The Utility Room

Mary Nitschke talks with Harry Bergmann https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-bergmann-a338ba37/ about his path from local government energy work to the Department of Energy and now Code Green, where he focuses on data standardization, building performance standards, and helping owners turn compliance into action. They push past the usual policy talking points and dig into the questions owners care ab...

Building Performance Standards (BPS) are expanding across the country, but what do they actually mean for building owners, operators, and residents? Mary Nitschke https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-nitschke/ sits down with Alex Dews https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-dews/ to explore how Building Performance Standards are evolving, what policymakers have learned from early adopters, and why multifamil...

Waste is one of the biggest blind spots in multifamily, and it may be costing owners far more than they realize. Shamir Hyman https://www.linkedin.com/in/shamirhyman/ , CEO and founder of WasteXAI, explains why the industry has been stuck in a black box for decades and how verified, container-level data could change everything. Host, Mary Nitschke, and Shamir unpack the hidden operations behind tr...

Mary Nitschke https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-nitschke/ sits down with Jessica Long https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-long-3666692a/ , who brings nearly 20 years of experience across commercial real estate, public REITs, and asset management, to unpack how sustainability evolved from tenant-driven energy conversations into a portfolio-level strategy tied to value, governance, and investor expec...

Waste is the last thing most property teams want to tackle, but it may be the fastest path to better resident experience, lower operating costs, and real sustainability impact. Cass McFadden, Vice President of Sustainability at Cortland https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassmcfadden/ , shares how Cortland turned a messy, overlooked utility into an award-winning program that industry peers can’t ignore....

Tiffany Mittal https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanymittal/ and Mary Nitschke dive into water usage in multifamily. They discuss the RUBS (Ratio Utility Billing System) program, and the challenges of utility management and billing in multifamily. Tiffany shares her experience from a small owner-operator to creating Utility Ranger, a software that empowers small multifamily owners to manage utility b...

In this episode, Thomas Stanchak https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-stanchak/ from Stoneweg shares insights on integrating sustainability into real estate, focusing on solar projects, data reporting, and strategic investment in renewable energy. Discover how practical experience and disciplined approaches can drive long-term value and environmental impact. Thomas Stanchak is Head of Sustainability...

Mary Nitschke brings Michael Beckerman https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-beckerman/ , CEO of CREtech, in to discuss the evolving landscape of sustainability in real estate, the impact of AI, and the upcoming CREtech conference. They explore how external market forces are driving energy efficiency, decarbonization, and innovation in the built environment. Michael Beckerman is a leader in the comm...

Faith Davis https://www.linkedin.com/in/faithannedavis/ and Zack Schmitz https://www.linkedin.com/in/zack-schmitz/ announce their new, innovative partnership between Exelon and Public Grid, focusing on how technology and strategic investments can drive energy affordability, efficiency, and climate impact. They explore the role of community programs, customer-facing technologies, and the future of...

Discover how decades of multifamily experience and a focus on sustainability intersect, as Scott Wilkerson https://www.linkedin.com/in/dswnc/ sits down with Mary Nitschke and shares practical approaches for integrating environmental initiatives with financial returns in multifamily housing. This episode explores the surprising co-benefits of energy efficiency, strategic utility management, and ind...

Jana Alfiero https://www.linkedin.com/in/jana-alfiero/ joins Mary Nitschke https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-nitschke/ to explore the critical importance of waste management in multifamily communities and how strategic waste programs can improve resident satisfaction and impact the bottom line. In this episode: Impact of waste management on property NOI Operational challenges and hidden costs in tr...

Ryan Holmes https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-holmes-350a141a/ , CEO of GreenT Climate Software, shares insights on how regulation is transforming the multifamily real estate industry, the opportunities it presents, and how technology can help navigate these changes. Ryan and Mary Nitschke https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-nitschke/ discuss the the positive signal regulation sends about industry dir...

*Content Warning: non-graphic mention of gun violence James Stewart https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-stewart-55b35462/ shares his journey from multifamily operations to leading EV charging initiatives, highlighting innovative strategies for retrofitting properties, leveraging grants, and marketing EV amenities to residents. Discover how future-proofing infrastructure and understanding resident ne...

Logan Carter https://www.linkedin.com/in/logancarter/ , Co-Founder of Ivy Energy, joins Mary Nitschke https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-nitschke/ on The Utility Room to share insights into the complexities of deploying solar in multifamily settings, the role of regulation, and future industry trends. Whether you're a property owner, developer, or sustainability enthusiast, discover actionable i...

Mary Nitschke hosts Evan Caron https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanc1/ and Philip Krim https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-krim/ to explore the transformative landscape of energy, utilities, and the future of the electron economy. They discuss innovations in energy infrastructure, the role of real estate in energy transition, and the visionary projects shaping a sustainable future. In this episode: - E...

In this engaging interview, Breana Wheeler, https://www.linkedin.com/in/breanawheeler/ , Director of Operations at BREEAM-USA, shares her journey from a young sustainability enthusiast to a leader in building science and green certifications. Discover how her work with BRE and BREEAM is transforming the real estate industry through science-backed sustainability standards, innovative technologies,...

Mary Nitschke https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-nitschke/ joins industry leader Bob Simpson https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobsimpson42/ to talk about impact principles in multifamily housing, the importance of affordability, and innovative water and energy management strategies. They explore how industry standards, technology, and behavioral insights can create sustainable, affordable communities whi...

Mary Nitschke https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-nitschke/ joins industry leader and MIT researcher, Steve Weikal https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-weikal/ to discuss the transformative trends in real estate, focusing on technology, climate impacts, and innovative repurposing of existing buildings, especially in multifamily. In this episode: - The role of MIT’s real estate transformation lab in adva...

Explore how utility management and sustainability practices can significantly enhance property value and operational efficiency in multifamily housing. With insights from seasoned industry professional Mark Copeland https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-copeland-993a591a9/ , and The Utility Room host, Mary Nitschke https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-nitschke/ , this episode brings practical strategies an...

Discover how AvalonBay is leveraging utility data and sustainability initiatives to enhance building performance, resident satisfaction, and regulatory compliance. Join us as Marta Schantz https://www.linkedin.com/in/marta-schantz/ shares insights on data-driven decisions, challenges, and innovative strategies in the evolving landscape of multifamily real estate. This episode is brought to you by...

Exploring Sustainability and Innovation in Real Estate with Chris Pyke https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrispyke/ . Discover how data-driven strategies, sector-specific metrics, and global leadership are transforming the way we approach sustainability in real estate. Join Mary Nitschke https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-nitschke/ as she interviews Chris Pyke, a leading environmental scientist and Chief...

In this insightful interview, Cory Miller https://www.linkedin.com/in/corymillert/ , CEO of PlugOp https://www.linkedin.com/company/plugop/ , shares expert insights on EV charging in multifamily communities. Discover how strategic planning, real-time diagnostics, and human-centered support are transforming the industry and enhancing resident experiences. Key Topics: - EV charging demand forecastin...

In this episode, Christopher Naismith https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophernaismith/and Mary Nitschke explore how energy markets are evolving, the importance of practical sustainability strategies, and how AI is transforming building performance modeling. He emphasizes that decarbonization is less about reaction and more about proactive capital planning. Buildings are like living organisms—each...

In this episode, Dimitris Kapsis https://www.linkedin.com/in/dkapsis/ , Vice President of Energy Management at Fairfield Residential, shares his expertise on leveraging utility data for smarter energy management in multifamily properties. Discover actionable insights on data analysis, equipment upgrades, and measurement verification that can drive significant cost savings and operational efficienc...

Discover how sustainability leader, Elizabeth Lutz https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-lutz-9aa62325a/ , drives environmental progress through community collaboration, innovative standards, and waste reduction strategies in this insightful episode. Gain a better understanding of BEPS, how to create successful collaborations around energy efficiency, and strategies to secure organization-wide sus...