smart Metering not only reduced waste but also empowered residents to take control of their consumption.
Conclusion: A Smarter Approach to Water Management
The case of Silo Apartments highlights the power of smart technology in transforming resource management. By leveraging real-time data, Smart Metering not only reduced waste but also empowered residents to take control of their consumption.
Ready to make your building smarter, more efficient, and cost-effective? Get in touch with Smart Metering today.