Frankfurt’s GSW Upgrades Apartments with Smart Tech for Energy Savings
Gemeinnützige Siedlungswerk GmbH (GSW), a Frankfurt-based housing company, is upgrading its properties with digital technology and sustainable renovations. The changes form part of its 'Strategy 2.0' plan, which focuses on cutting energy use, lowering CO₂ emissions, and keeping rents affordable for the long term.
The company manages around 9,000 mostly affordable homes across Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Thuringia, with average rents below €8 per square metre.
GSW has begun installing digital heating and control systems in four residential buildings. Around 150 apartments will receive smart thermostats designed to improve energy efficiency. Data from these systems will help the company assess renovation needs and guide future investments in its housing stock.
The 'Strategy 2.0' framework was shaped with input from roughly 120 employees, ensuring staff involvement in its early rollout. Beyond digital upgrades, the company’s business activities include managing its own property portfolio, new construction, and projects for third parties—all aligned with the strategy’s climate and affordability goals.
GSW’s approach aims to balance sustainability with cost control. By modernising buildings and using data-driven planning, the company seeks to maintain affordable rents while reducing environmental impact across its regional operations.
The digital heating upgrades mark the first step in GSW’s broader plan to modernise its housing stock. Consumption data from the new systems will directly inform renovation decisions and investment priorities. The strategy’s success will depend on balancing energy savings, emissions cuts, and keeping rents within reach for tenants.
