How to Achieve Energy Savings in Facilities Management [Guide]

Facility Managers are under increasing pressure to operate more efficiently. Rising costs, tightening regulations, and climate commitments are reshaping priorities across the Facilities Management (FM) industry. 

Our new white paper, From Insight to Action: Maximizing Efficiency in Facilities through Energy Management Systems, explores how advanced Energy Management Systems (EMS) like Spacewell Energy can help Facility Managers cut energy costs, improve operational performance, and meet compliance with evolving standards like ESOS in the UK and ISO 50001 internationally. 

The Facilities Management Industry in the UK 

Given that Facilities Management accounts for 10-25% of overall indirect spending in certain organizations, the focus on these services remains extremely important. 

According to Frost & Sullivan, the UK’s facilities management industry witnessed a growth rate of almost 5% in 2022, with a projected expansion along the same lines for the last years. While this growth might seem positive on the surface, there are concerns due to rising costs affecting both clients and service providers, much of which is a consequence of inflation. 

Energy has become a strategic business issue. Effective energy management is no longer optional—it’s essential. 

Facility Managers are increasingly required to: 

• Reduce operating expenses 

• Comply with energy efficiency legislation 

• Demonstrate measurable progress on sustainability goals 

But tackling these objectives manually or using legacy systems is time-consuming and error prone. 

It’s Time to Plan Ahead for Energy Management 

Every Facilities Manager needs a structured plan to address challenges, often driven by compliance with statutory and policy requirements. 

For successful energy management, a systematic process aided by technology is essential to assess energy usage comprehensively. Through monitoring and analysis, facility managers can identify various opportunities for making enhancements that lead to greater efficiency and reduced waste. 

The ISO 50001 standard, the global benchmark for Energy Management, adopts the “plan, do, check, act” model, commonly used in engineering for driving enhancements. 

Still, facilities managers should understand that energy management lacks a one-size-fits-all solution. According to the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), an effective system should: 

• have appropriate policies in place and include processes that employ a wide variety of tools, all of which have been adapted for the local needs of the business; 
• reflect strategic direction; 
• include procedures that make the best use of resources; 
• have clear aims and objectives that are quantifiable and are ‘SMART’ in nature; and 
• be flexible enough so that it is adaptable in response to changes in use, changes to the overall size of the estate, or changes to occupancy. 

As ESOS shines a spotlight on energy consumption, it prompts Facilities Managers to explore innovative solutions for enhanced efficiency. This brings us to the realm of Energy Management Systems (EMS).  

These systems, such as the Spacewell Energy Platform, are becoming increasingly relevant as they empower facility managers to not only comply with ESOS but also proactively monitor and regulate energy consumption within their buildings or organizations, promoting more efficient use of energy resources. Let’s now delve into the capabilities of these systems in greater detail. 

A Closer Look at Energy Management Systems 

Modern Energy Management Systems (EMS), like Spacewell Energy, make it easier to monitor, analyze, and optimize energy use across your facility or portfolio. 

These systems support: 

• Real-time energy monitoring 

• Faster and more straightforward energy audits 

• Cost allocation by building, zone, or equipment 

• Automated reporting for compliance (e.g., ESOS, ISO 50001) 

• Anomaly detection and predictive maintenance 

From Insight to Action: Start Your EMS Journey 

Adopting an Energy Management System is one of the fastest, most measurable ways to improve efficiency and lower your environmental impact. 

Whether you’re managing a university campus, office spaces, or public facility, Spacewell Energy gives you the insights and analysis to reduce costs and build long-term resilience. Read the Energy Savings in Facilities Management Guide today.