A typical energy management system (EMS) is used to control and optimize energy usage in large buildings like schools, hospitals, and factories.

Commercial energy management is a system used by electricity grid operators to control and optimise the energy usage of devices such as HVAC, fans, pumps, lighting, etc. that are commonly found in larger buildings such as schools, hospitals, and factories.

In the face of rising energy costs in Ireland, building and property owners are seeking to increase the efficiency of their overall infrastructure in order to minimise their environmental impact while simultaneously increasing their income. The introduction of an energy management system could be a solution that would enable property owners to track, monitor, and manage the energy usage of their building.

Taking a closer look at the benefits of an energy management system, we see that:

1. Reduced Costs

Reduced operational costs, such as heating, cooling, lighting, and water services, are a major benefit of implementing a facilities management system. With an energy management system you can continuously track your energy usage over time and store this data so that you can have constant access to your building’s historical energy performance and make predictions about future energy usage.

One way to reduce your current operational costs is by introducing an EMS. Studies have shown that businesses can save up to almost 40% on average over the course of a year through EMS implementation.

2. Lower Carbon Footprint

Your property’s carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted by our actions and is directly linked to the amount of energy it consumes. It can be beneficial to have a system in place to measure and control this continuously so that deficiencies in your energy system can be corrected to minimize your environmental impact.

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the building and construction industries account for 30% of global energy consumption and almost 40% of carbon emissions. Many governments around the world are considering ways to reduce overall emissions, so energy-reduction strategies are more important than ever as studies suggest that smart energy controls such as Energy Management Systems can reduce worldwide buildings’ energy consumption by 10% by 2040.

3. Enhanced Wellbeing and Productivity

An EMS is also capable of controlling all aspects of your building’s energy performance, such as HVAC and lighting, enabling you to create a comfortable working environment for your staff. According to research, 60% of employees are dissatisfied with the temperature and lighting control in their office environment, which has negatively impacted productivity, with at least 90% of employees affected over the course of one year.

Through energy-efficient measures implemented in your building, an energy management system can help reduce your building’s carbon footprint. Today, as people become more environmentally conscious, improving your building’s energy management is a modern method of increasing employee satisfaction.