Energy efficiency: The first step to decarbonising buildings

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Why buildings matter in the climate fight

There are 28.5 million homes and 1.9 million commercial buildings in the UK and together, they generate a whopping 20% of total carbon emissions (Climate Change Committee, 2023). On a global scale, the figures are even more staggering; with buildings accounting for 40% of our energy consumption and producing a third of all greenhouse gas emissions (UNEP Global Status Report 2022).

The good news is that given the right tools and strategies, building operators can drastically reduce their carbon footprint. Collectively, they could have a huge positive impact on our environment – and it all starts with energy efficiency.

Energy efficiency: your first, vital step

Don’t invest in renewables or high-tech upgrades until you’ve maximised your energy efficiency. It’s the first vital step for any carbon neutral building – but also benefits your business in other ways. Here’s how:

• Maximising your energy efficiency reduces overall energy use. When energy is used wisely, buildings need less of it to operate. This reduces the total energy demand, making it easier to manage and offset.
• Simplifying the shift to renewables. A building that conserves energy doesn’t require as much clean energy to reach carbon neutrality. This makes renewable systems more practical and affordable.
• Saving money. Using energy efficiently lowers utility bills and reduces the cost of future upgrades, including renewable energy installations.
• Delivering immediate benefits. Energy-wise strategies like smart controls, better maintenance and behaviour changes can be implemented quickly and start reducing emissions straight away.
• Building a strong foundation. If a building continues to waste energy, even clean energy is being used inefficiently. Wise energy use ensures sustainability from the ground up.

How do you make your building energy efficient?

First of all, you should ensure you have a modern, well-maintained building energy management system (BEMS). This is crucial because your BEMS controls your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), as well as lighting and other building equipment. All in all, your BEMS is thought to control up to 80% of your building’s total energy use (CIBSE Guide H).

Your HVAC alone accounts for 40% of your building’s energy use and a well-maintained BEMS can reduce this by up to 25% (IEA, 2021).

Once you’ve upgraded your BEMS, it’s time to install additional smart energy systems that can further reduce, monitor and streamline your energy usage.

Steps to maximise your energy efficiency

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Optimise and maintain your systems

Regular, long-term maintenance support from a BEMS provider, like Kendra, prevents performance drop-offs and keeps you on track to hit your energy management goals.

Use energy analytics and Internet of Things (IoT)

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Advanced energy monitoring

Track real-time energy performance by installing an advanced energy monitoring system, like PROActiv Energy. With sustainability at the core of its design, it breaks down your energy use (e.g. electric, water and gas) to determine how much you’re using and where.

Smart analytics software

Your energy monitoring system can be integrated with smart analytics software, like PROActiv Analytics. With a bird’s eye view of your entire estate, it’ll learn your building’s energy use patterns, compare this to average profiles and pinpoint saving opportunities. Not only will it quickly spot inefficiencies but predict them in advance for a targeted approach to maintenance that’ll help your building run at maximum efficiency.