At the heart is a centralised cloud-based management platform. Operators monitor and control space heating, water heating, leak detection, water wastage, kitchen safety and utility consumption across multiple sites from a single dashboard. This eliminates the need for costly site visits or time-consuming manual adjustments. Whether managing 300 or 30,000 bedrooms, smart management gives complete control, visibility and intelligence at scale — delivering consistency and peace of mind.

Cost reduction is immediate and measurable. Intelligent control of heating at the room level, using occupancy detection and tailored heating schedules ensures that energy is only used when needed. Rooms aren’t heated when empty, and students have sufficient control to adjust their environment within pre-set limits. For operators managing thousands of rooms, these small savings compound into significant annual reductions in energy consumption and utility costs. 50% savings on heating load are not uncommon.

Likewise, accurately managing water heating in line with demand can produce as much as a 30% saving in energy use and significant reduction in water consumption. The associated costs of repair and insurance premiums can also be reduced with the integration of leak detection, to mitigate the effects of escape of water, while installation of hob auto-shut-off devices reduces the risk of cooking fires.

Utilities VS staffing costsEnergy efficiency is a critical priority in PBSA operations. Utilities often represent the highest single operational expenditure and are comparable with staffing costs. The amount spent on utilities is more volatile, prices fluctuate, they are affected by weather, occupant behaviour, and macro-economic factors. These present difficulties in forecasting.

Conversely staff costs are more stable and predictable particularly when scaling up operations. They are generally fixed costs. Rises can be anticipated with careful management of wage inflation and recruitment.

The use of systems such as Irus make utility use, and therefore costs, more visible and easier to control. Automated functionality delivers efficiencies and far greater savings potential in terms of both utility cost and staff engagement.

Sustainability is built in. With ESG goals, net-zero targets, and growing demand from students for environmentally responsible accommodation, PBSA operators can demonstrate measurable carbon reductions. Detailed energy usage reports support compliance and accreditation, making it easier to meet regulatory demands while strengthening a brand’s sustainability credentials.

Operational efficiency also gets a major boost. It’s not just control of heating; Intelligent monitoring actively supports maintenance teams. Real-time fault alerts allow for preventative maintenance, reducing downtime and minimising reactive repair costs. Management teams can diagnose and address issues remotely before they escalate, improving service levels and reducing student complaints.

And most importantly: Students are happy. A system such as Prefect Irus strikes the perfect balance between comfort and efficiency. Students have an easy-to-use interface to control their room temperature, while operators maintain overall control to prevent energy waste. The result, greater student satisfaction, fewer temperature-related service calls, and an enhanced reputation for the property.

Providers need more than just heating controls, they need a smart, scalable, and future-proof solution, intelligent room-level control, occupancy detection, and adaptive heating schedules that reduce unnecessary heating. Irus delivers exactly that, making it the go-to choice for multi-site PBSA operators who want to protect their margins, reduce energy consumption, and offer an outstanding student experience across their portfolios, nationwide.

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