Commercial buildings are responsible for nearly 40% of global energy use and over 30% of greenhouse gas emissions, according to the UN Environment Programme. Now, given that energy prices are rising and ESG reporting is becoming standard, operators are under pressure to manage their buildings more sustainably and reduce energy use. The good news is that there are many proven strategies, many of which have payback periods of less than three years, that promise to reduce energy use by up to 30% without requiring major renovations. This article will look at five high-impact strategies that can improve energy performance in buildings utilizing smart technology, automation, and changes to the structure or process.
1. Smart building automation and energy management
Building automation systems (BAS) provide centralized control over HVAC, lighting, security, and other systems in a building. These systems can respond in real-time to occupancy and environmental sensors to create a smarter, leaner operational environment. The BAS serves as the digital nervous system of the building, allowing for data-driven decision-making and ultimately predictive maintenance for building operations. In retail stores and educational buildings, savings can reach even higher percentages due to predictable usage patterns. Facility operators can program automation sequences that account for daily routines, peak usage times, and specific occupant needs.
A modern BAS will also be able to provide sub-system visibility in detail. This capability also provides an opportunity for anomaly detection similar to the building energy draw of a faulty air handling unit - which, if left unchecked, could evolve to an expensive repair or utility bill spike - can be detected easily. In addition to enhanced visibility, automation can also simplify compliance reporting by generating timestamped logs of energy performance. Wireless sensor networks offer the opportunity to deploy or expand an automation system with minimal disruption to ongoing operations. For retrofit projects, this is extremely important: existing structures can gain access to modern intelligence without the capital expense of removing walls or installing new infrastructure. You can check how BAS works: ROOMSYS streamlined operations for a busy community center and cut energy use by 20%.
2. HVAC System Optimization
HVAC systems usually comprise 40–60% of a building's energy use, which makes them a high priority for operational improvement. HVAC systems typically run year-round and have a direct impact on a building occupant's comfort. Therefore, upgrades provide both financial and experiential value.
Smarter controls
Smart thermostats allow zone-level granularity of control so you can condition only what is occupied. For instance, a meeting room may only need to be conditioned when it is scheduled for use. With programmable and AI thermostats, zones automatically recondition to schedule, sensor activity, or commercial calendars as necessary.
Occupancy and scheduling
Motion, presence, or CO₂ sensors can automatically trigger adjustments to HVAC systems. As these systems can receive real-time inputs, they are capable of reducing outputs when the space is not in use, mitigating the automatic cycling of compressors or fans when not truly necessary. The system can utilize a data-analysis approach to provide more precise scheduling and timing at peak performance during working hours, and turns off when not actively in use.
Long-term upgrades
Upgrading a system mechanically, such as by changing to variable-speed drives, high-efficiency compressors, or a heat recovery system, can lower demand in considerable amounts. An example is replacing constant-volume air-handling units with variable-air-volume (VAV) systems. VAV systems allow for precise control over airflow, allowing for airflow to more closely match true demand and avoid wasting energy. These upgrades usually have greater upfront costs; however, with favorable ROI periods of 3-5 years based on energy savings and decreased maintenance costs.
Monitoring and predictive maintenance
Continuous monitoring of performance in HVAC allows for predictive maintenance techniques. When facility managers use metrics like vibration, run-time hours, or a filter pressure drop, they can take action before a failure occurs. This increases uptime while also improving efficiency.
3. LED lighting and smart controls
Lighting accounts for a significant share of energy use, especially in commercial buildings with extended operational hours. Upgrading to LED technology offers immediate efficiency gains – up to 75% reduction in lighting energy use compared to fluorescent or incandescent systems. But LEDs are just the starting point. Real value comes from combining efficient hardware with smart lighting controls:
- Occupancy sensors can eliminate lighting energy wasted in unoccupied space. Unlike manual controls, occupancy sensors do not depend on someone remembering to switch the lighting off. Sensors can be set up with the granularity of a room, or even down to the level of individual desks in an open plan workplace.
- Daylight harvesting adjusts artificial lighting levels based on the amount of natural light available under a row of windows, or skylighting. For an office with lots of natural lighting, this can mean electric lighting is used less than 40-60% of daylight hours.
- Dimming and scheduling functions built into smart lighting systems complement the occupancy sensors. These functions ensure lower-intensity lighting when the full-brightness level is not required, as in the case of hallways during after-hours or night shifts.
Smart lighting systems also feed into centralized platforms, giving operators a holistic view of consumption trends. They can pinpoint problem areas, like outdated fixtures drawing excessive current and target upgrades accordingly. Over time, aggregated data can reveal usage patterns, informing redesigns or behavioral interventions that cut costs further.
4. Building envelope monitoring and upgrades
The building envelope defines the boundary between conditioned indoor spaces and the external environment. When compromised, it leads to thermal losses, elevated HVAC loads, and reduced occupant comfort.
Diagnosing performance issues
The first step in improving envelope performance is assessment. Wireless temperature and humidity sensors placed throughout the building can detect inconsistent conditions, indicating issues such as drafts, thermal bridging, or moisture intrusion. Envelope diagnostics often reveal that inefficiencies lie not in system performance but in heat transfer through poorly insulated or sealed sections. Door and window sensors further aid in behavioral insights. For example, if delivery staff regularly leave doors open during loading, simple policy changes or vestibule redesigns can reduce losses without major investment.
Structural improvements
Sealing air leaks and upgrading insulation, especially in roofs and facades, can yield substantial reductions in heating and cooling loads. Energy-efficient windows with low-emissivity (low-E) coatings and multi-pane construction further improve thermal resistance. In colder regions, improving the envelope can cut space heating demand by 15–25%. Adding radiant barriers or reflective roofing materials can also reduce cooling demand in warmer climates, extend HVAC equipment life, and lower electricity costs.
5. Renewable energy integration
On-site renewable energy, particularly solar photovoltaics (PV), offers long-term reductions in grid dependence and operating costs. For many commercial properties, rooftop PV is the most accessible solution, but solar thermal, wind, and geothermal systems may also be viable.
Generation and monitoring
The key to maximizing ROI from renewables lies in integration. Smart energy management systems monitor both generation and consumption in real time, optimizing how and when generated energy is used. For example, buildings can prioritize renewable usage during peak sunlight hours while shifting other loads to off-peak times.
Demand response and storage
Pairing renewables with demand response strategies amplifies savings. During high-tariff periods, automated load shedding or battery discharge can avoid peak charges. Energy storage systems, whether thermal or battery-based, also allow excess renewable energy to be used when demand is highest, not just when the sun shines.
Grid interactions and incentives
Net metering, feed-in tariffs, and energy performance contracting offer additional pathways for ROI. Many regions provide financial incentives or tax credits for commercial solar projects. In some markets, buildings can participate in virtual power plants or sell excess energy back to the grid, turning energy efficiency in buildings into a revenue stream.
ROOMSYS: unifying smart energy strategies
Implementing these strategies in isolation can lead to siloed systems and lost opportunities. ROOMSYS addresses this challenge through a unified IoT platform that connects all building systems under one real-time dashboard. Built on LoRaWAN wireless infrastructure, ROOMSYS enables fast deployment in both modern and legacy buildings. Our building energy optimization solution collects data from HVAC, lighting, envelope sensors, meters, and access controls, allowing building operators to:
- Enable automated management responses to occupancy and/or environmental conditions
- Monitor performance of systems in real-time, historic, and monitor ongoing interventions.
- Monitor, input, and track variable renewable generation with grid and/or storage systems
- Participate in utility demand response programs
- Generate analytics and certification reports that are ready for ESG
ROOMSYS is vendor-agnostic, meaning it works with existing equipment and scales as needs evolve. Its flexible automation engine allows operators to define custom rules—for example, turning off HVAC systems in zones with open windows or dimming lighting during grid stress events. In case studies, ROOMSYS has helped facilities reduce energy costs by 15–30% while improving uptime, comfort, and compliance. It bridges the gap between vision and execution for sustainable building operations.
Conclusion and next steps
Improving energy performance in commercial buildings is now a mainstream priority, moving beyond an "initiative" to a critical business strategy. Regardless of whether the driver is cost control, carbon reduction, or compliance with ESG targets, integrated solutions are a requirement. So, begin with a specific area, HVAC or lighting, for example, where the ROI is clear and measurable. Use smart sensors, analyse usage trends, and decide what savings can be achieved based on real data. As savings accumulate and insights grow, scale your improvements across the entire building.
The combination of proven efficiency strategies and intelligent platforms like ROOMSYS equips facility managers to act decisively. With regulatory demands tightening and utility rates rising, now is the time to transform energy from a liability into a strategic asset. Contact your energy consultant or platform provider to assess your current performance and build your roadmap to smarter, cleaner, and more cost-effective operations.
