With energy costs on the rise, sustainability is about more than just ‘doing the right thing’. It’s about future-proofing both your property portfolio and your business. Of course, there are many sustainability strategies available to property managers, but none has a more immediate impact on a property’s operational overhead costs than installing smart thermostats.
Admittedly, there are upfront costs to upgrading a property’s HVAC systems, but those costs are more than offset by the cost-savings they produce. Indeed, smart thermostats systems deliver rapid ROI to property owners, offering the fastest payback period of any energy upgrade (as low as 12-18 months), and ultimately increasing property resale value.
Of course, not all smart thermostats are created equal. While consumer-grade options (such as those offered by Nest and Ecobee) are fine for single-family homes, commercial properties require purpose-built systems. These systems can manage energy at scale, provide centralized control and visibility, and handle multi-room occupancy. So choosing the right smart thermostat for your property requires an understanding of your property’s occupancy patterns and energy needs.
1. Reduce HVAC Runtime Without Sacrificing Comfort
Heating and cooling are among the largest operating expenses for most commercial properties (accounting 40-50% of total energy costs), and a major source of energy waste. Verdant’s smart thermostats (including our VX, VX4, and ZX models) address both challenges by automatically adjusting temperatures based on real-time occupancy data, seasonal patterns, and property-specific energy profiles. The result is a reduction in HVAC runtime of up to 45%, directly lowering utility costs without requiring constant manual oversight.
Features like Dynamic Recovery ensure that comfort isn’t sacrificed in pursuit of savings. By preconditioning spaces before occupants return, smart thermostats maintain optimal temperatures while still operating at reduced runtimes. Similarly, Night Occupancy Mode uses motion and heat detection to fine-tune temperature settings during off-hours, ensuring energy is only used when truly needed.
This combination of intelligent automation and occupant comfort control delivers a rare win-win for property managers: significant cost reductions alongside improved tenant satisfaction. Whether in a hotel room, student residence, or multifamily unit, these systems quietly optimize performance in the background, allowing operators to meet sustainability targets while upholding guest and resident experience.
2. Eliminate Energy Waste in Unoccupied Spaces
Even the most efficient HVAC system becomes wasteful when running to hear or cool \ empty rooms. Smart thermostats paired with occupancy sensors solve this problem by detecting real-time usage and automatically adjusting heating and cooling when spaces are vacant. This prevents unnecessary energy consumption in both private units and shared common areas, turning what was once unavoidable waste into measurable savings.
In student housing, senior residences, and hotels, the energy costs of heating/cooling empty unoccupied rooms is particularly challenging. These properties often experience unpredictable occupancy patterns, with guests checking out early, residents leaving for the day, or common areas being used only sporadically. Occupancy sensors ensure HVAC systems respond dynamically, reducing energy draw during idle periods without requiring staff intervention.
By targeting energy waste at its source, this technology not only lowers operating costs but also extends the life of HVAC equipment. Less runtime means less wear-and-tear, fewer maintenance issues, and a more consistent HVAC performance across the entire property, all while keeping comfort levels exactly where they should be when rooms are in use.
3. Respond to Real-Time Conditions with Adaptive Setbacks
Energy demand isn’t static—it changes with the time of day, the season, and even shifts in room heat loads throughout the year. Smart thermostats with adaptive setbacks automatically adjust temperature settings within defined ranges to optimize energy savings, without requiring manual input from staff or residents. This ensures HVAC systems run only as much as needed, based on occupancy and operational priorities.
Smart setback features allow property managers to define temperature ranges that balance comfort with savings, adapting to occupancy patterns and operational priorities. For example, settings can be tightened during off-peak hours or widened during periods of low demand, reducing runtime without affecting comfort during high-demand periods.
When applied across an entire property or portfolio, adaptive setbacks create a tailored energy profile for each space. This precision control supports sustainability goals and maximizes efficiency during peak usage periods. It also helps operators avoid unnecessary costs while maintaining consistent comfort standards year-round.
4. Enable Centralized Control Across Your Entire Portfolio
Managing HVAC performance across multiple units or multiple properties can be a logistical challenge. Verdant’s Thermostat Manager solves this by giving property managers centralized control from a single, easy-to-use dashboard. This platform provides complete visibility into system performance, enabling quick adjustments that keep operations efficient and consistent across multiple properties.
- Remote Settings management, operators can activate vacant mode, adjust temperature ranges, or shut down systems entirely without being onsite.
- Bulk Updates make it simple to apply energy policy changes to hundreds of units at once.
- Real-Time Monitoring ensures any inefficiencies are identified and corrected before they impact costs.
This level of centralized control significantly reduces the complexity of managing diverse HVAC systems and occupancy patterns across multiple properties. And it empowers property teams to enforce energy policies consistently, avoid unnecessary runtime, and maintain comfort standards — all while freeing up staff time for other operational priorities.
5. Minimize Maintenance Costs Through Predictive Monitoring
Unexpected HVAC failures are costly. In addition to repair costs, they also result in downtime and occupant discomfort. Smart thermostats with predictive monitoring capabilities help prevent these disruptions by tracking what’s happening in the room and detecting changes in equipment performance that may indicate an emerging issue.
Early detection means issues can be addressed before they escalate into full system failures. By flagging problems such as clogged filters, calibration issues, or irregular runtimes, predictive monitoring reduces the likelihood of costly emergency repairs. Addressing smaller issues promptly keeps HVAC systems operating at peak efficiency and minimizes unnecessary energy waste.
Furthermore, this proactive approach extends the lifespan of any HVAC assets, ensuring a better return on capital investments. It also allows property managers to plan maintenance schedules more effectively, avoiding reactive, high-cost repairs. This helps maintain a consistent standard of comfort for tenants and guests.
6. Improve Indoor Air Quality While Managing Energy Use
Healthy indoor air quality is essential for guest/tenant satisfaction, staff well-being, and overall property appeal. Verdant’s smart thermostats can help improve air quality by controlling outside air ventilation and exhaust when it’s truly needed, based on occupancy.
This targeted approach ensures that air quality interventions are timely and effective without running HVAC or purification systems unnecessarily. By activating these systems on demand, property managers can maintain healthier indoor environments while avoiding the energy waste associated with continuous operation.
The result is a balance between occupant health and operational efficiency. Properties can promote cleaner, fresher air as part of their sustainability strategy, while still keeping utility costs under control and HVAC systems operating within optimal runtime parameters.
7. Support Sustainability Goals for Both Tenant- and Owner-Paid Utilities
Smart thermostats deliver measurable value whether utilities are paid by the tenant or the property owner. For tenants, lower monthly bills and self-managed comfort make units more attractive and help drive lease renewals. The ability to personalize temperature settings while still benefiting from built-in efficiency measures creates a win-win for residents and property managers alike.
For owner-paid utilities, the impact is even more direct. Reduced HVAC runtime translates into lower overhead costs, improved Net Operating Income (NOI), and greater asset value over time. And centralized control and automation ensure these savings are consistent across the property, regardless of occupancy patterns.
By delivering benefits in both scenarios, smart thermostats make sustainability an operational advantage. They support energy efficiency targets while strengthening a property’s marketability. This helps owners meet financial objectives without compromising the resident experience.
8. Fast Payback and Long-Term Value
For many property managers, the question isn’t whether energy upgrades will pay off, but how quickly that pay off will come. Verdant’s smart thermostat systems typically deliver a full return on investment within 12–18 months. This short payback period makes them one of the most financially accessible sustainability upgrades available.
Beyond the initial ROI, the benefits compound over time. Lower utility bills, extended HVAC lifespan, and reduced maintenance costs all contribute to ongoing savings year after year. Additionally, properties may qualify for utility rebates or other financial incentives, further improving the overall return.
These long-term gains extend beyond operational savings. Increased property value, stronger tenant retention, and improved market positioning all make smart thermostats a strategic investment. Once you install them, smart thermostats continue to deliver measurable value well beyond their initial payback period.
Ready to See the Results for Yourself?
Book a web demo with Verdant and discover how our energy management system can help you achieve your sustainability goals while cutting HVAC runtime by up to 45%. From rapid ROI to long-term operational savings, our smart thermostats are designed to deliver measurable results without compromising occupant comfort.
See firsthand how easy it is to integrate Verdant’s plug-and-play solution into your property, streamline energy management, and unlock lasting value for your portfolio. Schedule your demo today and start turning energy waste into energy savings.