Motili - Experts & Thought Leaders

Motili, an industry-pioneering property and HVAC technology company, advises single-family homeowners and property managers to participate in preventative maintenance for their HVAC units before and after the busy season. As it's early summer, right before the heat and humidity increase, property owners and operators can prepare for the HVAC busy season with preventative maintenance. And, given the recent air quality emergency from the Canadian wildfires, maintenance can ensure HVAC units have fresh filters which increase the life of the unit. Preventative maintenance for HVAC systems can help avoid costly emergency maintenance and repairs amid the summer heat. It can also alleviate the stress of finding HVAC contractors when their schedules are busiest. Author's quote When the climate is hottest, consumer demand for air conditioning is highest" "Contractors are booked and backed up during the summer months. When the climate is hottest, consumer demand for air conditioning is highest," says Deborah Shipp, Technical Manager and Product Development Liaison at Motili. He adds, "By preparing with preventative maintenance, homeowners and property managers can save themselves the hassle of finding contractors in case of an emergency - such as the recent wildfires, and being stuck inside with no air conditioning and poor indoor air quality." HVAC replacements and preventative maintenance Resident satisfaction in multifamily residential units can drastically drop if emergency HVAC issues are not addressed quickly. Additionally, due to supply chain delays, many manufacturers have yet to catch up on production post-pandemic.  With an increasing shortage of skilled labor and supply chain issues, costs of HVAC maintenance will continue to increase regularly for the foreseeable future. To begin preventative maintenance after the HVAC busy season, property managers can begin budget planning in September to manage and plan for HVAC replacements and preventative maintenance for the winter months.

In this ongoing video series from Motili, the company highlights PropTech, CRE, multi-family, and single-family industry news. Motili’s latest video takes a look at sustainability trends that are impacting the HVAC industry. Below they outline the topics discussed in the video and outline the key sustainability trends. Sustainability Sustainability is a growing priority in many industries, including the HVAC industry. One of the most significant trends is pushing us towards a more sustainable future. That includes energy efficiency standards and increasing energy regulations. Starting in 2023, the minimum SEER rating and the heating seasonal performance factor for residential air conditioning and heat pump systems are going to increase. This change is predicted to eventually save between 2.5 and 12 billion dollars on energy bills. Safer Refrigerants Refrigerants such as R-22 and R-410A are being phased out and are being replaced by other refrigerants Another factor is safer refrigerants. The industry needs refrigerants for HVAC systems to function. There is a push to make them safer and less harmful to the environment. Refrigerants such as R-22 and R-410A are being phased out and are being replaced by other refrigerants such as R-32 which are lower in toxicity and flammability, and they also have a lower global warming potential. Green and Smart Technology Green tech and smart technology are impacting their sustainability. For example, the Internet of Things (IoT) is rapidly expanding. Things such as remote monitoring and smart thermostats are making a positive impact on sustainability. Electrification also continues to be a major initiative - switching from gas to electric HVAC systems is one of the top energy initiatives. Scalable HVAC solutions “These new regulations and safer refrigerants are going to have a significant impact on the environment,” said Matthew Sallee, Vice President of Sales, Motili. “Not only will these changes positively impact the environment, but they will also result in lower energy bills.” Motili is an integrative, HVAC technology platform that offers products and services nationwide. Motili is part of the Daikin Company, the largest HVAC manufacturer in the world, with access to thousands of contractors and distribution centers, providing scalable HVAC solutions to customers. 

In a series from Motili, the company highlights PropTech, CRE, multi-family, and single-family industry news. Motili’s latest video takes a look at the importance of quality HVAC installation and the resources available to contractors to ensure they are performing optimally. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently reported that 4 out of 10 American homes have HVAC systems that are improperly designed and installed.  Energy-Efficient living experience Quality installations are important for everyone involved in the process. A quality installation is important for the contractor so they can grow their business and establish a reputation as a provider of quality HVAC products and services, while keeping the home and the building owners’ best interests in mind. As for the occupants of a home, quality HVAC installation translates to a safer, more comfortable and energy-efficient living experience- good for them and good for the planet. Building owners miss out if factors other than quality take priority during an HVAC installation. Often, it is simply easier to sign with the contractor offering the lowest price and pay for a quick installation. However, as the saying goes ‘you tend to get what you pay for.’ Shorter equipment lifespan ACCA provides detailed plans and procedures endorsed by the American National Standards Institute Hiring a technician at the lowest price rather than seeking out a contractor that has a good reputation (with proof of providing quality installations) often means a generally poorer outcome. That translates to an HVAC system that provides lower energy efficiency, reduced comfort, less than optimal air quality, and will have a shorter equipment lifespan. Contractors can ensure they are undertaking quality installs by referring to the standards set by the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA). ACCA provides detailed plans and procedures endorsed by the American National Standards Institute. The documents are listed on the ACCA website. ACCA also offers a 6-hour video series on best practices and training for HVAC installation. Annual energy consumption “Contractors should always strive for quality when it comes to HVAC installs,” said Matthew Sallee, Vice President of National Accounts, Motili. “By not following the standards that are recommended by ACCA, contractors can actually increase a building’s annual energy consumption by as much as 30%. And that is definitely something we want to avoid.” Motili is an integrative, HVAC technology platform that offers products and services nationwide. Motili is part of the Daikin Company, the largest HVAC manufacturer in the world, with access to thousands of contractors and distribution centers, providing scalable HVAC solutions to customers. Motili’s technology platform brings HVAC solutions to commercial, multi-family, and single-family property owners. Motili supports projects from 10 units to 10s of thousands of units with its platform.

Integrating technology, data, and a nationwide network of contractors and distribution centers, Motili seeks to transform how HVAC services are delivered. With a focus on sustainability, energy efficiency, and cost savings, Motili helps property owners and contractors achieve their goals while promoting a greener future for the HVAC industry.  motili expansion Motili meets various industry needs, whether a property manager looking for streamlined HVAC solutions or a contractor seeking more jobs.  Motili started in upstate New York as One-HVAC, a marketing call center connecting contractors with homeowners. Born after the housing market crash in 2008, Motili expanded nationwide; in 2015, the headquarters moved to Denver, Colorado.   energy-efficient technologies Motili is equipped to provide high-quality, eco-friendly equipment and services Motili was acquired by Daikin in 2017 and supports some of the largest national accounts with HVAC services across industries such as single-family, commercial, military, and big-box retail. With the growing demand for sustainable, energy-efficient technologies, Motili is equipped to provide high-quality, eco-friendly equipment and services.   Growing HVAC businesses “We help HVAC contractors grow their business and keep their crews active,” says Matthew Sallee, Motili’s VP of National Accounts, and Marketing. “By providing them with sold jobs from our customers, we eliminate the need for bidding and costly marketing or advertising. We even offer job opportunities during the shoulder season to keep crews working year-round.”  advanced technology platform The advanced technology platform enables tracking of HVAC system details such as age, condition, and efficiency. Proactively, Motili can help customers identify potential system failures through preventative maintenance and planned replacement projects across portfolios, thus reducing costly downtime and extending equipment lifespan.   Reactively, the platform assists with unplanned repairs and replacements by dispatching jobs to a network of HVAC contractors, who receive job notifications via a mobile app. They also help customers select the best equipment for their needs, ensuring they get the most energy-efficient, reliable, and cost-effective system possible.  Customer benefits Customers benefit from seamless HVAC solutions, covering everything from unexpected repairs and replacements Motili connects property management customers across the country with a network of contractors who install high-efficiency equipment from Goodman and Daikin, powered by Motili’s technology platform. Customers benefit from seamless HVAC solutions, covering everything from unexpected repairs and replacements to large-scale projects with installations tailored to meet the needs of their entire portfolio.   preventative maintenance “We help manage nationwide portfolios with a focus on preventative maintenance and sustainable products, ensuring consistent comfort for tenants and cost savings for property owners,” says Sallee.  Data is crucial for property owners and managers to make informed decisions about HVAC systems. Motili enables property owners to leverage system data for proactive maintenance and capital planning.  key metrics “By aggregating and analyzing key metrics like system age, efficiency, and performance, we help property owners and managers identify inefficiencies and plan cost-effective solutions,” says Sallee. This allows them to prioritize investments and plan maintenance schedules with confidence, leading to improved system performance, reduced operational costs, and better long-term management of their HVAC assets.  job flexibility Contractors can optimize their schedules, keep their teams active year-round, and expand their business HVAC contractors can grow their business by partnering with Motili, gaining access to sold jobs they would not typically reach. With the mobile app, contractors benefit from a steady stream of jobs, removing the need for bidding and costly marketing efforts. With quick payments and the flexibility to choose jobs, contractors can optimize their schedules, keep their teams active year-round, and expand their business without the inefficiencies of traditional lead generation methods.   HVAC efficiency goals Leveraging technology, Motili seeks to help customers achieve their HVAC efficiency goals while reducing costs. Several key technologies industrywide are advancing the HVAC industry toward net zero: inverter technology, heat pumps, and low-GWP refrigerants. Daikin’s energy-saving inverter technology minimizes energy fluctuations, delivering consistent comfort and lower energy bills. When paired with a modern heat pump, this system provides efficient, year-round comfort using minimal electricity, transferring heat rather than generating it without burning fossil fuels.  R-32 refrigerant Finally, R-32 refrigerant has a low environmental impact. Compared to the refrigerants widely used such as R-22 and R-410A, R-32 has a global warming potential (GWP) that is one-third lower. Together, these innovations create cost-effective, reliable, and energy-efficient systems.

Multiple components work together to make an HVAC system run smoothly and efficiently. One of the newer components in today’s systems is data, whether it is information about historic performance trends or the weather outside. A variety of sensors work together to provide data that can be crunched by various algorithms to provide useful information to system installers and end-users, and to help systems run better and longer. We asked our Expert Panel Roundtable: How can data analytics be used to enhance HVAC solutions?

Seasonal transitions are the perfect time to take inventory and inspect a building’s various systems. We’ve been reminded for years that when we set our clocks back, we should also replace the batteries in our smoke detectors. The same thought process can be applied in support of seasonal preventative maintenance for a building’s HVAC system. Now that the cooling season has passed for a large part of the country, it is time to ensure that HVAC systems have been shut down properly for the winter months. A few simple checks and changes help ensure that the HVAC system is able to transition without failure, from the cooling season to the heating season. Enhancing energy efficiency of HVAC systems Home and building owner inspections can go a long way in increasing the energy efficiency of a system or in mitigating a more complex system failure. Taking a few minutes to inspect an HVAC system for irregularities can help keep repair costs and energy waste to a minimum. Here is a short and easy to complete HVAC inspection check list to execute to help maintain the system and ensure it runs in an energy efficient manner as the outdoor temperature begins to fall. Air filters The change of seasons is the perfect time to change out an HVAC system’s air filter The change of seasons is the perfect time to change out an HVAC system’s air filter. Filters are a key point in a building’s HVAC system, helping keep dust, pollen and larger particulate matter out, and potentially saving it from damage. HVAC equipment accounts for 40 percent of energy usage in a building, so any actions that positively affect energy efficiency are impactful. Not only is changing filters easy to do, but it also provides several benefits, such as improved energy efficiency, cost savings and it helps limit unnecessary stress on the HVAC system, by keeping the air entering it as clean as possible. Dirty, unchanged filters are a leading cause of issues with an HVAC system. The bottom line is that an air filter that has not been changed since the summer needs to be replaced. Inspect the HVAC system Now is a good time to walk around and view the entirety of a building’s HVAC system. How does it look? Make sure the system is clean and in good repair. Examine the ducts to ensure they are clean, undamaged and venting properly. If they are dirty or if there is suspicion that they are clogged, a duct cleaning by a professional may be needed. Remove any leaves or sticks that have gathered around the compressors. Clean the coils of any debris with a garden hose. Trim back any trees or bushes, which are in close contact with the unit. Make sure the condenser unit is still level. If it is not, it can impede the flow of refrigerant and oil, thereby leading to costly repairs. Take a look at the HVAC system to make sure there are no leaks, cracks or structural damage. A quick scan around and cleanup of an HVAC system can help it run longer and more efficiently. Inspect the boiler system Inspect the boiler system by looking for signs of old leaks, which can include stains around the boiler Corrosion is often associated with boiler systems. Inspect the boiler system by looking for signs of old leaks, which can include stains around the boiler or warped floorboards under radiators. Also, be on the lookout for water spots on the ceiling that is below the floor with radiant heat pipes. Make note of any corrosion you find throughout the system, including on the radiators, valves and other components. It’s a smart idea to have a professional inspect a boiler system each year, in order to maintain its functionality and ensure it is running safely, and optimally for a long time. Air Leaks An inspection may also reveal air leaks around doors and windows. These small leaks can add up to significant heat loss and energy costs. If sunlight is peeking through the areas around the perimeter of a window, door or skylight, there’s an air gap to be filled. A quick fix with caulking or weather stripping can ensure optimal energy efficiency. Also, inspect window panes for any cracks, as they will need to be replaced. Furthermore, double check that the windows and doors all close and lock properly. If they don’t, there’s an air leak that needs repair, as well. An inspection of doors and windows can keep a house warmer longer, and help keep the furnace from running over time to maintain a building’s ideal temperature. Shut down AC system for the season At the end of the cooling season, it is recommended that the air conditioning side of the HVAC system be shut off. When doing this, take a few minutes to clean the compressor with a brush and vacuum. Cover the unit with an insulated, waterproof cover that completely covers the whole unit. Secure the cover tightly, so it stays in place over the winter. This simple maintenance can help set up the system for success next year, while also maintaining its energy efficiency. Need for proactive system inspections and maintenance It’s important to evaluate a building’s HVAC system every season, as well as maintain its filters It’s important to evaluate a building’s HVAC system every season, as well as maintain its filters and the environment around the system. Being proactive about systems inspections and maintenance is the best way to keep a system running at peak efficiency, saving money and the environment, as well as providing peace of mind. With a few simple actions, home and building owners can keep their HVAC systems in good shape for longer, and be ready to go for the next season ahead. Motili’s predictive analytics improves budgeting accuracy Motili brings contractors, operations teams and the industry’s most advanced property management technology platform together, to assess and complete HVAC work requests, from start to finish. Motili automatically schedules, dispatches, manages and invoices job requests, and its predictive analytics improves budgeting accuracy, by predicting product life cycle. Motili leverages its nationwide network of over 2,000 contractors and 1,000 distribution centers, in order to provide HVAC and hot water services, across the United States of America, to customers both large and small in size.