Realinvest has set ambitious sustainability goals. A key component in this effort is moisture sensors from Sensor Innovation, which protect the company against water damage.
Realinvest is a family-owned property company with roots dating back to 1891. Headquartered in Trondheim, they develop and manage properties in the residential, commercial, shopping center, and hotel sectors.
With into®, Realinvest is ready for the future
Realinvest’s 2023 sustainability strategy states that the company must be "prepared for the demands and expectations of the future." The company has set clear goals and expectations for its investments in proptech for its buildings.
First and foremost, proptech should lead to better maintenance and operational management of the company’s properties. By using condition-based moisture monitoring from Sensor Innovation, Realinvest can identify and address issues with abnormal moisture levels and temperatures before they become major problems. This reduces risk, extends the lifespan of buildings, stabilizes maintenance costs, and decreases insurance payouts.
– Investing in green technology, such as into® technology from Sensor Innovation, is, in many ways, a natural choice for a company like ours, explains Realinvest’s Property Manager, Martin Hoff Myhr. He adds that the company has had very positive experiences with both the technology and the expertise from Sensor Innovation.
– Their solutions have proven to be crucial in achieving our sustainability goals and efficient property management, says Hoff Myhr.
Sensor alerts enabled preventive measures
One of the most valuable aspects of Sensor Innovation’s technology is the ability to provide early warnings and prevent damage to buildings. The sensors have detected deviations and potential issues before they escalated into larger, more costly problems. This has enabled Realinvest to implement preventive measures, reduce the risk of operational downtime, and minimize maintenance costs.
At Comfort Hotel Park in Trondheim, the company has been using into® technology for over a year.
– During this period, two roof leaks were detected, and we also received two alerts about blocked drains, Hoff Myhr says enthusiastically.
One of the alerts came during a heavy snowfall, which filled the roof with snow and blocked the drains. When warmer weather arrived and the snow began to melt, the hotel faced a potential roof flooding. Fortunately, the alert came in time, allowing the operators to resolve the issue before water seeped into the walls.
– Our tenant greatly appreciates the uninterrupted operation of the premises. For us as landlords, this is also crucial, as a large part of the rent is based on turnover. We are confident that our investments in into® technology and other proptech solutions will enable us to meet future demands efficiently and sustainably, says Hoff Myhr.
Sensor Innovation in good proptech company
In addition to investments in the into® sensor system for more predictable operations and extended building lifespan, Realinvest has high expectations for other types of proptech as well.
Hoff Myhr is particularly optimistic about technologies that can monitor and optimize energy usage. He also envisions intelligent systems that adapt to users' needs in real time, creating a better indoor environment and increasing user satisfaction.
– Investments in both moisture monitoring and other highlighted areas will make Realinvest’s buildings more attractive to tenants. Sustainability and technology are key factors in the future real estate market, and by staying ahead with such solutions, we position ourselves as leaders in sustainable property development, Hoff Myhr explains.
Sustainability in practice
Typical flat roofs have a lifespan of about 25 years before they need to be re-roofed, which is the industry standard today. By using into® technology, which generally has a battery life of 30 years, the roof’s total lifespan can be significantly extended.
If the sensors indicate high humidity or water inside the roof at an earlier stage, we immediately have the opportunity to renovate at a much earlier time and on a much smaller scale.
– Events like those at Comfort Hotel Park provide solid evidence that supports Realinvest's focus on sustainability initiatives. Without into® technology, the hotel would have suffered water damage, which would have affected its operations and resulted in unnecessary material use – something we consider sustainability in practice, says Bjørge R. Nesset, CPO at Sensor Innovation.
Read more about Sensor Innovation’s contribution to sustainable buildings.
Another area where the hotel industry seeks solutions from Sensor Innovation is to prevent water damage caused by people falling asleep while sitting on the drain in the shower. These incidents occur frequently, but Sensor Innovation can help prevent them with simple and cost-effective solutions.
Live data and detailed reports
What Hoff Myhr finds most impressive about Sensor Innovation’s technology is that the system provides live data along with detailed reports on whether and when implemented measures are working as intended, and when the damage can be cleared. Realinvest has seen that their extensive use of sensor technology is crucial for operating efficiently and remaining competitive as landlords in a highly competitive market.
The technology not only helps the company save money on damages and maintenance costs but also helps them achieve their sustainability goals.
– This brings financial benefits to both us and the insurance companies, as well as better sustainability scores, which we are very focused on. We are convinced that our investments in into® technology and other proptech will help us meet future demands and expectations in an efficient and sustainable way, Martin Hoff Myhr concludes.