Ask ten hotel owners whether their utility pays toward guest room thermostats and most will say “probably not.” Many are wrong. A lot of utilities across the USA and Canada offer incentives for smart thermostats & energy controls in guest rooms, and the money often goes unclaimed simply because nobody checked before the install.
Here’s how these rebates usually work, the one mistake that costs owners the most, and how to find out in a few minutes what your property may qualify for.
Prescriptive vs custom incentives
Utility programs generally come in two shapes:
- Prescriptive (per-room or per-device). A set amount for each qualifying control installed. These are the simplest: if the equipment meets the program list and the room qualifies, you file and get paid.
- Custom (performance-based). The incentive is based on the energy the project is expected to save. These take more paperwork, sometimes a calculation or measurement plan, but they can cover larger or more complex projects such as full GRMS with door lock and lighting integration.
Some utilities offer both. Which one fits depends on your HVAC type, room count and the scope of controls you’re installing.
The pre-approval trap
This is where most rebate money is lost. Many programs require approval before any equipment is purchased or installed. Install first and file later, and the answer is often no, even if the project would otherwise have qualified.
Before you sign for anything, confirm:
- Whether the program needs pre-approval, and how long that takes.
- Which equipment and room types qualify.
- Whether a pre- or post-install inspection is required.
- How long the program’s funding is open. Budgets can run out mid-year.
What usually qualifies
Programs vary, but guest room energy controls with occupancy sensing are the most common qualifying measure, because they cut HVAC runtime in empty rooms. Systems that go further (door lock integration, lighting integration, and BMS or PMS connections) can strengthen a custom application. We can perform BMS and PMS integrations, which can add functionality and savings on top of the guest room controls.
Across all hotel brands, properties typically see 20–35% less HVAC energy use and a 12–18 month payback, often sooner with rebates. Results vary.*
How to check your property in minutes
Our Rebates page lets you search by state, province or utility. Your property may qualify for one of 74 verified utility rebate programs and more. We link each program to the utility’s own site, so you can see the source yourself.
If you’re in the Sunshine State, see our Florida page for humidity-aware setbacks and what Florida properties should check. If your rooms run on PTACs, our PTAC energy management page explains what qualifying controls look like on the units you already have.
Let us handle the paperwork
Rebates reward the projects that are planned well. During our free assessment we confirm the programs for your exact address, file pre-approval before anything is installed, and handle the applications, inspections and follow-up through to payment. See how we work, our hotels page, and how integration and GRMS fit together.
FAQ
Do rebates cover the whole project? Rarely. They typically offset part of the cost and shorten the payback. The amount depends on the utility, the program and the scope.
Can I apply after the thermostats are installed? Some programs allow it, but many don’t. Always check for a pre-approval requirement before you buy.
Do multifamily properties qualify too? Often, yes. Many utilities run separate programs for multifamily buildings. Check the Rebates page for your area.
See what your property may qualify for
Book your free assessment → or call our team at (561) 762-9500
*Savings and payback vary by utility rates, climate, HVAC type, occupancy and available rebates. Rebate amounts, approval and timing are set by each utility and can change; we confirm eligibility for your exact address before you commit.
