Smart Metering Upgrade in Action: Modernizing a Residential Building in Tallinn, Estonia
As energy efficiency and data-driven property management become the norm across Europe, upgrading to smart metering systems is no longer a luxury — it’s a necessity. One of our recent projects in Tallinn, Estonia showcases how even an older residential building can be transformed into a modern, efficient, and transparent infrastructure through a carefully implemented smart metering solution.
From Manual to Smart: The Challenge
Like many residential complexes built decades ago, the building in question relied on outdated mechanical water meters. These meters required manual readings, which resulted in several operational challenges:
- Delayed billing cycles
- Human errors in data collection
- Lack of transparency for residents and building managers
- Frequent disputes over water consumption and cost distribution
In today’s environment, where both tenants and administrators demand real-time insights and fair billing, these legacy systems had become a serious obstacle.
The Solution: LoRaWAN Smart Metering Deployment
To modernize the infrastructure and bring it up to smart metering standards, our team implemented a comprehensive solution involving LoRaWAN-based water meters and real-time data integration.
What We Deployed:
- 519 Zenner Minomess LoRa water meters – compact, reliable devices designed for wireless communication and long battery life.
- 1 Milesight UG67 LoRaWAN gateway – a powerful gateway capable of covering large building complexes, ensuring uninterrupted data transmission.
- Integration with ElementIoT – a cloud-based platform that allows real-time tracking of water consumption data, remote diagnostics, and detailed analytics.
This combination of hardware and software created a fully remote metering ecosystem with minimal need for on-site maintenance or manual interaction.
Key Benefits: Efficiency, Transparency, and Cost Reduction
After the upgrade, the property management team and residents immediately began to experience the advantages of the new system.
✅ Operational Cost Savings up to 30%
By eliminating manual reading processes and associated labor costs, the building’s operational expenses were significantly reduced. Additionally, automated data collection minimized billing errors, which previously led to administrative burdens and resident complaints.
✅ Real-Time, Accurate Data
With real-time access to consumption data, property managers can now monitor trends, detect anomalies such as leaks, and improve resource planning. Residents also have better visibility into their individual usage, fostering more responsible water consumption behavior.
✅ Scalable and Future-Ready
This project didn’t just solve today’s issues — it laid the groundwork for future IoT integration, such as heating meters, leak sensors, and automated billing platforms. The LoRaWAN network provides an open, scalable infrastructure, ready for the next stage of smart building evolution.
✅ Improved Resident Satisfaction
With fewer billing disputes and clearer communication, resident satisfaction improved. The transparency offered by the new system builds trust between property managers and occupants, turning what used to be a point of frustration into a value-added service.
Why This Matters for Existing Buildings
One of the most common misconceptions about smart metering is that it's difficult or too expensive to implement in older buildings. This project proves the opposite.
Through careful planning and use of wireless technology, we avoided costly construction or cabling work. The entire installation process was efficient and caused minimal disruption to residents.
Conclusion: A Model for Modernization
The Tallinn case demonstrates that smart metering retrofits are not only feasible but also highly beneficial, even for older multi-apartment buildings. By switching from mechanical meters to a LoRaWAN-enabled remote metering solution, we delivered measurable savings, increased data transparency, and significantly improved the overall utility management process.
If you're a property manager or building owner still relying on manual readings or legacy systems, now is the time to act. The tools are available, the technology is proven, and the benefits are undeniable.
Ready for smarter building management?
Get in touch with us today and receive:
- A personalized offer tailored to your needs
- A technical assessment to ensure the best fit
- A detailed demonstration of the solution in action.