PBSA Energy Management

The EcoBolt

A better way to control energy use in student rooms

An empty student room shouldn't mean energy going to waste.

Traditional in-room energy savers rely on residents removing their key card when they leave, which can result in unnecessary energy consumption when rooms are unoccupied. TLJ's EcoBolt offers a different approach to energy management in purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), using the door's deadbolt to signal occupancy and control the energy-saving process. Power can be activated when the room is occupied, with the shut-off process beginning when the resident leaves.

The EcoBolt connects the door lock with the room’s energy saver using Bluetooth. When the resident turns the deadbolt from inside their room, it signals that the room is occupied and activates the power.

When they leave, pulling down the door handle automatically retracts the deadbolt and signals that the room is no longer occupied. The EcoBolt can then switch off non-essential power after a set period of time.

Product features

Designed for studios and clusters

Not every PBSA room is used in the same way. In a studio, a resident leaving their room will often mean they're leaving their accommodation altogether. In a cluster, they might simply be heading to the shared kitchen or living space.

With the EcoBolt, operators can set the energy shut-down timer from 1 to 45 minutes, giving residents enough time to move around their accommodation without unnecessary disruption.

Proven results

Making energy savings add up

During the EcoBolt’s initial UK PBSA pilot, the operator recorded an average annual energy cost saving of £188 per room.

For larger developments, those savings can quickly add up across hundreds of rooms and make a significant difference to overall energy costs.

See the EcoBolt in action

See how the EcoBolt works and how it can help reduce unnecessary energy use in student accommodation.

Built around day-to-day use

Backup access for residents

Physical cards and fobs can still be used when needed, giving residents an alternative way to access their room. These can be programmed for door access only, without activating the room's energy saver.

Access for maintenance staff

Authorised staff credentials can activate the energy saver when required, giving cleaning and maintenance teams access to room power without needing to engage the deadbolt.

Keep essential power running

Circuits that need to remain permanently powered, such as those supplying fridges, can be kept separate from the power controlled by the EcoBolt.

Warning before power shut-off

If a resident returns to their room without re-engaging the deadbolt, the EcoBolt gives an audible warning before the power switches off, giving them time to keep the room powered.