Managing water usage across properties can be a real headache, right? Between rising utility bills and tenants reporting leaks, it’s hard to stay on top of everything.
That’s where property maintenance software comes in. It’s like having a reliable assistant to help you track water usage, manage plumbing maintenance, and keep costs in check.
Let’s discuss how these tools can make your life easier and save you money.
Why Do You Need Property Maintenance Software for Water Usage?
Managing water usage efficiently is no small task, especially when handling multiple properties or a large property portfolio.
From unpredictable utility bills to leaks that seem to appear out of nowhere, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
Most property management companies use software to help with property management operations. The software tracks water usage and reports any unusual activity or overconsumption by tenants.
Water management software solutions will benefit your business, whether you pay your water bills or pass them on to your tenants with the old-fashioned billing method called RUBS.
The Cost of Water Waste
Water costs rise yearly, and wasted water can eat into your budget quickly. Leaks, running toilets, or inefficient appliances are common culprits.
Property maintenance management tools can help you track water usage in real time and show you where your money goes. They can also help you spot small problems early so you can fix them before they become costly.
Addressing Tenant Concerns
Without a system that allows you to monitor leak-prone areas, your tenants might feel like you're not maintaining your property properly.
With property maintenance management software and a reliable submetering system, you can detect issues like water leaks or abnormal water usage before they become costly problems.
Staying Ahead With Proper Monitoring
Preventive maintenance isn’t just about saving money—it’s about avoiding the chaos of unexpected repairs. Burst pipes, clogged drains, and other emergencies can disrupt your day and cost you a lot in repairs.
Sometimes, tenants can also be late at making maintenance requests. But with property maintenance software, you can pick up on potential issues before they turn into emergencies.
Improving Operational Efficiency
Trying to manage water usage manually, especially across multiple properties, is time-consuming. You’re juggling spreadsheets, emails, and tenant complaints, which leaves room for errors.
Property maintenance software centralizes all this information, so you have everything you need in one place.
From tracking water usage patterns to monitoring leak-prone areas, you’ll save time and make better decisions.
How Does Property Management Software for Water Usage Works
Think of property maintenance software as a digital helper that helps property managers keep track of all their property upkeep.
The software is often paired with a submetering system that monitors water usage in real time. Here's how it typically works:
Connects to Water Unit Meters
Most multifamily buildings in the US don’t have submetering capabilities, but some do use unit meters to monitor how much water each unit consumes. Some may also have micrometers attached to each water fixture in a unit. Together, they provide reliable unit-level metering for water consumption.
Organizes Your Data
The software takes the information from the submeters and turns it into simple reports. You can see graphs or summaries showing how much water each tenant uses.
Creates Water Bills
The software uses this data to calculate bills based on actual water use. Tenants only pay for what they use—no guessing. This makes it easier for property managers to bill their tenants fairly.
Sends Alerts
If there’s a sudden spike in water use, the software can send an alert. This helps you catch leaks or unusual usage quickly, and catching leaks early can cut your water bill significantly.
Examples of Property Maintenance Software for Water Usage
Here are our top recommendations:
1. DrizzleX
DrizzleX makes it easy to track water usage in your building. Our smart micrometers are one of the only ones available today to track water use at the fixture level, giving property managers like you an accurate and reliable view of leaks and overuse.
Key Features:
Installs quickly on all fixtures, including apartments and shared spaces.
Tracks water flow in real-time and alerts you to leaks or overuse.
Sends data to a cloud gateway you can access anytime.
A user-friendly dashboard shows you live updates and water stats.
Lets you bill tenants based on their actual water use.
Encourages tenants to save water and reduce waste.
DrizzleX takes the guesswork out of water management. You’ll know exactly where every drop is going, making it easier to save money and stay on top of maintenance.
2. Facilio
Facilio is a property management platform that helps property managers and facility teams manage building operations more efficiently. It offers real-time data on utilities, making it easy to detect inefficiencies and save costs.
Facilio enables property owners to save costs, improve operations, and create a better tenant experience while maintaining sustainable buildings.
Key Features:
Real-time monitoring of water and other utilities.
Advanced energy management tools.
Data-driven insights for resource optimization.
Cloud-based platform for easy access and scalability.
3. NextCentury
NextCentury makes it simple to track water use in real time. Their wireless system is easy to set up and gives you instant updates on water usage.
Key Features:
Wireless connection between meters and data gateways.
Real-time water usage tracking and reports.
Easy-to-use dashboard for analyzing data.
Works for properties of all sizes.
4. Flows
Flows offer systems to track water usage remotely. Their tools work for all types of properties and are easy to manage online.
Key Features:
Wireless meters with pre-programmed devices.
Works with many meter sizes and types.
Cloud access for real-time tracking.
Options for both wireless and wired systems.
Key Features to Look for in Property Maintenance Software for Water Usage
Not all property maintenance software is built the same. If you’re focusing on water management, there are specific features you’ll want to prioritize, such as:
Real-Time Water Usage Tracking and Reporting
The ability to see how much water your properties are using—at a glance—is a game-changer.
Good software has a centralized system that gives you detailed reports so you can track patterns and catch issues early. For example, if one unit suddenly uses way more water than others, the software can highlight that for you.
Having these insights also helps you plan. If you see that a building’s water usage keeps climbing, maybe it’s time to check for leaks or think about upgrading fixtures.
Get Instant Alerts When Something’s Off
Nobody wants to find out about a leak weeks later when the water bill arrives. The right property management tool will send you an alert the moment water usage goes beyond normal levels. This way, you can step in before things get out of hand.
Think about it: If a pipe bursts in a unit while no one’s home, an alert could save you thousands in repair costs and damage control. That’s peace of mind you can’t put a price on.
Comes With a Reliable Submetering System
If you’re using submeters to track water usage for individual units, you’ll want software that syncs with them.
It pulls the data straight from the meters and shows exactly how much each unit uses. This makes billing super simple and keeps everything fair.
It’s especially helpful for larger properties like student housing or multi-tenant buildings. Tenants can see their usage, and you can spot any unusual activity right away.
Turn Data Into Insights
Good software doesn’t just give you numbers; it helps you make sense of them. Analytics tools break down water usage trends, show you where you’re overspending, and even suggest ways to save.
It can even tell you the peak water usage times. It’s like having a roadmap to running your properties more efficiently.
How DrizzleX Can Help You With Property Maintenance
DrizzleX helps you find hidden leaks, like running toilets and dripping faucets, preventing millions of gallons of wasted water each year.
It also notifies you when tenants use too much water. Most buildings that use DrizzleX cut their water bills by 25-45% or more.
You can expect a quick return on investment (ROI) with us. On average, buildings save enough with DrizzleX to pay for it in about 9 months.
With DrizzleX, you can easily monitor leak-prone areas and do preventive maintenance much more efficiently. Get a free quote today and see how our submetering system can help you save time and money.
Usage Reports
DrizzleX offers a “Water Consumption Insights” report, which highlights excessive water usage. Many people don’t realize how much water they use, so this report helps reduce unnecessary costs.
You can use the data to discuss water habits with tenants and provide accurate information to support your conversation.
Leak Detection
Leaks can be hard to spot since they’re not always visible. While property inspections can catch the obvious ones, silent leaks often only show up in high utility bills.
DrizzleX helps you take control by letting you monitor water flow throughout your building. The system will notify you where and how much water is lost.
E-mail Notifications
DrizzleX alerts you of a leak via email. The message includes all the details you need to know about the leak, such as the exact apartment and even the fixture where the leak is.
It also includes how many gallons were used, the potential cost you might face if the leak isn't fixed, and even suggests possible causes for the water waste and how to fix it.
Billing
Tenants tend to save more water when they’re accurately billed for their water usage. DrizzleX lets you bill tenants directly. Create accurate water bills based on their actual consumption and bill them fairly.
FAQs About Property Maintenance Software
What is the meaning of property management software?
Property management software is a tool that helps you manage tenant maintenance requests, track maintenance tasks, and schedule preventive maintenance for things like HVAC systems, lighting, and structural upkeep. It’s an all-in-one solution for property managers looking to simplify their workload.
What is CRM in property management?
CRM in property management stands for Customer Relationship Management. It’s a system that helps property managers manage tenant and prospect interactions, handle communications, and improve customer service.
What does property management CMMS mean?
CRM in property management stands for Customer Relationship Management. This software has property management features that help property managers manage tenant and prospect interactions, handle communications, and improve customer service.
How can property management software manage assets?
Property management maintenance software with asset management features helps you monitor the condition of your equipment, appliances, and other valuable resources. They can help you track the lifespan of your property assets, such as water heaters and appliances.
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