Energy efficiency

If we are to succeed with our climate goals, the real estate industry has to use energy far more efficient and smarter than today. With the insight in a buildings actual consumption, you're able to:

Identify waste and unintended consumption
Implement the most cost-effective measures to reduce consumption
Document energy savings in a reliable way for reporting
Optimize routines and operations

Energy efficiency first

The EU Energy Efficiency Directive, part of the EU Green Deal, introduces the principle of “Energy Efficiency First”—which aims reduce energy consumption in a cost-effective way, and avoid investments in stranded assets – infrastructure that risks becoming obsolete.

This principle is reflected in both the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the EU Taxonomy, which incentivize energy-efficient investments.

For businesses and property owners, energy efficiency is no longer just about reducing costs – it's imperative to meet stricter regulations, secure access to finance, and appeal to an increasingly sustainability-focused tenant market.

🔎 Read more: Energy efficiency: where to begin?

From principle to action

To make energy efficiency more than just a goal on paper, measures must be targeted and measurable—and this is where energy data plays a crucial role. Without insight into where, when, and how energy is used, it becomes difficult to identify opportunities for improvement or document actual impact. The better your understanding of consumption patterns, the easier it is to make the right decisions and implement the most effective measures.

Energy consumption data provides insights into:

Where energy is being wasted – Identifying buildings, zones, or systems with excessive consumption
Which measures actually work – Understanding what delivers results and what fails to meet expectations.
The link between energy use and climate goals – Essential for reporting and sustainability strategies.

By combining energy data with smart control systems and automated adjustments for heating, ventilation, and lighting, energy consumption can be significantly reduced—without compromising comfort or operations.

Lack of control – the most common energy thief

One of the biggest challenges in energy efficiency is the lack of control and insight. How do you know whether your snow-melting systems are running in July, or if heating and ventilation systems are working against each other? These problems are more common than you might think – but with the right data, they are easily detected.

In older buildings, outdated infrastructure, inefficient systems, and solutions that no longer match today’s usage patterns are common. Over the years, buildings have changed owners, purposes, and undergone various upgrades—often without a cohesive strategy. The result? An energy system where no one fully understands what is consuming energy, when, or why. That’s why the first step toward energy efficiency is gaining full visibility into the current state of operations.

🔎 Learn how an 80's building reduced energy consumption by half

But this isn’t just a challenge for older buildings. Many assume that technology in new buildings automatically ensures energy efficiency. The reality? Some of the most severe operational failures happen in newly built properties.

The more meters and sensors a building has, the more potential error points exist. And often, those managing the building lack the same level of expertise and system knowledge as those who originally designed and implemented them. Complex technical systems combined with poor documentation make it difficult to know whether everything is working as intended. The result? A lack of control and energy consumption far exceeding expectations.