Parity powers high-quality energy optimization plans with Deck

Proof over promises: Parity powers high-quality energy optimization plans with Deck

Collecting utility data across hundreds of buildings, multiple providers, and inconsistent billing systems can be a major operational bottleneck. When Parity set out to upgrade its data connectivity layer, it applied the same rigor it demands from its own optimization models — and Deck passed every proof point.

Key metrics

• 24–48h turnaround: Typical speed for new connection setup
  
  
• 5 proof points: Evaluated to confirm Deck’s fit
  
  
• 0 false starts: Parity canceled prior contracts; Deck passed every test
  
  

Parity is an HVAC  Optimization as a Service company helping multifamily buildings and hotels reduce utility costs and energy consumption across North America.

For Parity, utility data bookends the customer relationship: it’s what informs the business case at the start and what proves value delivered once they’ve installed their software.

By running a structured proof-of-concept process with Deck, Parity found not only a reliable data connectivity provider but also a true partner. The result: faster access to trustworthy data, reduced engineering burden, and a clear path toward launching the reporting dashboard their customers truly need.

The goal

Parity’s product combines 3rd party hardware and its software to cut energy use across large building portfolios. Its team needs accurate, continuous utility data to power two critical moments:

• At the start of engagement: To analyze consumption patterns and build a precise business case for each building.
  
  
• After deployment: To prove savings and validate performance over multi-year contracts.

Historically, collecting that data was slow and error-prone — a mix of phone calls, manual uploads, and inconsistent billing structures across regions.

Ben Ryan, Parity’s Director of Product, had a clear goal in mind: have customers connect once and never think about it again. Given Ben’s partnership mindset, going with a third-party provider was a no-brainer:

“The best software you can build is the software you can buy.”

Parity had already tried to automate with another data connectivity provider — but the product never delivered the lift they needed. Data mapping was inconsistent, accounts that had been deleted would reappear, and there was no way to manage large, multi-account portfolios cleanly.

Beyond technical issues, the partnership itself felt rigid. Requests for essential functionality were often met with “that’s not on our roadmap,” and support was slow and fragmented.

When you’re running a scale-up, every hour spent troubleshooting a supplier’s product is time taken from fast innovation. Determined to get it right, Parity built a clear evaluation framework before committing to a new partner.

Data connectivity as it should be

The product team tested Deck against five key proof points — each critical to building a scalable utility data pipeline.

1. Data accuracy and reliability
Deck’s parsing was consistent across providers and account types, restoring the team’s trust in their data.

“It wasn’t even a conversation — Deck said, ‘of course we can,’ and within hours, we had a thousand bills connected.”

2. Multi-account and portfolio management
Deck’s system easily handled accounts with dozens or hundreds of sub-connections — a known pain point for large building portfolios.

“I don’t want to take on a hundred connections and have to delete ninety-nine. Deck lets me define exactly which accounts I need.”

3. Support responsiveness
The difference was immediate: fast, human, and knowledgeable communication.

“The support team is really kind and fast, helpful and responsive. We can talk to them, ask questions, and they turn things around really quick.”

4. Flexibility and collaboration
Deck adapted quickly to Parity’s feedback, adjusting configurations and adding missing data fields in days.

“We want a partner we can work with — Deck has been flexible and open from day one.”

5. Speed to value
New connections were delivered within 24–48 hours — faster than the team could even deploy them.

“Other providers took a week or more. Deck’s turnaround times were faster than we needed.”

Solution

Deck’s platform now powers both ends of Parity’s customer lifecycle:

• Pre-sale data collection: Reliable bill fetching gives Parity’s sales and engineering teams the insights to quote confidently and win faster.
  
  
• Ongoing reporting: Monthly utility data flows directly into Parity’s analytics systems, enabling accurate, automated savings verification.

For Parity, Deck became more than a tool — it became part of their go-to-market strategy. The company is now finalizing its new utility service layer, which will feed a client-facing reporting dashboard powered by data from Deck.

“We didn’t have a utility service before because we didn’t have a way to get data. Now we’re building one from scratch, and Deck is the data acquisition layer that makes it possible.”

Results

Speed and reliability unlocked

What once took days of manual outreach now takes hours.
Deck’s fast integrations and stable connections freed Parity’s engineers to focus on innovation instead of maintenance.

Trust through partnership

Parity’s proof-of-concept validated more than technology — it confirmed a shared mindset.

“Having confidence in the people gave me more confidence in the software.”

Momentum toward scale

With connectivity secured, Parity is preparing to launch its customer-facing reporting product — turning once-fragmented billing data into actionable energy insights.

3 Takeaways for evaluating a data connectivity provider

1. Define measurable proof points. Know what “working” means before you test.
   
   
2. Test both tech and team. Responsiveness and transparency are as critical as code quality.
   
   
3. Look for partnership, not promises. The right provider grows with you and your roadmap.

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