New SEC rules require large publicly traded companies, including REITs and property managers, to disclose their Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions. The energy consumed by tenant appliances constitutes a massive portion of these downstream emissions, requiring accurate data tracking.
The Scope 3 Reporting Challenge
Scope 3 emissions include all indirect emissions that occur in the value chain of a reporting company. For multifamily property operators, the electricity and gas consumed by the refrigerators, HVACs, and water heaters installed in their units are a primary component.
Estimating vs. Measuring
Previously, operators relied on rough estimates based on square footage. The new SEC rules demand higher fidelity data. Operators must now track the make, model, and energy-efficiency rating of their entire appliance portfolio to calculate accurate emission factors.
The ApplianceIQ Data Layer
Using model-level verification APIs, property managers can convert a list of installed models into precise kWh and therms usage estimates, ensuring compliance with SEC audit standards without installing individual sub-meters in every unit.
Refrigerant Leakage (F-Gases)
Beyond energy consumption, the reporting must also account for fugitive emissions—the leakage of high-GWP refrigerants (like R-410A) from HVAC systems and refrigerators during their operational life and disposal.