The Utility Room

Mary Nitschke
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Business
  • Weekly

Utilities touch everything: budgets, compliance, resident satisfaction — yet most operators still don’t have clear visibility. The Utility Room is a podcast for multifamily leaders who want practical conversations about energy, sustainability, and operations — from people who actually run buildings, shape policy, and invest in the future of multifamily. No theory. No guilt. Just real insight into saving time, reducing risk, and creating better outcomes for owners, operators, and residents. It’s a safe space where you’ll walk away with insights you can put into action.

  1. 5d ago

    42 - PR, Storytelling, and the Death of Green Fluff

    The biggest mistake in sustainability? Selling “green” instead of selling what actually moves the market: lower cost, faster adoption, and real returns. Mary Nitschke https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-nitschke/ speaks with Beck Bamberger https://www.linkedin.com/in/beck-bamberger/, a PR and communications expert who represents venture-backed companies in sustainability, climate, and energy. They discuss why climate solutions need to make business sense, how founders and investors can explain complex technology, and practical ways to reduce the footprint of in-person events.Timestamps00:00 - Beck’s origin story and path into PR04:03 - Why climate solutions need to make economic sense07:25 - Incentives, risk, and the business case for sustainability09:25 - What Beck hears at climate and energy media events12:29 - How sustainability and AI messaging have shifted16:09 - Why startups need to simplify technical language19:21 - “Bottom line up front” for founders and sales teams20:18 - Beck’s concept of narrative capital21:17 - Ways to reduce the footprint of in-person eventsThis episode is brought to you by Energy CX. Energy CX is a modern energy strategy firm built for volatility. We combine data, technology, and real market expertise to help businesses take control of one of their largest—and most unpredictable—operating costs. With more than 2 billion square feet under management across 20+ deregulated states, we’ve back tested and proven that our strategy consistently outperforms traditional procurement. Powered by ABEL™, our proprietary decision engine, we buy energy with the same discipline and timing as a trading desk—giving companies clarity, stability, and a long-term strategic advantage in every energy decision.To Learn More: https://www.energycx.com/?utm_campaign=32624679-MMN%20Podcast%20Sponsorship&utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=brand-awareness🔔 Click subscribe to @MultifamilyMediaNetwork on YouTube and stay up to date on our growing lineup of multifamily industry leaders and must-hear conversations! 📰 Sign up at https://www.multifamilymedianetwork.com/ to receive our newsletter and explore our library of podcasts and blogs from today’s multifamily experts!

  2. Oct 20

    41 - If You See a Bunch of Cooks in the Kitchen, You're Paying for All the Cooks

    Energy costs are squeezing multifamily owners from both sides - and most operators are still treating them like a background expenseMary Nitschke https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-nitschke/ sits down with Matt Buchalski https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewbuchalski/ to discuss why that is a mistake, how Texas demand is reshaping pricing, and what owners can actually do to protect margins before residents feel the full hit.Matt talks about his move from enterprise software into energy, how ComparePower is expanding beyond its Texas consumer roots, and why rising utility costs are reshaping multifamily underwriting. They dig into how bulk energy agreements work and why resident-facing savings matter more in a tight market.Timestamps:00:00 - Mary introduces Matt and tees up his energy and real estate background00:30 - Matt’s path from software leadership to ComparePower01:33 - Why ComparePower had room to expand beyond one core business02:31 - Building new revenue lines under a strong brand03:36 - What is driving higher energy bills in Texas04:51 - Population growth and migration pressure on the grid05:57 - Looking at energy as both an operator and a property owner06:31 - Why underwriting assumptions changed so dramatically after 202107:07 - Rising taxes, insurance, repairs, and inflation squeeze margins08:44 - Controllable expenses that are becoming more predictable10:14 - How resident utility costs affect renewals and retention11:18 - Why residents notice fees and concessions more than they used to12:43 - Can owners pass utility costs through or absorb them?13:49 - What a CSA is and how bulk energy agreements work15:39 - How owners can lower costs with shopping and resident programs16:48 - Resident education and helping people understand their usage17:23 - Smart thermostats, HVAC use, and everyday energy habits18:48 - Using thermostat automation to reduce bills at home19:24 - Why SMB owners are underserved on energy education20:04 - Where Matt points people for market awareness and rate shopping21:13 - The value of comparing multiple suppliers instead of one quote22:37 - Why layered intermediaries can hide significant markups23:34 - “If you see a bunch of cooks in the kitchen, you’re paying for all the cooks”This episode is brought to you by PlugOp.When it's time to build, PlugOp delivers turnkey installation and software design specifically for the unique needs of apartment communities. And after launch, their real-time dashboard analytics shows you how to scale smarter and optimize pricing over time.If you're looking to elevate your EV charging strategy, PlugOp is with you every step of the way from day zero and beyond.To Learn More: https://www.plugop.com/?utm_source=MMN&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=utility-room-sponsorship🔔 Click subscribe to @MultifamilyMediaNetwork on YouTube and stay up to date on our growing lineup of multifamily industry leaders and must-hear conversations! 📰 Sign up at https://www.multifamilymedianetwork.com/ to receive our newsletter and explore our library of podcasts and blogs from today’s multifamily experts!

  3. Oct 13

    40 - Bees, Please: The Multifamily Amenity You Didn’t See Coming

    Steve Peck https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevepeckcro/ of Beewise joins MAry Nitschke https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-nitschke/ on The Utility Room to share how a beekeeper-founder turned a practical problem into a technology platform, and why the company’s mission to save the bees now stretches well beyond agriculture. Using sensors, cameras, robotics, and AI to manage bees more safely and effectively, Beewise has mastered urban beekeeping and expanded into multifamily, agrihoods, rooftop spaces, and resident education programs.Steve shares interesting facts about why bees matter to food systems, and how urban beehives are designed to reduce risk while creating a strong community amenity. Mary and Steve also spend time on bee behavior, bee facts, and why curiosity is often the best entry point into pollinator education.Timestamps00:00 - The origin story of Beewise and why bees matter01:18 - How technology and beekeeping came together02:02 - Sensors, cameras, robotics, and AI inside modern hives02:33 - Why bees are essential to crops and flowering plants03:51 - How Beewise entered multifamily through operator demand04:21 - Why resident engagement became a new business opportunity05:54 - Hands-on hive events and resident education08:38 - The three-part safety approach for urban beehives09:08 - Why bee safety questions are a useful teaching moment10:07 - Hive placement, access control, and urban design11:04 - Monitoring hive health to prevent swarming and aggression11:34 - How Beewise can attract natural swarms into suitable hives14:30 - What agrihoods are and why they fit bee amenities16:02 - Community gardens, schools, and the Angeline partnership18:43 - How residents can support bee health even without space19:29 - Why learning about bees leads to broader advocacy20:21 - The waggle dance and how bees communicate direction and distance24:01 - Closing thoughts and invitation to a hive diveThis episode is brought to you by Public Grid https://www.linkedin.com/company/publicgrid/.Public Grid helps multifamily operators see what’s normally invisible, simplify sustainability, and create better resident experiences — without adding operational burden.We bring visibility into property and portfolio-level utility usage that’s historically been opaque, give operators RECs and sustainability credit when residents choose greener energy, and make it easy for residents to sign up in just three easy steps — saving money and hours of effort.The result? Happier residents, cleaner data, and smarter decisions — all without changing how you operate your properties.Learn more: https://publicgrid.property/?utm_source=MMN&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=theutilityroom🔔 Click subscribe to @MultifamilyMediaNetwork on YouTube and stay up to date on our growing lineup of multifamily industry leaders and must-hear conversations! 📰 Sign up at https://www.multifamilymedianetwork.com/ to receive our newsletter and explore our library of podcasts and blogs from today’s multifamily experts!

  4. Oct 6

    39 - Midstream Incentives: Change What’s on the Truck

    Mary Nitschke talks with Harry Bergmann https://www.linkedin.com/in/harry-bergmann-a338ba37/ about his path from local government energy work to the Department of Energy and now Code Green, where he focuses on data standardization, building performance standards, and helping owners turn compliance into action. They push past the usual policy talking points and dig into the questions owners care about most: what changes when the pressure shifts from paperwork to action, and how do buildings stay future-ready when the grid, the weather, and occupancy patterns keep changing?Timestamps00:00 - Introductions and Harry’s origin story00:34 - From local government energy work to DOE01:46 - Standardizing building energy and equipment data02:44 - How data standards helped seed building performance standards03:14 - Moving into state and community energy programs03:44 - Joining Code Green to focus on building owner compliance04:31 - Why working at scale changes the impact05:40 - BPS is not a silver bullet06:09 - Why jurisdictions and owners are still learning the basics06:39 - The shift from compliance to agency07:09 - Acting now as the biggest opportunity under BPS cycles08:07 - BPS as a business decision, not just a mandate09:43 - How BPS can improve resilience and asset value10:34 - Support for disadvantaged communities and critical buildings11:46 - The split incentive problem in multifamily14:43 - Midstream incentives as a possible fix15:32 - Why contractor stock matters for technology adoption16:43 - Rapid-response repairs as a moment to deploy efficient equipment18:12 - What happens after compliance targets are met19:15 - How hybrid work is changing office demand and energy use20:13 - Planning for advanced controls, electrification, and EV charging21:22 - Building for flexibility and future reuse22:54 - Most 2050 buildings are already standing todayThis episode is brought to you by PlugOp.When it's time to build, PlugOp delivers turnkey installation and software design specifically for the unique needs of apartment communities. And after launch, their real-time dashboard analytics shows you how to scale smarter and optimize pricing over time.If you're looking to elevate your EV charging strategy, PlugOp is with you every step of the way from day zero and beyond.To Learn More: https://www.plugop.com/?utm_source=MMN&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=utility-room-sponsorship🔔 Click subscribe to @MultifamilyMediaNetwork on YouTube and stay up to date on our growing lineup of multifamily industry leaders and must-hear conversations! 📰 Sign up at https://www.multifamilymedianetwork.com/ to receive our newsletter and explore our library of podcasts and blogs from today’s multifamily experts!

  5. Sep 29

    38 - Your Building Is Part of the Energy System

    Building Performance Standards (BPS) are expanding across the country, but what do they actually mean for building owners, operators, and residents?Mary Nitschke https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-nitschke/ sits down with Alex Dews https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-dews/ to explore how Building Performance Standards are evolving, what policymakers have learned from early adopters, and why multifamily properties require a different approach than traditional commercial buildings.Alex brings experience across real estate, construction, local government, nonprofit work, and building performance policy. Together, Mary and Alex break down BPS without the fear factor and look at what successful implementation can actually look like.Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction to Alex Dews and why building policy matters(01:23) Why building performance standards keep evolving(03:55) Denver and Colorado as a case study in overlapping policy(07:18) Why IMT says “building performance” instead of “energy efficiency”(09:41) Buildings as part of the grid and energy system(10:47) Peak demand, flexibility, and the financial case for load shifting(12:08) Multifamily demand response and the post-pandemic shift(13:45) Why multifamily needs different policy treatment(15:32) Alternative compliance pathways for older buildings(17:09) The split incentive problem in multifamily housing(18:50) Owner tenant collaboration as a compliance tool(22:00) The limits and value of submetering(26:02) What early implementation is teaching DC and New York(26:58) How property owners can keep up with changing BPS rules(29:03) Paying for upgrades and thinking in terms of capital planning delta(30:09) Why better performance can reduce work orders and operating painNotable quotesThis episode is brought to you by Public Grid https://www.linkedin.com/company/publicgrid/.Public Grid helps multifamily operators see what’s normally invisible, simplify sustainability, and create better resident experiences — without adding operational burden.We bring visibility into property and portfolio-level utility usage that’s historically been opaque, give operators RECs and sustainability credit when residents choose greener energy, and make it easy for residents to sign up in just three easy steps — saving money and hours of effort.The result? Happier residents, cleaner data, and smarter decisions — all without changing how you operate your properties.Learn more: https://publicgrid.property/?utm_source=MMN&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=theutilityroom🔔 Click subscribe to @MultifamilyMediaNetwork on YouTube and stay up to date on our growing lineup of multifamily industry leaders and must-hear conversations! 📰 Sign up at https://www.multifamilymedianetwork.com/ to receive our newsletter and explore our library of podcasts and blogs from today’s multifamily experts!

  6. Sep 22

    37 - Waste Is the Last Space in the Building

    Waste is one of the biggest blind spots in multifamily, and it may be costing owners far more than they realize. Shamir Hyman https://www.linkedin.com/in/shamirhyman/, CEO and founder of WasteXAI, explains why the industry has been stuck in a black box for decades and how verified, container-level data could change everything.Host, Mary Nitschke, and Shamir unpack the hidden operations behind trash service, recycling contamination, missed pickups, compliance headaches, and the labor drain created when teams have to hunt for answers with no hard evidence. Shamir shares why waste should be treated as a resident experience asset, not just a pass-through expense, and why the future of property operations depends on turning this overlooked function into something measurable.In this episode:The evolution of waste managementThe role of verified operational dataHow WasteXAI's technology works on-siteThe impact of data transparency on costs and operationsFuture trends in waste management and industry transformationChapters00:00 Introduction to WasteXAI and Industry Challenges03:20 Shamir Hyman's Origin Story and Industry Motivation09:30 Why Most Waste Operations Are in the Dark14:08 The One Thing Most Owners Don't Know About Waste18:56 The Black Box of the Waste Industry23:23 How WasteXAI Measures and Verifies Waste Events27:07 The Operational History and Data of Waste Management28:56 The Future of Waste Management in Five YearsThis episode is brought to you by PlugOp.When it's time to build, PlugOp delivers turnkey installation and software design specifically for the unique needs of apartment communities. And after launch, their real-time dashboard analytics shows you how to scale smarter and optimize pricing over time.If you're looking to elevate your EV charging strategy, PlugOp is with you every step of the way from day zero and beyond.To Learn More: https://www.plugop.com/?utm_source=MMN&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=utility-room-sponsorship🔔 Click subscribe to @MultifamilyMediaNetwork on YouTube and stay up to date on our growing lineup of multifamily industry leaders and must-hear conversations! 📰 Sign up at https://www.multifamilymedianetwork.com/ to receive our newsletter and explore our library of podcasts and blogs from today’s multifamily experts!

  7. Sep 15

    36 - Real Estate Sustainability Is Like Playing Three-Dimensional Chess

    Mary Nitschke https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-nitschke/ sits down with Jessica Long https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-long-3666692a/, who brings nearly 20 years of experience across commercial real estate, public REITs, and asset management, to unpack how sustainability evolved from tenant-driven energy conversations into a portfolio-level strategy tied to value, governance, and investor expectations. From the early days of LEED adoption to leading sustainability at NAREIT, Jessica traces the industry’s transformation and explains why the real story is not whether REITs care about sustainability, but how they turn it into measurable business performance.In this episode:The evolution of sustainability in real estate over 20 yearsThe role of NAREIT in industry advocacy and educationJessica Long's career path from private to public REITsThe impact of sustainability on operational expenses and capital marketsSector-specific sustainability practices and reporting trendsThe shift from voluntary to mandatory sustainability disclosuresThe integration of financial metrics with sustainability dataFuture trends in AI and data analysis for ESG performanceThe importance of holistic CapEx planning for sustainabilityThe influence of tenant and investor demands on sustainability strategiesChapters00:00 Introduction to Jessica Long and the importance of sustainability in real estate02:29 Jessica Long's career journey in real estate and sustainability07:53 Overview of NAREIT and its role in the industry11:34 2026 Industry Sustainability Report highlights and sector insights15:03 The economic value of sustainability in real estate21:26 Future trends in sustainability reporting and data analysisThis episode is brought to you by Energy CX. Energy CX is a modern energy strategy firm built for volatility. We combine data, technology, and real market expertise to help businesses take control of one of their largest—and most unpredictable—operating costs. With more than 2 billion square feet under management across 20+ deregulated states, we’ve back tested and proven that our strategy consistently outperforms traditional procurement. Powered by ABEL™, our proprietary decision engine, we buy energy with the same discipline and timing as a trading desk—giving companies clarity, stability, and a long-term strategic advantage in every energy decision.To Learn More: https://www.energycx.com/?utm_campaign=32624679-MMN%20Podcast%20Sponsorship&utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=brand-awareness🔔 Click subscribe to @MultifamilyMediaNetwork on YouTube and stay up to date on our growing lineup of multifamily industry leaders and must-hear conversations! 📰 Sign up at https://www.multifamilymedianetwork.com/ to receive our newsletter and explore our library of podcasts and blogs from today’s multifamily experts!

  8. Sep 8

    35 - Waste Is the Commodity Nobody Wants to Date

    Waste is the last thing most property teams want to tackle, but it may be the fastest path to better resident experience, lower operating costs, and real sustainability impact.Cass McFadden, Vice President of Sustainability at Cortland https://www.linkedin.com/in/cassmcfadden/ , shares how Cortland turned a messy, overlooked utility into an award-winning program that industry peers can’t ignore.Mary Nitschke congratulates Cortland on their UMA Sustainability and Innovation Award win, and Cass breaks down what it took to build a credible waste strategy from the ground up. The conversation reveals how smart partnerships, better data, and a willingness to test can turn trash into measurable operational wins.In this episode:Waste diversion programs and their impactIndustry recognition and awards in sustainabilityPartnerships with local vendors for recyclingData and metrics in waste managementCommunity engagement and signage in recyclingGlass recycling and closed-loop systemsOperational cost savings through waste reductionProactive waste stream management strategiesChapters00:00 Introduction to Cass McFadden and Cortland's sustainability efforts01:50 Cass shares the significance of industry awards in sustainability04:04 Overview of Cortland as a multifamily real estate firm06:57 How waste management programs were developed and implemented09:04 The importance of data and real-time metrics in waste diversion11:57 Focus on glass recycling and its benefits14:57 Closed-loop recycling with Coca-Cola containers17:00 Resident engagement and signage strategies for waste sorting19:54 Next steps and future plans for waste and diversion at CortlandThis episode is brought to you by Public Grid https://www.linkedin.com/company/publicgrid/.Public Grid helps multifamily operators see what’s normally invisible, simplify sustainability, and create better resident experiences — without adding operational burden.We bring visibility into property and portfolio-level utility usage that’s historically been opaque, give operators RECs and sustainability credit when residents choose greener energy, and make it easy for residents to sign up in just three easy steps — saving money and hours of effort.The result? Happier residents, cleaner data, and smarter decisions — all without changing how you operate your properties.Learn more: https://publicgrid.property/?utm_source=MMN&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=theutilityroom🔔 Click subscribe to @MultifamilyMediaNetwork on YouTube and stay up to date on our growing lineup of multifamily industry leaders and must-hear conversations! 📰 Sign up at https://www.multifamilymedianetwork.com/ to receive our newsletter and explore our library of podcasts and blogs from today’s multifamily experts!

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About

Utilities touch everything: budgets, compliance, resident satisfaction — yet most operators still don’t have clear visibility. The Utility Room is a podcast for multifamily leaders who want practical conversations about energy, sustainability, and operations — from people who actually run buildings, shape policy, and invest in the future of multifamily. No theory. No guilt. Just real insight into saving time, reducing risk, and creating better outcomes for owners, operators, and residents. It’s a safe space where you’ll walk away with insights you can put into action.

Information

  • Creator
    Mary Nitschke
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Mary Nitschke
  • Show Website
    The Utility Room