Eliminating Guesswork Secures Multifamily Operator 25-30% Lower Energy Spend
Lower rates vs. previous rates through hybrid pricing with strategically timed hedges
Of index contracts hedged against volatility with all eligible contracts moved to hybrid or fixed positions
Properties centralized on one Platform, ABEL™
How a New York-based Multifamily operator took control of energy spend through a hedged 50/50 strategy and gained a centralized view across 90 properties.
The Challenge
With 90 properties spread across 12 deregulated markets, this New York-based Multifamily operator’s energy portfolio had two problems compounding each other: exposure and administration. Buying was reactive with their previous broker recommending fixed products close to contract renewal. This meant taking whatever rate the market happened to offer at expiration and never knowing whether they were actually saving money. Meanwhile, parts of the portfolio had drifted the other way: a number of contracts sat index-only, and several properties were out of contract entirely, fully floating with exposure to market volatility that led to budget swings.
The administrative side was just as challenging. Supplier invoices were routed to the wrong office. One supplier consolidated multiple properties onto a single bill, making property-level costs impossible to separate. Bills were confusing to read and there was no centralized system for tracking contracts, renewal dates, or usage forms, some of which had expired. Past-due balances put properties at risk of service drops, and persistent meter reading problems made even the numbers they had unreliable. Managing it all felt hopeless.
“Between invoices routed to the wrong office, bills we couldn't read, and no way to track 90 contracts in one place, managing our own energy portfolio felt hopeless.”
— Director of Procurement, New York-based Multifamily Operator
How Energy CX helped
Operational Relief: Energy CX investigated the incorrect bill routing and fixed invoice delivery going forward, resolved the combined-invoice issue so each property was billed separately and clarified why billing structures were changing. When past-due balances threatened service, Energy CX’s team negotiated payment plans, extended deadlines and confirmed payment cadence so no property lost service.
Visibility: Energy CX onboarded the team to their proprietary Platform, ABEL™, giving them one place to see contracts, renewal dates and performance across the portfolio.
Strategy: Rather than defaulting to fixed rates at expiration, Energy CX applied its math-based trading methodology to recommend hybrid pricing with strategically timed hedges for gas and electric to capture market opportunities. Renewals stopped occurring on a calendar. Hedging became strategic so the customer could take advantage of market opportunities. For each one, Energy CX compiled the full picture in advance so internal approvals could move quickly enough to act when the market gave them an opening.
The Outcome
The hybrid pricing structure with strategically timed hedges meant this multifamily operator saved 25-30% compared to their previous strategy. Energy CX continues to monitor the market for savings opportunities across the portfolio.
On the administrative side, operational burden was relieved. Energy CX helped recover missing supplier bills, negotiated a payment plan on a past-due account, scheduled utility meter service appointments and restructured billing to prevent future problems.
“ECX gave us visibility we never had and a strategy we never thought to ask for.”
— Director of Procurement, New York-based Multifamily Operator
Why This Story Matters for Multifamily Customers
Multifamily portfolios often swing between two extremes: all-in fixed rates, which often feel safe but leave money on the table, or unhedged index exposure, which is risky and unpredictable. A centralized platform combined with math-based hedging replaces those challenges with a structured strategy that protects the budget while capturing market opportunities. Energy CX manages the complexity so operators get clarity and savings without the guesswork.
"Our job isn't just to manage contracts, it's to make sure residents never see a service drop or a bill they can't explain. Energy CX gave us the visibility and strategy we never thought to ask for, and fixed the invoicing issues that put properties at risk. That's the kind of partnership we can actually trust."
Director of Procurement
New York-based Multifamily Operator
INDUSTRY
Multifamily
FOOTPRINT
90 Locations
ENERGY SPEND
~$15,000,000
PREVIOUS
Working with another broker
STATUS
Active Energy CX customer