Embue is a smart building platform for multifamily portfolios, offering whole-building intelligence and automation that enables owners and managers to efficiently monitor and control apartments, common areas, and building systems.
Embue
Flexible Energy Efficient Controls
Embue is a building management platform that gives owners and managers of multifamily buildings real time information, monitoring and control of their building’s equipment and indoor environment.
Description
Embue's Super™ building management platform gives owners and managers of multifamily buildings real time information, monitoring and control of their building’s equipment and indoor environment, from the central plant to individual apartments. This platform is used in conjunction with Embue smart thermostats, sensors, and devices.
Use Cases
have better visibility into real-time electricity use at a building
have better visibility into real-time water use at a building
helps to lower the upfront and/or ongoing costs of electrification
reduce building energy/utility costs
optimize the usage of my HVAC equipment
better visibility into real-time utility use at a building,
regulate indoor temperature (its too hot or too cold)
provide unit level temperature control and visibility
provide building level temperature control and visibility
improve/upgrade my HVAC system
anticipate issues to my equipment (e.g. HVAC) before they happen (preventative maintenance)
avoid refrigerant leaks in a building/portfolio
Key Differentiators
Building-wide monitoring and control - Embue’s thermostat operates on a private Zigbee wireless network and does not rely on resident Wi-Fi. It integrates with the Embue platform to monitor comfort and system performance, generate alerts, and support both short-term operations and long-term planning. While many standalone smart thermostats function at the individual apartment level, Embue provides building-wide monitoring and coordinated control across units.
In-unit and central system coordination - Many central plant optimization tools focus primarily on boilers, chillers, and pumps. Embue extends monitoring and control to in-unit equipment, enabling coordination between central systems and apartment-level devices. This approach allows building operators to assess system performance and load management across both plant and unit levels without relying on a separate Building Management System (BMS).
Deeper, more consistent data insights - Some boiler monitoring systems rely on data from a limited number of apartments to assess system performance. Embue provides sensing and control across all units, supporting broader comfort monitoring, fault detection, and equipment performance analysis. This system-wide coverage enables more consistent data collection and operational oversight
Cost Savings
Embue reduces energy costs up to 30%.
Potential revenue from participation in Embue's Virtual Power Plant service under development.
About
Decarbonization Impacts
Operational Emissions
Embue cuts each apartment’s carbon footprint by 1 ton of CO annually
Project + Building Compatibility
Project Type
Both existing building retrofits and new construction
Essential Building Characteristics
Embue is designed to work across a wide range of multifamily buildings and HVAC types, including both older fan coils and newer heat pump systems, which may coexist within the same property. Embue cannot manage single-pipe steam heating systems. Embue can manage AC units in steam-heated buildings.
Ideal Building Characteristics
Buildings where the owner covers heating costs tend to see the highest return on investment.
Minimum Project Size
Cost effective in 20+ unit buildings
Ideal Project Size
5,000+ unit portfolio
Additional Considerations
One Cat6 cable is installed from the building’s internet connection to each "Embue Core" access point (one per 25–40 apartments). A cellular modem can also be used instead of a cable.
NY Contractor Availability
Embue can work with a range of installers, including those sourced by Embue or the customer. Central equipment installation requires an HVAC installer; in-unit requires a lower skill level.
Other Screening Criteria
Embue works with owners to identify return on investment in advance of the project by examining heating bills.
While Embue does not control single-pipe steam heating systems, it can manage AC units in steam-heated buildings to avoid simultaneous heating and cooling.
Example Installations
Installed By
WinnCompanies, Schochet Companies, and 2Life Communities
Resident Experience
During Installation
Embue can be installed with tenants/residents in place.
An Embue thermostat and one or more Embue sensors are installed in each apartment and common space HVAC zone, requiring less than 30 minutes per zone.
A typical 250-unit building requires 30 minutes of labor per apartment by a low voltage installer and four hours labor by an HVAC technician for central equipment connections.
Post Installation
Embue improves HVAC control and system reliability, which supports healthier and more comfortable indoor environments.
Financing
Upfront Costs
Embue can be installed with a zero upfront cost business model to reduce building owner cost burden.
Ongoing Costs
There is a minimum 3-year contract on the Embue Super service offerings for a per-unit annual fee.
Embue Central is available on a subcription only basis (with zero up-front cost) or as an up-front purchase with a lower subscription fee.
NY Incentives/Financing Resources
Climate Friendly Homes Fund. When Embue is specified as part of a deep energy retrofit / electrification
Weatherization Assistance Progra
Consolidated Edison (ConEd) Multifamily Energy Efficiency Program (MFEEP)
Payback Period
24 months
Operations, Management, and Maintenance
Operations and Maintenance Requirements
The Embue requires 5 minutes of maintenance per apartment once every one to three years to replace the battery in the Embue sensor(s) in each apartment. Embue Super alerts building staff when batteries require replacement. Many building operators schedule battery replacements at the same time as an HVAC filter replacement.
The rest of the Embue system requires no regular maintenance by building staff. The Embue operations center monitors and manages Embue network health and will alert staff if there are any problems requiring attention.
Ease of Operations
After installation, Embue will hold a one hour online onboarding session with senior management and on-site building staff. Staff are fully trained to operate the Embue Super app and will have discussed and agreed on energy savings goals and settings, as well as have implemented those settings through the app with guidance from Embue.
Service Support
Embue has available installers and is open to working with new New York based organizations
Data + Performance
Embue gives property teams visibility across the whole building, enabling them to detect inefficiencies and take action. It automates thermostats and central HVAC equipment to reduce wasted heating, cooling, and pump energy, and supports peak load management. Embue can be customized for owners, staff, and residents. The platform is also expanding to manage solar and battery systems.
Future Proofing
Embue helps future-proof New York multifamily properties by preparing them for evolving energy regulations, rising utility costs, extreme weather, and grid modernization. The platform reduces energy consumption by approximately 25%, improves operational resilience through remote monitoring and automation, and creates a foundation for demand response, virtual power plants, electrification, battery storage, solar, and EV charging. By improving efficiency today and enabling future technologies, Embue helps owners reduce risk while protecting resident comfort and NOI.
Specifications
FCC (Federal Communications Commission); UL (Underwriters Laboratories)
The Embue network is 95% wireless to minimize installation costs.
The Embue Thermostats work with 24V low voltage wiring, line voltage wiring, selected digital interfaces to heat pumps, and infrared remote controls. The Embue thermostat also works with communicating radiator valves which is how Embue can control steam and hydronic radiator systems. The Embue HVAC Management Module monitors and in most cases controls boilers, chillers, pumps, variable frequency drives, and monitors power consumption. Depending on the equipment, Embue may use Modbus, BACnet, 0-10V controls or dry contact relays.
