Rising energy costs, stricter regulations and increasing pressure to meet Net Zero targets are driving businesses to review how energy is managed within their commercial buildings. According to the UK Green Building Council, the built environment accounts for 25% of the UK’s carbon emissions, highlighting the need for effective commercial energy management.

As organisations invest more heavily in energy efficiency and sustainability initiatives, demand for experienced energy management professionals continues to grow, making the recruitment of specialist energy talent increasingly important.

Through effective energy management in commercial buildings, organisations are able to understand how, where and when energy is being used. By improving energy efficiency in their properties, businesses can reduce their utility costs, lower carbon emissions and support sustainability goals.

What is energy management in commercial buildings?

Energy management in commercial buildings is a proactive long-term strategy that involves tracking, analysing and optimising energy consumption to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs and support sustainability goals.

Commercial buildings include properties used for business purposes, such as offices, hotels, shopping centres, warehouses and more. Commercial buildings often present challenges with energy inefficiency due to outdated equipment, poor maintenance or systems that do not reflect usage requirements.

According to the UK Green Building Council, 19% of the UK’s carbon footprint is attributed to heating, cooling and powering buildings. This statistic highlights the need for organisations to be aware of energy management in their commercial buildings.

Commercial buildings usually consume energy in the following ways:

• Operating lifts
• Lighting
• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)
• Office equipment
• Water heating
• Refrigeration
• Security and fire protection systems

Companies need to understand where, when, and why energy is being used so that inefficiencies can be identified and addressed without compromising comfort, safety, or business operations. Organisations are actively hiring energy professionals such as Energy Analysts, Sustainability Managers and Building Performance Engineers to track and analyse energy consumption and recommend improvements.

Why is energy management in commercial buildings important?

Commercial energy management is important because it enables organisations to reduce operating costs, improve energy efficiency, and achieve sustainability objectives.

Supports sustainability and Net Zero goals

Reducing energy consumption is one of the most effective ways businesses can lower their carbon emissions. As the UK approaches the 2050 Net Zero target, organisations are under increasing pressure from regulators, clients, investors and employees to be more transparent about their sustainability and demonstrate real action to improve it.

Energy management in commercial buildings is a process that allows companies to measure their carbon footprint and track improvements over time. This can reduce wasted energy and increase efficiencies, which can help businesses make real progress towards their environmental goals.

Reduces energy costs

Since the energy crisis of 2022, energy prices have skyrocketed and remain volatile, making cost control a major concern for UK organisations. Effective energy management enables businesses to understand where and when energy is being used and helps identify areas of unnecessary consumption.

Making adjustments to lower energy consumption, such as turning off heating and lighting in unoccupied areas or during low occupancy times, can translate to lower utility bills.

Attractive to investors

Meeting sustainability objectives is becoming increasingly important for organisations, as strong environmental performance can improve their attractiveness to clients, investors and stakeholders. Companies that demonstrate a commitment to reducing their carbon footprint through improved energy management may be viewed more favourably during investor discussions and procurement decisions. For example, PwC found that 79% of investors take a company’s ESG (environmental, social and governance) into account when making decisions.

Meets changing regulations

Tightening regulations have also made energy management in commercial buildings increasingly important. Regulations such as the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards require all non-domestic buildings above 1,000 square metres to have an EPC of B or higher by 2031. If this standard is not met, it could affect the building’s asset value and ability to be let out to tenants. Other regulations include the introduction of the 2019 Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting (SECR), in which large companies have to report on energy use and carbon emissions within their annual accounts.

This demonstrates the UK Government’s commitment to improving energy efficiency in commercial properties to reduce reliance on energy and meet Net Zero goals. Businesses can get ahead of these changes by engaging Energy Consultants and Energy Managers who can assess compliance with these evolving regulations and develop strategies to enhance energy performance.

The growing demand for energy management professionals

So that organisations can manage their energy effectively, many hire energy and sustainability professionals to monitor and analyse their energy consumption and offer improvements.

The most in-demand sustainability professionals in commercial environments include:

Energy Analysts – monitor and analyse consumption to identify opportunities for reducing usage, costs and carbon emissions.

Energy Consultants – advise on how to improve energy efficiency, lower costs, and meet sustainability and regulatory standards.

Energy Engineers – design, implement and optimise energy systems and technologies to improve building energy performance.

Sustainability Managers – develop and lead sustainability strategies to reduce environmental impact while supporting business objectives.

BMS Engineers – install, programme, optimise and maintain Building Management Systems (BMS) to control building services such as HVAC, lighting, and energy use.

Facilities Managers – oversees the operation, maintenance, safety and efficiency of buildings and facilities to ensure they are functional, compliant and cost-effective.

How can businesses manage energy efficiently?

Effective energy management in commercial buildings requires a combination of regular monitoring, investment in technology, strategic planning and employee engagement.

Conduct an energy audit

An energy audit, conducted by an Energy Consultant, is a vital way for businesses to understand how their electricity is currently being used. An energy audit provides a detailed assessment of where energy is consumed throughout a building and identifies areas of unnecessary waste.

An audit can reveal issues such as systems operating outside business hours, poor insulation, inefficient lighting systems or ageing HVAC equipment. With this information, businesses can prioritise where to make improvements.

Install smart energy monitoring systems

Smart meters and energy monitoring systems provide real-time insights into electricity, gas and water consumption. Modern building management systems (BMS) can monitor different areas of a building individually, allowing Energy Managers and BMS Engineers to compare departments, floors or equipment to identify where improvements can be made.

Data-driven evidence also makes it easier to measure the success of any energy improvements and enables organisations to demonstrate their progress towards sustainability goals.

Upgrade lighting systems

Lighting is a significant drain on a commercial building’s electricity use, and it is often the first area businesses address when reviewing their energy management.

Organisations can look to improve their sustainability through:

• Replacing traditional lighting with LED technology

• Installing motion sensors in areas with fewer people, such as in meeting rooms, corridors and bathrooms
• Investing in daylight sensors that adjust lighting levels automatically

These upgrades can be managed by Electrical Engineers or Building Services Engineers to ensure lighting systems remain efficient, in line with regulations, and fit-for-purpose.

Improve HVAC efficiency

Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are another large source of energy consumption in commercial buildings. Regular servicing of boilers, air conditioning units and heaters ensures equipment continues to operate efficiently. BMS Engineers or Building Performance Engineers can review whether there is any unnecessary usage, such as systems set to come online at a specific time each day, regardless of whether anyone is in the building.

Optimise building systems

Many commercial buildings already have control systems in place such as Building Management Systems (BMS). BMS can automate lighting, heating, cooling and ventilation based on occupancy, weather conditions and operating hours. BMS Engineers or Control Engineers who review these settings regularly ensure that these systems reflect how the building is actually used.

Invest in renewable energy

Another way energy management in commercial buildings can be improved is by engaging Energy Consultants to explore how the business can utilise renewable energy. Depending on the property, solar panels, battery storage systems, or heat pumps can be fitted to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and the national grid. This can also help businesses lower their carbon emissions.

Encourage employee engagement

In order to reduce energy consumption successfully, businesses need to have employee buy-in and encourage them to support energy management initiatives. This is vital as staff can make a difference by:

• Turning off equipment when not in use
• Turning off lights when everyone leaves the office
• Ensuring heating and air conditioning are only used appropriately
• Reporting maintenance issues promptly
• Using dishwashers only when full

Businesses that regularly communicate about energy-saving initiatives and share progress help create a positive, environmentally friendly culture.

The future of energy management

Technology is transforming energy management in commercial buildings, increasing demand for skilled professionals who can harness digital technologies to improve building performance. As organisations invest in AI, machine learning and the Internet of Things (IoT), employers are increasingly recruiting Energy Data Analysts, Building Management System (BMS) Engineers, Energy Managers, Building Performance Engineers and Smart Buildings Specialists to implement intelligent energy solutions.

Additionally, modern energy management platforms can predict energy demand, automatically adjust building systems, and identify equipment faults promptly. These advancements require professionals who can interpret complex data, manage smart technologies and turn insights into practical energy-saving strategies.

Organisations that invest in energy management and recruit the right expertise will be better positioned to adapt to future regulations, manage rising energy costs and meet growing stakeholder expectations around sustainability.

Looking to hire energy management professionals?

VIQU Energy are energy management and sustainability recruitment specialists who are experts in securing the professionals businesses need. If you are looking to hire top energy management talent for your company, click here to get in touch with the team.