Explore every episode of the podcast Utility Wisdom

The connectivity landscape is getting more complex, and multifamily owners and operators have some big decisions to make. We sat down with Nic Arri, Vice President of Solutions Consulting at Conservice, to explore how provider consolidation and emerging technologies are reshaping connectivity strategy. We discuss the importance of taking a portfolio-wide approach, managing risks in long-term agreements, and making infrastructure decisions that support the future of each property. Tune in for practical insights on navigating today's connectivity market while keeping the resident experience front and center.

What’s next for broadband in multifamily? We sat down with Kevin Donnelly of the Real Estate Technology and Transformation Center (RETTC) to discuss the evolving landscape of multifamily connectivity. They explore the latest regulatory conversations around bulk internet, the balance between consumer protection and affordability, and what new research reveals about the value of bulk internet programs. Tune in for insights on how policy, technology, and resident expectations are shaping the future of connectivity in rental housing.

Jeff Smedley sits down with Scott Hines of Mark-Taylor Residential for a candid look at what’s shaping multifamily today. They discuss Scottsdale market conditions, multifamily financing, the complexity behind utility management, and what operators should expect from a true partner. They also dig into AI, why good data matters, and the role transparency and risk mitigation play in making better decisions.

Who manages the utilities at a senior living community? Often, it’s a business manager or bookkeeper who is also juggling resident enrollment, retention, and day-to-day community operations.

Lauren Howard sits down with Justin Brady to explore why that model becomes harder to sustain as senior living portfolios grow. They discuss costly utility issues like late fees and incorrect rate schedules, the growing demand from owners and investors for reliable utility and sustainability data, and how operators can take work off community teams while building a utility process that scales.

In this episode of Utility Wisdom, Michelle Winters, Vice President of Sustainability Sales at Conservice, sits down with Brett Kraus, Senior Legal Counsel, to break down the latest developments shaping sustainability and compliance. They discuss California’s climate disclosure laws, the evolving role of ENERGY STAR, Building Performance Standards, and the steps organizations can take now to prepare for upcoming requirements.

Tune in for a practical look at the policies making headlines and what they could mean for your portfolio.

Choosing between RUBS and submetering isn't always straightforward. In this episode, Lauren B. breaks down the differences between these two utility billing methods, including where each works best, how state regulations can shape your options, and the key questions to ask before deciding what's right for your property.

At Apartmentalize 2026, one message rose above the AI hype: technology only delivers value when it's backed by strong operations and human expertise. In this episode, William Bailey recaps the biggest conversations from NAA, including where AI is creating real impact, why clean data and well-designed workflows matter, and what multifamily operators should prioritize as automation continues to evolve.

Conservice's Lauren Howard sits down with National Apartment Association President and CEO Bob Pinnegar to discuss the current state of the rental housing industry. From supply and affordability challenges to evolving regulations, consumer expectations, and the role of advocacy, Bob shares his perspective on the trends shaping multifamily today and what operators should be watching as the market continues to evolve.

How did managed utility services become an essential part of multifamily operations? In this episode of Utility Wisdom, Lauren Howard sits down with industry veteran Jerry Davis to explore the history of utility management, the industry's shift away from in-house processes, and the lessons learned over decades of change.

In this episode of Utility Wisdom, we break down the 8 key climate hazards impacting multifamily real estate—from rising heat and heavy precipitation to floods, wildfires, and coastal risk. Learn how to distinguish between gradual operational stress and high-impact events, and why not all risks carry the same weight across your portfolio.

The ROAD to Housing Act aims to tackle affordability, but will it actually lead to more housing?

In this episode of Utility Wisdom, we explore what’s inside the bill, how it could impact housing supply, and why capital, policy, and execution all play a role in what ultimately gets built.

In this episode of Utility Wisdom, we unpack Vacant Cost Recovery (VCR) and how billing gaps from delayed service transfers or early disconnects can quietly erode NOI. Learn how to spot recoverable charges, avoid “vacant theft,” and use automation to catch issues early.

If you’re not actively managing utility billing during move-ins and move-outs, there’s likely money being left on the table.

Senior living teams are built around care, not administration. This Utility Wisdom episode looks at how utilities quietly add operational strain in senior living communities and what a more structured approach can change.

The language around ESG may be changing. The work is not. This Utility Wisdom episode looks at how companies are navigating shifting federal policy while staying aligned with state, local, and market-driven expectations.

Senior living construction solves one problem and introduces another: how to operate efficiently at scale. This Utility Wisdom episode examines the utility and compliance considerations that often get overlooked until it’s too late.

In this episode of Utility Wisdom, we walk through the USDA’s 2025 rule change expanding financing for existing manufactured homes and why operators should be thinking now about infrastructure capacity, utility billing, and compliance as occupancy grows.

As rent growth slows and scrutiny increases in single family rentals, this Utility Wisdom conversation looks at how operators are shifting from rent-driven strategies to tighter cost control, with utilities playing a central role.

This episode takes a ground-level look at property management in 2025 through one unglamorous but revealing lens: utilities. From rising energy demand and grid investment to state-level ESG requirements and climate stress on infrastructure, it connects the dots operators are feeling every day.

In this episode of Utility Wisdom, we explore the waste management shifts showing up at multifamily properties right now, including composting, e-waste, smart compactors, and strategies to reduce hauls and contamination.

This Utility Wisdom episode takes a closer look at utility management in build-to-rent properties, including visibility challenges, service interruptions, and why owner-held utilities tend to scale more reliably than renter-controlled setups.

In this episode of Utility Wisdom, we examine how location shapes utility costs across the U.S., from energy market structures and local resource access to water availability and regulatory constraints. The conversation looks at why costs vary so widely by state and what property teams should consider when managing utilities in different regions.

This Utility Wisdom episode looks at how rent caps change the operating math for property owners, and the role utility management plays in protecting margins when rent growth is constrained.

Move-in-ready internet has become an expectation for multifamily residents. This episode breaks down how bulk WiFi works, why it’s being treated more like a utility than an amenity, and what owners and operators need to consider when evaluating internet management strategies.

In this episode of Utility Wisdom, we zoom out to look at the sheer scale of utilities across the U.S. housing and real estate landscape, from the number of buildings and service points to the data flowing through them every day. It’s a reminder of why utilities matter and what becomes possible when they’re managed with intention.