Plug-in heaters remain a common challenge across PBSA assets. Whether driven by misunderstandings around smart heating controls or a preference for higher room temperatures, these devices create significant operational risk — increasing energy costs and introducing potential fire safety concerns.
This data story highlights how room-level insight enabled one operator to identify and resolve an issue quickly and effectively.
The Challenge
During a routine review within The Utopi Platform, a leading UK and European PBSA operator identified an outlier: a studio room recording temperatures of 28°C.
Further investigation showed the room had been averaging 22–28°C, well above the maximum temperature configured for the in-room Smart Panel Heater.
The immediate question: Was this a system fault, user behaviour, or an additional heat source?
To determine the root cause, Utopi’s Customer Impact team conducted a deeper analysis of the room’s heating and environmental data.
The Solution
Utopi’s granular, room-level data enables operators to move beyond surface-level alerts and understand how a space is functioning in practice.
Analysis of the Smart Panel Heater data showed:
- The heater was operational
- It was running at step-down target temperatures of 12–16°C
- There was no evidence of active resident interaction
However, Multisensor temperature data showed sustained room temperatures between 22–28°C.
This discrepancy indicated the presence of an additional heat source — most likely a plug-in heater operating independently of the building’s smart heating system.
The Outcome
Once the behaviour was identified, the energy implications became clear:
- 25kWh average daily consumption over a 30-day period
- Equivalent to approximately 5,000kWh across the heating season
- An estimated £1,400 seasonal cost to the operator
- 122% higher consumption compared to the average studio within the asset
On 13th February, the room consumed 46kWh in a single 24-hour period, with an average temperature of 28.6°C — significantly above both asset norms and configured heating parameters.
With clear, data-backed insight, the on-site team were able to engage the resident directly, understand their comfort requirements, and provide guidance on using the Smart Panel Heater correctly.
Using the Utopi Platform, a controlled remote adjustment was implemented to ensure the resident maintained a comfortable living environment — without unnecessary energy consumption or elevated safety risk.
The result: reduced excess consumption, mitigated fire risk, and an improved resident experience.
The Broader Impact
This example demonstrates the value of granular room-level intelligence across PBSA portfolios, and highlights the importance of daily checks of The Utopi Platform to spot outliers like this.
Beyond simple alerts, actionable data enables operators to:
- Identify anomalies early
- Reduce avoidable energy waste
- Lower utility expenditure
- Mitigate health and safety risks
- Support resident comfort and satisfaction
With the right visibility, operational teams can prioritise effectively, intervene where it matters, and optimise asset performance at scale.
It’s about knowing what’s happening inside your buildings — and having the clarity to act. And sometimes, that means turning down the heat.