Commercial real estate is a significant contributor to global carbon emissions. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), buildings account for nearly 40% of global energy consumption and about 33% of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Within this sector, commercial buildings such as offices, hotels, retail spaces, and industrial facilities play a substantial role. As the world intensifies its efforts to combat climate change, addressing emissions from commercial real estate has become increasingly important.
Poorly performing buildings, particularly those with outdated or inefficient systems, contribute disproportionately to carbon emissions. Key areas of concern include heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, which are responsible for a large share of energy consumption in commercial buildings.
Inefficient or poorly maintained HVAC systems can waste significant amounts of energy, leading to higher emissions. Similarly, chillers and compressors are critical for temperature control but are often energy intensive. Older or malfunctioning equipment can consume excessive energy, increasing the building's carbon footprint. Lighting is another significant area, as traditional lighting systems, such as incandescent or fluorescent bulbs, are far less efficient than modern LED lighting solutions. Inefficient lighting not only increases energy consumption but also contributes to higher emissions.
Facilities managers play a crucial role in reducing the environmental impact of commercial real estate. Their responsibilities include ensuring that buildings and their systems operate efficiently, thereby minimising energy consumption and carbon emissions. Regular maintenance and upgrades of HVAC systems, chillers, compressors, and lighting are essential to ensure these assets operate at peak efficiency, significantly reducing energy consumption and emissions.
Conducting energy audits helps identify areas where energy use can be reduced, and facilities managers can use the results of these audits to implement energy-saving measures and track improvements over time. Implementing sustainability initiatives such as retrofitting buildings with energy-efficient technologies, adopting renewable energy sources, and promoting conservation practices among building occupants further supports these efforts.
Staying compliant with environmental regulations and standards is also critical, as facilities managers must ensure their buildings meet or exceed the requirements set by local, national, and international legislation aimed at reducing carbon emissions and promoting energy efficiency.
The EP&T EDGE platform is a powerful tool that helps facilities managers optimise building performance and reduce carbon emissions.
By leveraging data from Building Management Systems (BMS), Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and submeters, EP&T EDGE provides actionable insights that can significantly enhance building efficiency.
The EP&T EDGE platform collects and aggregates data from various building systems, offering a comprehensive view of energy consumption and asset performance. This extensive data collection is essential for identifying inefficiencies and areas for improvement. The platform enables both self-service monitoring and automated alerts, enabling facilities managers to respond to issues such as excessive energy use or equipment malfunctions. This proactive approach helps maintain optimal building performance and prevent unnecessary energy waste.
EP&T EDGE analyses building data using advanced data analytics to deliver actionable insights, identifying patterns of energy use that indicate inefficiencies, suggesting improvements, and quantifying the potential impact of proposed changes. This enables facilities managers to implement targeted energy-saving measures effectively.
One of the critical challenges for facilities managers is demonstrating the tangible benefits of their initiatives. EP&T EDGE helps by quantifying efforts in terms of reduced carbon emissions, energy savings, and cost reductions. This data is invaluable for reporting to stakeholders and justifying investments in sustainability measures.
The EDGE platform aids in ensuring compliance with climate-related legislation by providing the necessary data to meet reporting requirements. It can generate detailed reports that align with regulatory standards, making the compliance process more straightforward and less time-consuming.
EP&T EDGE supports a cycle of continuous improvement by enabling ongoing monitoring and analysis. Facilities managers can track the effectiveness of implemented measures, make data-driven adjustments, and set new targets for further reductions in emissions and energy use.
Commercial real estate is a major contributor to global carbon emissions, with poorly performing buildings and inefficient assets exacerbating the problem. Facilities managers play a vital role in optimising building performance and reducing energy consumption and emissions.
The EP&T EDGE platform provides the tools and insights needed to achieve these goals, helping facilities managers identify inefficiencies, implement effective solutions, and track progress. By leveraging advanced technologies such as EDGE, facilities managers can significantly reduce the environmental impact of commercial real estate, contributing to a more sustainable future.
