From energy drain to NABERS gain: Optimising sustainability for hotels

With energy costs rising rapidly and an increased focus on sustainability, efficiency, and guest comfort, accommodation providers are investing in smarter energy management solutions.

The latest ingenious guest room technologies reduce energy consumption and lower expenses, without compromising the guest experience.

First published in the new Autumn print edition of AccomNews HERE

At the forefront of this revolution is mySmart, a wholly Australian-owned business with more than 60 experienced employees and a national footprint. mySmart specialises in creating intelligent environments across various sectors, integrating innovative technologies, trusted products, and advanced analytics to help businesses thrive in today’s dynamic landscape.

Daryl Brett, mySmart’s Hospitality Business Development Manager, said the company collaborates with hotel owners, operators, and builders to develop tailored solutions that meet their individual requirements.

“As a system integrator, we work with seven guest room management system (GRMS) vendors within our portfolio of products,” Mr Brett said.

A GRMS offers advanced automation to manage lighting, temperature, curtains, and in-room entertainment, improving both guest convenience and energy efficiency.

“There are two key aspects to guest room management systems,” Mr Brett said.

“One is energy consumption—anything that uses electricity should be controlled. The second is guest experience. For example, integrating blinds or drapes helps manage heat load. If a room faces west and the sun is streaming in during the late afternoon, closing the curtains prevents excess heat buildup, reducing the need for air conditioning.

“In unoccupied rooms, the system automatically closes the curtains to limit heat gain, while in occupied rooms, guests have full control.

“When a guest first enters their room, a welcome scene should activate—the drapes open, lights switch on, and the air conditioning adjusts to a comfortable setting without blasting cold air.”

Many hotels now integrate room control with security features, such as digital locks and online systems, to enhance security and efficiency. However, Mr Brett advises against incorporating locks directly into the GRMS.

“For a GRMS to function effectively, the system needs to determine whether the door is open or closed,” he said.

“The most reliable way to achieve this is with a reed switch on the door. If you rely on an electronic lock—especially a battery-operated one—to provide positional feedback, it drains the battery without adding meaningful functionality.

“Incorporating the lock as a GRMS trigger introduces a potential failure point. A reed switch, on the other hand, is hardwired and highly reliable.”

mySmart uses products from several vendors including AuVerte, Honeywell Inncom, Schneider, Trustech, Salto, Eelectron, and Dynalite. Recently, mySmart implemented a Honeywell GRMS in a large hotel refurbishment.

These systems employ the latest temperature regulation technologies to reduce unnecessary energy consumption while maintaining guest comfort.

“Every vendor we work with provides temperature control,” Mr Brett said. “Each system includes a thermostat that allows guests to adjust the air conditioning or enables the system to self-manage temperature based on occupancy.

“At one of our largest hotel refurbishments, the GRMS was purely used to turn lights on when guests entered and off when they left. However, the system’s capabilities extend much further.

“We can customise controls to any level of detail.

“Scenes can be programmed for different times of day. For example, a daytime scene may open the curtains and set the lights to low brightness, while a nighttime scene could close the drapes and dim the lights.”

The financial impact of these technologies can be significant.

“Every hotel room has different energy consumption patterns,” Mr Brett said. “The easiest way to measure energy savings is by tracking how long a room remains powered down.

“A room with a GRMS is effectively shut down 30 percent more than one without. While the exact dollar savings vary, mySmart provides a full reporting dashboard that tracks energy consumption in real time.

“As of next year, hotels will be required to report their National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) or energy star ratings.

“Our dashboard provides comprehensive energy and water usage data, allowing properties to assess their efficiency at a glance.”

Beyond guestrooms, mySmart installs energy-saving solutions throughout hotels and commercial properties.

“In many multi-storey car parks, lights activate only when a vehicle enters,” Mr Brett said. “We install these systems to conserve energy.

“Previously, car parks and hotel corridors were illuminated 24/7. But guests are usually in their rooms, at the bar, or in the restaurant, so corridors don’t need to be continuously lit.

“That said, guests shouldn’t step out of a lift into complete darkness. A good control system ensures seamless transitions—lighting only when needed without noticeable disruption.

“While guests may not notice the difference, the property’s bottom line certainly does. And with NABERS-compliant reporting, hotels can maximise energy savings while maintaining exceptional guest experiences.”