Changing the way we live – and build our homes and lives – is no mean feat. That is precisely what iUnit sets out to do. It is a visionary real estate development/tech start-up spearheading a revolution in sustainable housing. Founded by Brice Leconte, iUnit is a trailblazer in merging cutting-edge technology with sustainable building practices to build what they ambitiously describe as the ‘electric car of housing.
“A manifesto for the future of sustainable living.”
“We are building sustainable communities, where cutting-edge technology intersects with sustainable building practices,” says Brice Leconte. This forward-thinking ideology translates into iUnit’s ambitious mission: creating attainable, sustainable communities that stand at the forefront of the smart grid revolution.
By harnessing smart technologies, iUnit’s residential solutions aim not only to alleviate the utility grid load but also to decentralize the energy grid. These communities aspire to be NetZero, and even NetPositive, pioneers in an era where buildings generate power and feed it back into the grid.
From the ground up, iUnit developments integrate energy-efficient mechanics such as heat pump HVAC, water heaters, solar production, and battery storage into their design. The result is an internal microgrid designed to efficiently manage and distribute power generated within the community. But it doesn’t end there. iUnit’s vision takes the sustainable model further.
“Generating Power,” states Leconte. His vision sees iUnit playing a crucial role in the new SmartGrid, creating communities that operate as MicroGrids, with the capacity to generate and store their own energy. “Building MicroGrids” – it’s not just a phrase; it’s a manifesto for the future of sustainable living.
An interesting side effect of this model is the incredible energy efficiency it promotes. “A majority of the power generated from Washington’s power plants never gets used. The state has a dated energy grid that is essentially designed and sized for about a 100-hour yearly peak,” Leconte points out. iUnit’s MicroGrid-ready buildings aim to change that.
Innovation is nothing without practical application, and here is where iUnit excels. Their solution is a range of modular units, from urban studios to suburban cottages. Current projects include a five-story affordable housing community in Loudoun County and a cottage community in Shenandoah and Jefferson County. These developments are built with factory precision, minimizing waste and promoting optimal conditions for materials, creating higher efficiency and a more sustainable process.
Partnering with the Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Lab, iUnit ensures their energy-efficient initiatives are not only bold but scientifically sound. For seven years, one of iUnit’s modular units has resided at the NREL campus, undergoing countless tests to optimize its energy efficiency.
However, iUnit knows that the battle for sustainable living is not fought by technology alone. It requires a team approach, where the residents play an active role. “Help make our SmartUnits NetZero,” Leconte urges.
He emphasizes the need to educate residents about their energy consumption and provide the right incentives. “We can do a good job building an energy-efficient building, but without resident engagement and help, the results will always be limited,” he shares.
Through innovation, collaboration, and a steadfast commitment to a sustainable future, iUnit is driving change in Washington – and beyond. In the hands of trailblazers like iUnit, the future of housing looks not only sustainable but also innovative and attainable. “That is the goal of this company, to solve this problem and build a solution that will create MicroGrid-ready buildings,” says Leconte. As we chart the course of innovation in Washington, iUnit stands out as a beacon of a sustainable future.
iUnit is a true pioneer on the frontier of smart, sustainable living. Brice Leconte and iUnit are innovators, game-changers, and forward thinkers daring to redefine the boundaries and reshape the future.
