Building Cooling Tech Tackles Energy Waste
New Platform Optimizes HVAC Systems for Efficiency and Comfort
As extreme summer heat intensifies, commercial real estate owners are under pressure to manage soaring cooling costs while enhancing tenant comfort. Innovative technology is now addressing the inefficiencies of traditional building management systems.
Smart Sensors Target Building Climate Control
Many large buildings operate on a one-size-fits-all temperature setting, leading to discomfort and wasted energy as some areas become too hot or too cold. A company called Runwise has developed a proprietary hardware and software solution to combat this issue, extending its original focus on heating to include cooling.
“We’re trying to hit these climate goals, yet right in our literal building we’re throwing money away every time you run a boiler when it doesn’t need to run, you’re wasting money and you’re producing carbon emissions unnecessarily that really make nobody comfortable,” said Jeff Carleton, co-founder and CEO of Runwise.
The platform integrates advanced weather forecasting with a network of wireless temperature sensors that communicate with a central control system. This system analyzes the data to operate building equipment more effectively, optimizing energy use based on real-time conditions and predicted weather patterns.
Proven Savings and Expansion
Runwise’s technology is currently deployed in over 10,000 buildings across 10 states, serving approximately 1,000 clients, including major real estate firms like Related, Equity Residential, and the Port Authority. The company reports that it has collectively saved clients more than $100 million in energy expenses to date. For context, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that buildings account for nearly 40% of U.S. energy consumption (EPA).
Future Growth Fueled by Investment
The company recently secured $55 million in Series B funding, spearheaded by Menlo Ventures, bringing its total investment to $79 million. Funds from investors such as Nuveen Real Estate and Fifth Wall will support nationwide expansion and the integration of artificial intelligence into their systems. Jeff Carleton highlighted the company’s vision: “It’s only going to become more and more ingrained in what we build, as we collect data from more and more buildings and build more advanced models on how to run them more efficiently.”
