Case Study: 1,379 Smart Thermostats Installed to Improve Energy Efficiency in Student Housing

Client

A PBSA provider aimed to cut energy waste and enhance operational efficiency. The two-building site needed precise, room-by-room temperature control to better align energy usage with occupancy and tenant comfort—without disrupting residents or requiring major renovations.

Challenges

The facility faced energy inefficiencies due to unregulated radiator heating. Heating was wasted in unoccupied rooms, and a lack of granular control hindered energy performance and sustainability targets. The goal was to implement a smart, retrofit-friendly solution that optimized heating schedules, responded to real-time occupancy, and reduced utility costs.

Solution

In March 2024, 1,379 LoRaWAN® Smart Radiator Thermostats were deployed across the buildings. Installed in each room, these thermostats enabled remote temperature management tailored to occupancy and comfort needs. Integrated with an ESG platform, the system applied intelligent heating schedules, capping maximum room temperatures at 23°C with automatic setbacks after 24 and 36 hours of inactivity.

Results

In one building, the number of overheated rooms dropped from 12% to just 3%, and in the second, from 61% to 33%—a 75% and 46% reduction respectively. This not only reduced energy waste but also stabilized indoor temperatures and improved resident comfort. The open protocol nature of the devices ensured no vendor lock-in, and the installation was seamless thanks to 99% compatibility with standard radiators.

Key Takeaways