With energy prices expected to keep increasing through 2026, rising energy costs are one of the main factors driving inflation — and not just one of the many results of it. After all, from keeping the light on to powering the entire supply chain, energy costs are an overhead expenditure that no business can avoid entirely.
For property managers, however, just because energy is an unavoidable overhead cost, that doesn’t mean that it’s an unmanageable one. Specifically, by retrofitting their properties with a number of energy management upgrades, property managers can not only reduce their energy costs, but future-proof both their portfolio and their business.
And of all the energy management upgrades that are available to property managers, none have a more immediate impact on a property’s operational overhead costs than installing smart thermostats. After all, smart thermostats deliver rapid ROI, offer the fastest payback period of any energy upgrade (as low as 12-18 months), and even increase property resale value.
Why Retrofitting Makes Sense
Full HVAC replacements are expensive, time-consuming, and often unnecessary. Retrofitting with smart thermostats avoids those costly overhauls while still delivering measurable improvements in energy performance. Verdant smart thermostats are designed to be compatible with most existing HVAC systems with most existing HVAC systems, and can typically be installed by onsite staff in just minutes per unit.
This makes retrofitting not just practical, but scalable, especially for operators managing multiple buildings across a vast portfolio. With little to no disruption to daily operations, property managers can deploy smart thermostats across an entire portfolio and begin reducing energy consumption almost immediately. And because installation is quick, properties see faster payback timelines and a shorter path to portfolio-wide efficiency gains.
Of course, not all smart thermostats are built for this kind of retrofit. Consumer-grade models (like Nest and Ecobee) might work in single-family homes, but they’re not designed to manage commercial energy loads over multiple units or occupancy zones. Alternatively, retrofitting a commercial property means successfully implementing a commercial-grade solution that offers centralized control, real-time occupancy response, and robust system integration — all tailored to the unique energy profile of each of your properties.
How Verdant Smart Thermostats Cut Costs
Verdant’s smart thermostats are engineered to do more than just regulate temperature. They also actively reduce energy waste across every unit, zone, and property in your portfolio.
By integrating real-time occupancy detection with intelligent scheduling, they ensure HVAC systems only run when and where they’re needed. The result is smarter, leaner climate-control that aligns with actual usage, not guesswork, assumptions, or historical occupancy patterns.
Occupancy-based controls use built-in sensors to detect when a room is occupied or empty, automatically optimizing HVAC output during those periods. At the same time, programmable settings allow managers to align heating and cooling schedules with expected occupancy patterns — such as office hours, check-in times, or school schedules.
Together, these capabilities eliminate unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining consistent indoor comfort.
With remote and centralized access, property managers can oversee climate settings across all buildings from a central dashboard — adjusting parameters, responding to alerts, and identifying runtime inefficiencies. This level of centralized control, paired with Verdant’s adaptive technology, reduces HVAC runtimes by up to 45%.
Retrofit Incentives & Rebates
Beyond the day-to-day energy savings, retrofitting your property with smart thermostats can also unlock valuable rebates from utility providers and government programs. These financial incentives are designed to encourage energy efficiency upgrades and can significantly reduce upfront project costs. In many cases, moreover, they also accelerate the return on investment by shortening the payback period.
Verdant helps property managers navigate these rebate opportunities from start to finish. Our team assists with identifying local rebate programs, determining eligibility, and ensuring that both standalone and networked thermostats meet specific program requirements. From pre-approval to post-install verification, we support every step of the process to help secure maximum funding.
For many clients, rebates cover a substantial portion of their retrofit costs — making smart thermostat upgrades not just affordable, but financially strategic. When combined with , these incentives often make it possible to finance retrofits with little to no out-of-pocket expense. The result is faster ROI and long-term operational savings that continue to compound year after year.
Beyond Cost Savings: Added Value
While the financial benefits of retrofitting with Verdant are substantial, the strategic advantages are just as compelling. Consistent and comfortable climate control improves the overall resident or guest experience, supporting higher satisfaction, longer stays, and better reviews.
In other words, it’s a low-effort way to enhance your portfolio’s brand and retain tenant/guest occupancy.
At the same time, smart thermostat upgrades contribute directly to a property’s long-term valuation, including:
- reduced operating expenses
- lower HVAC maintenance needs
- and higher-value infrastructure
All of which all contribute to higher property and resale values.
Verdant’s thermostats also integrate seamlessly with other smart building technologies, including property management systems (PMS) , lighting, and even access control. This kind of interoperability streamlines operations, reduces manual workload, and improves system visibility across entire portfolios. So retrofitting, in this sense, isn’t just about cutting energy use — it’s about making your properties smarter, more competitive, and overall valuable.
Case Study: Azusa Pacific University
Azusa Pacific University needed an energy management solution that could retrofit easily into their existing dormitory infrastructure without disrupting campus life. Rising energy costs and frequent HVAC runtime in unoccupied rooms had become major operational concerns. The university partnered with Verdant to reduce energy waste, improve HVAC efficiency, and align with its long-term sustainability goals.
Verdant’s smart thermostats were installed across two dormitory buildings using a plug-and-play approach that was so seamless that student workers handled installation. Once operational, the thermostats began detecting real-time occupancy and automatically adjusting room temperatures.
The result was a 45% reduction in HVAC runtime, driven by intelligent setback modes that activated when rooms were empty. In total, Azusa Pacific saved over 1.75 million kWh and more than $210,000 in energy costs — which was the equivalent of removing 206 gasoline-powered cars from the road for an entire year.
The university now remotely manages all thermostats from a single platform, adjusting settings across the campus in minutes. For student housing operators facing similar retrofit needs, the APU case offers a clear example of how fast, scalable, and cost-effective Verdant’s solution can be.
Retrofit Smarter with Verdant
If you’re looking for a cost-effective way to modernize your property portfolio, reduce energy waste, and improve your bottom line — then the best place to start is with your thermostats. HVAC is one of the largest operational expenses for any commercial property, and smart thermostats offer the most direct path to measurable savings with the lowest upfront investment and the quickest ROI..
Verdant’s smart thermostats deliver more than just energy efficiency. They offer a quick and affordable retrofit solution, short payback periods, eligibility for local rebates and incentives, and seamless integration with your existing HVAC, PMS, and smart building systems.
Ready to cut costs and increase your building’s value? Explore rebate opportunities or schedule a demo with Verdant to see how fast and easy it can be to retrofit your property — and start increasing the value or your property portfolio today!