AI Is Changing the Way Buildings Predict Energy Use

Real estate technology update

Author

Franco Faraudo
January 07, 2026

Propmodo Technology

By Franco Faraudo · January 7, 2025

Greetings,

Hopefully most of you had a relaxing holiday season. Even as things slowed down for many businesses, Zillow’s legal challenges continued to escalate. Two lawsuits alleging monopolistic practices have now been merged into a class action, and the scope of the case has widened beyond Zillow itself.

Several brokerages have been added to the suit over potential RESPA violations, pulling Zillow’s affiliates into the legal spotlight. Regardless of whether damages are ultimately awarded, the case is likely to make brokerages more cautious about agreeing to certain portal terms. As scrutiny of online real estate platforms intensifies, similar lawsuits—or regulatory action—could reshape what proptech companies and their clients are legally permitted to do.

This week we are talking about the role of AI in improving building energy performance. Instead of relying on historical averages that fail to capture shifting occupancy, volatile weather, and aging systems, AI-driven forecasting models continuously learn from real-time data to anticipate energy demand and costs. Research shows these models are better at understanding the complex relationships that actually drive consumption and can scale across entire portfolios, not just individual buildings.

Let’s go!

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AI and Energy Use

AI Is Changing the Way Buildings Predict Energy Use

New AI energy forecasting research shows how smarter models can predict building energy use with greater accuracy, helping commercial real estate owners manage costs, plan capital, and operate more proactively across portfolios.

propmodo.com/ai-is-changing-the-way-buildings-predict-energy-use

Measarabl's New CEO on Sustainability in Commercial Real Estate Despite Political Headwinds

Despite political pushback, sustainability continues to gain traction in commercial real estate as rising energy costs, stronger valuation data, and institutional capital push the industry forward.

propmodo.com/measarabls-new-ceo-on-sustainability-in-commercial-real-estate-despite-political-headwinds

Bytes

👨‍💻 Big tech, big real estate
Investments by some of the world’s largest companies are starting to remake the American real estate landscape.

🦾 AI is my agent
An AI-led home buying platform has closed its first sale, showing that AI could actually be a threat to real estate brokers.

📏 State standards
The state of Washington has released its own “Clean Building Performance Standard” to help real estate owners comply with new efficiency laws.

Live Webinar

Thursday, January 8th | 10 AM ET
Inside the 2026 Outlook for Multifamily Management and Performance

A webinar examining 2026 multifamily operations, from rent and expense pressures to technology, staffing, and capital strategy, highlighting performance gaps and metrics owners must master.

https://propmodo.com/inside-the-2026-outlook-for-multifamily-management-and-performance/

Overheard

More Propmodo Technology

The Inconvenient Truth About Building Automation Systems

Rising electricity costs are exposing a hidden problem in automated buildings: system drift. Why retro-commissioning BAS is critical to protecting energy savings and long-term performance.

phttps://propmodo.com/the-inconvenient-truth-about-building-automation-systems/

The Next Housing Search War Is About AI Not Listings

Google’s new real estate ad tests highlight growing pressure on Zillow and signal a larger shift in how homes may be discovered as AI reshapes search, traffic, and consumer intent.

https://propmodo.com/the-next-housing-search-war-is-about-ai-not-listings/

Why the Facade Often Decides the Fate of Office-to-Residential Conversions

Office-to-residential conversions often succeed or fail based on the facade. Updating windows, cladding, and mechanical integration determines performance, cost, and timeline for bringing new residential units to market.

https://propmodo.com/why-the-facade-often-decides-the-fate-of-office-to-residential-conversions/

Why Rental Screening Must Evolve in the Age of AI

AI is reshaping rental fraud, enabling smarter scams and stronger defenses through layered screening, verified data, and standardized digital processes.

https://propmodo.com/why-rental-screening-must-evolve-in-the-age-of-ai/

The Real Bottleneck in America’s AI Boom Isn’t Chips, It’s Power

AI’s fastest growth is shifting to the power-rich South, straining grids and sparking utility lawsuits as massive GPU clusters reshape America’s data center geography.

https://propmodo.com/the-real-bottleneck-in-americas-ai-boom-isnt-chips-its-power/

Propmodo Technology is edited by Franco Faraudo with contributions from readers like you and the Propmodo team.

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