Prefect Controls has expanded its Irus energy management ecosystem beyond PBSA into the Built-to-Rent (BTR) and Co-Living sectors, where intelligent control, efficiency, and sustainability are critical to both operators and residents.
A tried and tested solution
Originally developed in 1997 for student accommodation, Irus has evolved to tackle the unique challenges of managing large multi-tenant buildings. Student halls often present highly variable occupancy patterns, residents who are not directly responsible for their energy bills, and the constant need to balance comfort with cost control. In this environment, Irus has proved its value by delivering occupancy-responsive heating management which reduces waste. In recent analysis results show a 50% reduction in heating load.
Will Mills Prefect Controls MD commented, “Unlike some sensor-based building management systems, Irus controls energy input, physically turning heat sources on and off. This action equates to tangible savings.”
For facilities managers, Irus provides powerful oversight tools. Remote monitoring enables quick fault detection, while advanced utility sub-metering gives detailed visibility of consumption across entire estates. This combination allows operators to run large portfolios more effectively while safeguarding resident comfort.
Irus benefits other property sectors
These same advantages are now being applied to BTR and Co-Living properties. While residents typically stay longer than students, the operational challenge remains similar: ensuring energy is used efficiently without compromising the quality of the living environment. Granular, room-by-room control is the key to delivering both.
Prefect recently completed the installation of Irus at a flagship Co-Living development in Guildford, covering 301 studios and shared apartments.
“This represents an expansion into new sectors for us,” Will continues, “From our traditional student accommodation market into Co-Living properties. It proves that understanding utility use through data analysis, and more importantly, controlling consumption, is vital to all providers of multi-occupancy accommodation.”
At Guildford, Irus manages space heating and enables precise metering through UtilityMeter, part of the Irus ecosystem. This tracks electricity, water, and heater usage at the individual room level, providing both residents and operators with accurate and transparent utility data.
Complementing this is INVESTIGATOR, Prefect’s analytics platform, which presents real-time building and room-level data on an intuitive schematic plan. With this insight, operators can:
- Pinpoint high energy users and apply fair usage policies
- Encourage behavioural change to reduce consumption
- Identify emerging trends in demand
- Target interventions for greater efficiency
These features not only support operational savings but also help schemes pursue high sustainability standards. At Guildford, the development is on track to achieve an ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating, with Irus playing a pivotal role in meeting energy efficiency and environmental performance targets.
Many sectors. Multiple data-points. One platform
For landlords and operators, Irus offers confidence through remote monitoring and management of:
- Room temperature
- Humidity
- Occupancy
- Light
- Sound pressure
- Air quality
- Leak detection and water wastage
- Water heating
- Kitchen safety
- Utility usage
- Faults
This ensures safer and more resilient buildings. Its ability to match energy consumption precisely to occupancy means waste is eliminated while comfort remains uncompromised. In high-turnover environments, kitchen safety features and rapid response to faults add another layer of reassurance.
The benefits extend beyond PBSA and Co-Living. Apartment blocks, hotels, hostels, mixed-use schemes, and other multi-tenant residential developments face many of the same challenges. With intelligent room-level controls and accurate sub-metering, Irus enables operators to optimise communal systems, allocate costs fairly, and manage estates more effectively.
Will concludes, “Across all sectors, the principle is the same – when multiple rooms, diverse occupancy patterns, and high expectations for comfort come together, Irus delivers control, visibility, and intelligence which helps operators provide safer, more sustainable, and more efficient places to live.”
