- Power users at work: Thomas Schwertfirm uses better.energy much more intensively than the average user – this leads to new opportunities and uncovers potential for optimisation, which can then be eliminated together.
- Measurable instead of marketing: Decisions are based on bills, consumption and waste quantities, not on labels.
- Convenience + Efficiency: Automated profiles and window recognition relieve housekeeping, the data situation makes control plannable.
- Clean rollout: From pilot test to full rollout – much implemented in-house, with a clear priority on installation quality.
- Support at eye level: Close, constructive and critical collaboration with the Betterspace team – fast, solution-orientated, respectful.
- Continuous improvement: Practical feedback flows back into hardware and software fine-tuning – “from the business for the business”.
The Hotel Schwertfirm
The Hotel Schwertfirm in Munich is a second-generation family business that has been successfully running a hotel since 1989. For owner Thomas Schwertfirm, sustainability is not a modern marketing strategy, but is deeply rooted in the company philosophy.
| Criterion | Criterion Details |
|---|---|
| Houses | 3 buildings in solid brick construction (from 1989) |
| Rooms | 71 |
| Heating technology | 2 gas boilers, 2 heating circuits |
| Guest mix | Focus on business travellers (Mon-Fri) |
| Digitalisation of heating | Launched in 2019, today better.energy with LoRaWAN and window contacts |
| Operating principle | Sustainability by conviction, success proven by invoices and consumption |
Attitude before hype: sustainable because it pays off
“We don’t waste anything – neither plastic, nor water, nor electricity or gas. That’s not a trend for us, it’s been our practice for years,” says owner Thomas Schwertfirm. This is measurable in everyday life: extremely low levels of residual waste at breakfast, disciplined use of resources and the courage to evaluate everything based on hard figures. “Certificates are nice – what matters is what’s on the bill at the end of the month.“
One of the biggest challenges in a hotel when it comes to sustainability is the habits of the guests. Especially in winter, Thomas Schwertfirm observed a familiar problem: “Guests heat the room at full throttle and leave the window open at the same time, the room is paid for and then it doesn’t matter”.
To have more control and an overview, the owner opted for the smart radiator control system better.energy back in 2019, which was still Wi-Fi-based at the time. Because the fast and reliable detection of open windows is a major lever, he switched to the new LoRaWAN platform, including new hardware, in 2024. “What’s really important to me is window detection. That’s why we switched to the new technology with LoRaWAN in conjunction with the window contacts,” says Schwertfirm
From test to series production: how digitalisation started
The start was deliberately gradual. First a newly renovated premium category with ten rooms, then the successive expansion to the entire hotel. Algorithm-based window-open detection was a key early on to prevent heat loss through tilted or open windows. “We don’t roll out anything blindly – first test, then scale. This has brought us speed and quality,” explains Schwertfirm.
The conversion to LoRaWAN
When 2024 window contacts offered faster and more reliable detection of open windows by better.energy, the owner didn’t think twice. He and another employee installed the new technology on their own. As is often the case with new things, Schwertfirm quickly discovered opportunities for optimisation during installation and provided valuable tips for installation at other customers and further product development.
Power user mindset: more depth, more impact
Schwertfirm says of himself: “I probably use better.energy more intensively than many others.” And yes, he does, but that’s exactly what makes the difference. As a frequent and intensive user, he goes deeper into the parameters, regularly looks at sensor statuses and works with exception rules where standard settings reach their limits.
This intensive use has two effects:
- More benefits: Profiles fit the house more finely, comfort remains constant and energy losses are curbed more quickly.
- Faster learning: if you take a closer look, you discover optimisation possibilities and thus provide precise feedback for the next improvement loop.
He is satisfied with the automatic control and the resulting effects. “Comfort is automated and special requests remain possible. This combination works for our guests and for me too,” he summarises.
About a lively relationship and constructive criticism with a focus on improvement
A “healthy” project is not one without criticism, but one that gets better with criticism. It’s like any relationship: if you don’t say what’s not working, nothing can change. “Criticism is not a defect, but a raw material. The important thing is to derive measures from observations,” explains the owner. “Criticism is welcome as long as it is constructive and helps us move forward. That’s exactly how we work together,” adds Benjamin Köhler, CEO of Betterspace.
Optimisation points suggested by hotel owner Schwertfirm:
- Window contacts are precision assembly work: different frames and recesses make the standardised solution an illusion.
- The start of the season needs routine: individual rooms can get too cold/warm during the ramp-up to the heating period.
- Robustness of the thermostats: Occasionally, the thermostats are exposed to particularly high loads, which can lead to the thermostats not holding on the valve.
Solution 1: Well thought out instead of fast, fast
The technology was new and the installation of the window contacts offered a lot of potential. Schwerfirm’s tip of randomly checking the windows in advance and carrying out a test installation for each window type was helpful. The information that battery accessibility must be taken into account when deciding whether to glue or drill was also great. The findings were added to the installation instructions and integrated into the counselling sessions. This avoids annoyance and unnecessary effort.
Solution 2: Change of season without the thrill
The start of the heating season in particular is traditionally tricky. With clear profiles, verifiable sensor statuses and random room checks, the house remains in the comfort window while the system starts up. “When the season picks up, we don’t want any surprises. The control sets and window contacts give us the peace of mind we need. And with every year we become more experienced in using the system,” says the owner.
Solution 3: People & mechanics: Small things, big impact
Digital control thrives on solid mechanics. Schwertfirm makes sure that thermostats are stable and work well . Of course, this was not always possible, because if a radiator is difficult to access, it is highly likely that the display cannot be read. In addition, there are always radiators and thermostats that are exposed to particularly high loads due to spatial conditions. Thanks to Thomas Schwertfirm’s suggestion, Betterspace was also able to find a solution for this. Where the installation situation is tight, angle adapters now ensure better installation and visibility. Meanwhile, new metal-reinforced back plates provide more support and stability. “We wanted a solution that would last in operation, not just in the brochure,” explains Schwertfirm.
Support at eye level: speed, expertise, respect
“Communication with Betterspace support is now really great. Enquiries are received, prioritised and resolved competently. I am more than satisfied with the development we have made together,” says Schwertfirm. Particularly valuable: the respect for the operator’s perspective. “It’s friendly and critical – at eye level and with respect. That’s what makes optimisation fun.”
This interaction is the reason why power user feedback does not end up in the inbox, but is translated directly into product improvements and practical recommendations. Short paths, clear language – and ultimately better results for everyone.
Convenience & costs: the double effect – realistically evaluated
As a result, costs have fallen noticeably and comfort stability has increased. Both gas boilers were replaced at the same time. Schwertfirm therefore seriously assesses the success as a combination of modern system technology and digital control: “In the end, it’s the interaction that counts: new boiler plus better.energy – and you can see it on the bill.“
The strength of the system is particularly evident in the transitional period: control sets keep rooms warm in a predictable way, window contacts slow down losses and outliers can be recognised early enough to make targeted adjustments.
The results at a glance: Before – Today
| Area | Before | Today |
|---|---|---|
| Heating mode | Manual seasonal changes per room | Automated profiles with fine tuning |
| Window losses | Hardly transparent, reactive | Window contacts report reliably, losses decrease |
| Transparency | Individual checks, little database | Clear data situation, anomalies visible early on |
| Guest comfort | Inconsistent depending on handling | Stable in the comfort window, special requests possible |
| Effort | Many small tasks | Less manual handling, more administrative overview |
| Costs | Highly process-dependent | Measurably reduced in conjunction with new boiler technology |
“We see the improvements in day-to-day business and at the end of the month in figures. That’s what it’s all about,” explains Schwertfirm with satisfaction.
Conclusion: System instead of coincidence – how digitalisation becomes an advantage
Hotel Schwertfirm shows how consistent business management and better.energy work together: costs down, comfort up, less odds and ends for the housekeeping team. As a power user, Thomas Schwertfirm uses the platform intensively and naturally finds potential for optimisation as a result – and makes this the starting point for improvements. With support at eye level, a partnership is created that delivers results day after day. “In the end, it has to work in operation – and it does. New boiler, better.energy, an alert team: that’s how it pays off. Take the first step, the rest comes from the figures,” recommends the convinced owner.