Most hotels install keycard systems to replace physical keys and control room access. One hotel used the same system to cut energy waste and lower electricity costs.
By connecting its keycard system to room energy controls, the property reduced guest room energy consumption by 33%. Instead of relying on guests to switch off lights or adjust the thermostat, the room responded automatically based on occupancy.
This case study shows how hotel energy management systems can help reduce electricity bills, especially in hotels where power costs are high and generators run for long hours.
The Challenge
Hotel rooms use electricity even when no one is inside.
Guests often leave air conditioners running while they are out. Lights stay on after check-out. Televisions and other appliances continue drawing power in empty rooms.
These small losses add up across dozens or hundreds of rooms and become one of the biggest controllable hotel operating costs. The problem is not only staff oversight. Manual energy control does not scale well in busy hotels.
The Solution
The hotel installed the Verde Energy Control System, which worked alongside its existing keycard access system.
When a guest inserted the keycard into the wall reader, the system recognised the room as occupied. Lights, selected outlets, and the HVAC system worked normally.
When the guest removed the card, the system automatically turned off controlled electrical loads and switched the air conditioner to energy-saving mode. No staff action was needed, and guests did not have to remember anything.
The Results
An independent 30-day study compared rooms with the automation system to similar rooms without it.
The results were clear: rooms with occupancy-based controls used 33% less energy for HVAC and electrical equipment than the control rooms. Based on the findings, researchers estimated that installing the system across the hotel's 293 rooms could save about 480,991 kWh of electricity every year.
The main lesson was not just the percentage saved. It was how the savings happened. The hotel did not depend on guest behaviour. It reduced waste by making energy control automatic.
Why This Matters for Nigerian Hotels
Hotels in Nigeria face a different reality. Power supply is often unstable, diesel generators fill the gap, and fuel costs take up a large share of operating expenses.
In this environment, every empty room that stays fully powered wastes money. Occupancy-based hotel automation helps reduce that waste by making sure rooms use electricity only when they are occupied.
For hotels that run generators for many hours each day, even small reductions in energy waste can lead to meaningful savings.
Beyond Keycards
A keycard tells the hotel when a guest enters or leaves a room. That information becomes much more useful when it is connected to a hotel automation platform.
Instead of treating the keycard as only an access tool, hotels can use occupancy data to manage room energy use, housekeeping, maintenance, and other operations.
This is where platforms like Staynaija fit in. Staynaija works alongside compatible hotel hardware, including existing keycard systems, to help automate room power management based on real guest occupancy. Rather than replacing current equipment, the platform extends what hotels already have through a plug-and-play setup that does not require major rewiring or disruptive upgrades.
Reduce Your Power Bill
Connect your property's room access data to automated power controls with Staynaija. Plug energy leaks in vacant rooms and start saving up to 33% on electricity costs this month.
Request a personalized demo of Staynaija →The Bottom Line
The lesson from this case study is not that every hotel needs the same system. The real lesson is that hotel automation works best when different systems are connected.
A keycard should do more than unlock a door. It should help hotels track occupancy, reduce electricity waste, and improve operational efficiency.
As more hotels look for ways to lower operating costs without hurting the guest experience, connecting existing systems to smarter automation tools may offer one of the fastest returns on investment.