Wattblock

Wattblock operates as a specialized consultancy focused on enhancing energy sustainability for residential and commercial strata buildings in Australia. The company was founded in 2014 by Brent Clark and Ross McIntyre, emerging from the Telstra-backed muru-D startup accelerator program. The founders' backgrounds are central to the firm's mission; Brent Clark, the CEO, previously spearheaded a successful 77% reduction in common area energy costs in his own apartment building, while Ross McIntyre brought a strong foundation in business intelligence and data analysis from his time at First Data and Westpac Bank.

The firm's business model is centered on a fee-for-advice service, providing independent analysis and recommendations to strata committees, strata managers, and local councils. This approach ensures unbiased guidance as Wattblock does not accept commissions from product suppliers or installers. Revenue is generated through consultancy fees for a suite of services that address the entire lifecycle of a building's sustainability journey. The company targets the extensive market of Australia's multi-tenant buildings, having already assisted schemes housing over 100,000 residents. Wattblock also collaborates extensively with local councils on sustainability programs, such as North Sydney Council's Futureproofing Apartments and the City of Sydney's Green Building Grants.

Wattblock's core service involves using data analytics to produce detailed reports that identify energy waste and outline a path towards electrification and efficiency. These reports cover solar and battery feasibility studies, electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure plans, and strategies for improving the efficiency of lighting, hot water systems, and ventilation. A key offering is the 'Electrify Strata' project, which maps the sustainability progress of tens of thousands of strata buildings, providing valuable data for the sector. The company also facilitates the tender process for implementing these upgrades and provides educational resources, including online training courses and over 100 informational videos. This comprehensive service aims to simplify complex decisions for strata committees, reduce energy costs for residents, and ultimately enhance property valuations.

Keywords: strata sustainability, energy efficiency consulting, apartment building electrification, solar for strata, EV charging solutions, strata energy reports, common area energy reduction, building decarbonisation, renewable energy feasibility, Australian strata market, smart building analytics, energy cost savings, property sustainability upgrades, hot water heat pumps, NABERS for apartments, green building grants, strata committee advice, energy data analytics, solar tender management, EV charging infrastructure planning, sustainable building retrofits