Deutsche Telekom and smart buildings firm Metr are digitalising more than 120 heating systems in multifamily residences owned by Stadtsiedlung Heilbronn in Germany.

Metr’s manufacturer-independent IoT offering enables remote monitoring and fully automatic optimisation of the systems. Operating data are securely transmitted to the Metr platform via Deutsche Telekom’s mobile connectivity, reducing energy consumption and CO₂ emissions.

Tenants of Stadtsiedlung Heilbronn benefit from lower heating costs, and operating processes become more efficient.

According to Heizspiegel analysis, 90 per cent of households in Germany can save on heating costs. Potential savings amount up to €21bn and 46 million tons of CO₂ annually. This accounts for more than a third of emissions in the building sector.

The project at Stadtsiedlung Heilbronn covers multifamily residences built between 1921 and 2018, featuring various heating systems from different manufacturers. These include primarily gas systems, as well as systems that use heat from combined heat and power plants and heat pumps. Older systems are retrofitted, while modern systems have the heating controller connected directly. The offerings will be ready for use in time for the 2025-26 heating season.

“Together with Deutsche Telekom, we are actively advancing the digitalisation and decarbonisation of the building sector,” said Franka Birke, CEO of Berlin-based Metr (metr.systems). “Many heating systems consume excessive energy, often due to improper operating settings or faulty outside temperature sensors. Our digital solutions provide transparency and enhance the efficiency of existing, often very heterogeneous heating systems. In this way, we help our customers reduce energy consumption and CO₂ emissions, without the need for costly energy-efficient renovations.”

Metr’s remote monitoring uses IoT to oversee heating systems. It provides transparency regarding the operating status of the systems and detects faults and incorrect settings early on. Sensors collect relevant data, such as temperature and energy consumption. An IoT gateway securely transmits the operating data to the Metr platform, acting as an interface between sensors and the cloud, equipped with SIM cards from Deutsche Telekom. The Metr platform is hosted on the secure Open Telekom Cloud in Germany.

On the Metr platform, a machine-learning algorithm analyses the data in real time. The automatic heating optimisation also considers weather forecasts and other external factors. It increases efficiency and saves up to 20 per cent in energy consumption. A central dashboard allows operators to monitor and optimise the systems based on data, with fault notifications sent via email. The system promotes resource-saving operation and maintenance of the heating systems, extends their service life, and contributes to maintaining the value of the building.

“The digitisation of our heating systems is a crucial step towards greater sustainability through efficiency,” said Dominik Buchta, managing director of Stadtsiedlung Heilbronn. “The technology enables optimally controlled operation and maintenance of our systems, reducing malfunctions and helping to prevent CO₂ emissions. In the long term, our tenants will benefit from lower consumption and a more environmentally friendly living environment.”

Benjamin Bastians, chief commercial officer of Deutsche Telekom IoT (iot.telekom.com), added: “Efficient energy use starts with transparency. With our reliable connectivity and IoT technology, we transform buildings into smart buildings that can be intelligently managed and monitored. In this way, we actively support the real-estate industry on its path to a sustainable and climate-friendly future.”

The digitisation project of Stadtsiedlung Heilbronn (stadtsiedlung.de) was funded by Germany’s Federal Grant Programme for Efficient Buildings. Deutsche Telekom assists companies, municipalities, and schools in using subsidies for digitisation, energy efficiency and renewable energy. The offer ranges from advising on suitable programmes to submitting applications with the help of the network of experts.