The Good Tech Companies - Transforming Small Commercial Buildings with State-of-the-Art HVAC Technology

Starting point is 00:00:00 This audio is presented by Hacker Noon, where anyone can learn anything about any technology. Transforming small commercial buildings with state-of-the-art HVAC technology by Misinvestigate. The small commercial building sector faces a significant dilemma, reliance on antiquated heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, HVAC technology. This outdated technology leads to frequent maintenance issues, resulting in high operational expenses and increased carbon emissions. Fortunately, advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, AI, and wireless sensors are revolutionizing HVAC system management.

Starting point is 00:00:36 These innovations promise increased energy efficiency, reduced costs, and a more sustainable future. Rahul Subramani, co-founder and chief technology officer of Monair, an end-to-end heating, HVAC, and refrigeration management service for small businesses, says, combining AI, wireless sensors, and skilled technicians can transform HVAC systems in small commercial buildings. The untapped potential of small commercial buildings small and medium buildings with an area of less than 50,000 square feet represent a significant portion of the commercial building stock in the United States. These buildings, including restaurants and convenience stores, account for 94% of U.S. commercial buildings, roughly 5.5 million buildings, 50% of U.S.

Starting point is 00:01:20 total building square footage, and 44% of total commercial building energy use. Despite their collective impact, over 85% of these buildings use outdated, analog HVAC technologies. The reason is simple. Advanced, modern HVAC technology has been out of reach for these buildings due to cost and complexity. Modern HVAC tech available today is targeted at larger buildings with deeper pockets, explains Subramani. They require sophisticated design, implementation, and dedicated facility management personnel to operate. Small and medium buildings do not have the scale to afford such personnel. The reliance on legacy HVAC technology in small commercial buildings comes at a steep price. Estimates show these inefficiencies waste billions of dollars annually in the US alone. The amount totals around $65 billion in excess

Starting point is 00:02:11 energy use, business losses due to downtime, food waste, and reduced employee productivity. There's also a split incentive between owner and tenant in smaller buildings, Subramani points out. The owner is typically responsible for capital purchases while the operational expenses reside with tenants. Owners, hence, only want to pay for the cheapest equipment and pass on all the higher operational costs totanance. Monair's AI-driven method Monair aims to bridge this gap by offering a solution that combines AI, wireless sensors, and skilled technicians to upgrade HVAC systems in these buildings, all without significant capital investment or the need for dedicated personnel.

Starting point is 00:02:50 Our solution involves low capital outlay, Subramani explains. We use wireless sensors and controls that can be retrofitted into existing equipment, eliminating the need for replacement. The AI component of Monair's solution acts as dedicated facilities personnel, continuously monitoring equipment, automatically correcting efficiency drops, determining root causes when manual intervention is needed, and presenting them to technicians. We work with vetted, curated technicians from partner contractors, Subramanyads. They are empowered with AI insights, and our apps enhance the ear workflows. Moner's technology significantly impacts small commercial buildings.

Starting point is 00:03:33 Implementing their solution can reduce HVAC energy and repair costs by 30% and downtime and food waste by 75%. Some industry experts remain cautious about the concept of AI-driven HVAC technology, considering the need to make sure such solutions are environmentally sustainable in the long run. Subramani believes, however, that Monair's technique strikes the right balance between innovation and sustainability, paving the way for a more efficient and eco-friendly future. A visionary perspective on sustainable building management as Monair continues to roll out its technology, Subramani's vision for transforming small commercial buildings through state-of-the-art HVAC solutions becomes increasingly clear. With a deep understanding of

Starting point is 00:04:10 the industry's challenges and a commitment to taking advantage of the latest technologies, he is leading the charge in making advanced HVAC systems accessible and affordable for a segment that has long been overlooked. Subramani has been the driving force behind Monair's technology stack development, solving challenging problems like the HVAC-1 in small commercial buildings requires hardware, software, and services to be carefully curated, He points out. I realize this, having spent years doing the same at Lutron Electronics and SimpliSafe. The unique technology Subramani helped develop and its instant market validation have helped Monair raise over $4.1M from prominent investors. Monair was also recently accepted into Greentown

Starting point is 00:04:52 Labs, North America's largest ecosystem of climate tech companies, further validating its success. We are only getting started, Subramani states. We wish to help accelerate the world's transition to more sustainable heating and cooling. We are working on some really cool ideas, including one involving using HVAC and refrigeration systems to help offset demand when electricity grids are strained. We can drastically reduce the carbon impact of HVAC systems while helping businesses save money by digitizing HVAC systems, pairing them up with renewable energy sources, providing grid services, etc. He concludes, with Subramani's visionary leadership and commitment to pushing the boundaries of what's possible, the transformation of small commercial buildings through cutting-edge

Starting point is 00:05:35 HVAC technology is underway. Thank you for listening to this HackerNoon story, read by Artificial Intelligence. Visit HackerNoon.com to read, write, learn and publish.

The Good Tech Companies - Transforming Small Commercial Buildings with State-of-the-Art HVAC Technology

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