Smart building controls for energy savings and cost reduction: How ETL listed products can help your business
Optimise energy use and stay compliant with smart building controls
The built environment is a major contributor to global carbon emissions, accounting for up to 40% of total CO2 emissions1, with building operations alone responsible for around 27% of the total. From offices and universities to shopping centres and warehouses, the energy required to heat, cool, light, and ventilate these spaces continues to place pressure on both budgets and the environment.
Office buildings play a particularly significant role. Despite the shift towards hybrid working, the office remains the most common workspace in the UK. With over a quarter of the workforce in professional roles in 20212, creating more sustainable and comfortable office spaces remains a key priority for developers, landlords and tenants alike.
For those designing, specifying or supplying solutions for commercial buildings, smart building controls provide a proven method to reduce energy use, lower costs and enhance comfort. They also help clients futureproof their assets, meet net zero targets and comply with evolving sustainability regulations.
What are smart building controls?
Smart building controls automate the operation of key systems such as lighting, heating, ventilation and access control. These systems use a network of sensors and Internet of Things (IoT) devices to collect real-time data on factors like occupancy, temperature and energy use.
This data is processed by a central system that applies control logic, data analytics and artificial intelligence to optimise performance. For example, lighting can be automatically dimmed based on daylight levels, or heating can be reduced in unoccupied zones. The result is more efficient energy use, improved comfort and lower costs.
For building managers and facilities teams, smart controls also enable early detection of maintenance issues and provide data insights to support better operational decisions. For designers, specifiers and purchasers, these controls offer a reliable way to meet sustainability and energy performance goals.
The numbers tell a story
The statistics surrounding smart building controls underscore their transformative potential. The UK Green Building Council estimates3 that operational emissions, including energy for heating, cooling and powering facilities, comprise about 25% of the country’s overall carbon footprint. Yet, as of 2023, only 34% of UK businesses4 had integrated smart technology within their buildings.
Globally, the smart building market is projected to leap from roughly $80.6 billion today to an astonishing $328.6 billion by 20295. As competition drives innovation, reductions in the cost of IoT chips and modern building management systems are making retrofits more cost-effective. In contrast, properties with poor environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards may face what is known as a "brown discount" which refers to a reduction in asset value due to poor energy performance. Over time, the cost of bringing these buildings up to regulatory and market expectations can become so high that they risk becoming financially unviable.
A deep dive into the benefits
Smart building controls offer substantial benefits, extending far beyond energy savings. With regulations tightening, such as the UK’s Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards6 (MEES) and the anticipated response to the 2025 consultation, futureproofing buildings has never been more critical. Many properties face the risk of not meeting the 2030 EPC B rating requirement, which could negatively impact asset value and lettability.
Additionally, regulations like the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS)7 and the Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting Scheme (SECR)8 require eligible businesses within their scope to monitor and report on energy consumption and carbon emissions. Smart building controls facilitate compliance by providing accurate data on energy use and system performance. Integrated monitoring and reporting features in many systems simplify the process of ESOS energy profiling and SECR carbon footprint reporting, making compliance easier while supporting sustainability goals.
The importance of futureproofing is further highlighted by the Future Buildings Standard9, which requires all new non-domestic buildings in England to be highly efficient and zero carbon ready. Similarly, the UK Green Building Council’s Whole Life Carbon Roadmap10 also targets a 49% reduction in non-domestic energy intensity by 2040.
Smart building controls can support these goals by reducing operational emissions and improving performance. For example, the autonomous control of HVAC systems alone can deliver energy savings of up to 40%11. Broader research by the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) in the USA suggests that properly tuned, currently available smart controls could reduce energy use across commercial buildings by approximately 29%12. For developers and asset managers, smart building controls offer long-term value, enhanced tenant appeal and a strong return on investment.
Lighting, in particular, plays a significant role in enhancing occupant comfort and productivity. Smart lighting controls that adjust based on occupancy or natural light levels contribute to energy efficiency and a better work environment.
For more insights on how lighting can enhance workspaces, read our interview with Kristina Allison, Environmental, Sustainability and Net Zero Lighting Capability Lead at professional services firm WSP and the President of the Society of Light and Lighting (SLL).
The growing urgency for smart building controls
As the demand for energy efficient, low-carbon buildings intensifies, the role of smart building controls is becoming ever more critical. Stacey Lucas, President of the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA), revealed how increasingly climate conscious property owners and a sharpening focus on sustainability is heightening the need for building controls and smarter buildings. She said:
“Building designers, architects, and property developers are under increasing pressure to design and build properties to meet the ever-demanding needs of owners and occupants. However, while the properties of today are far more technologically advanced than decades ago, this brings with it an increase in carbon emissions. So, it’s no surprise to discover the built environment accounts for up to 40% of the total CO2 emissions.
This is exacerbating the need for those overseeing building management to utilise the latest in smart building controls. Seamlessly integrated into the building’s infrastructure, building energy management systems (BEMS) will monitor, control and optimise how that building performs – providing real-time data to help owners reduce operating costs and energy consumption, meet net zero targets, and comply with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) targets. All while improving the comfort, wellbeing, and productivity of the building’s occupants.
This is supported by the Climate Change Committee’s (CCC) recent recommendations for its Seventh Carbon Budget (CB7). This suggested building energy management systems will account for up to 60% of energy efficiency reductions in the balanced pathway. It illustrates just how vital building controls and automation will be in the coming years and the crucial role it will play in decarbonising the UK building stock and ensuring a greener and brighter future for all.”
Smart building controls and the ETL
Smart building controls offer a practical route to better energy performance, and the ETL helps you identify independently verified, top-performing energy efficient technologies. Products listed on the ETL undergo stringent assessment, ensuring they meet defined performance criteria and comply with the latest standards and regulations. This provides confidence for purchasers, designers and specifiers selecting products, and gives manufacturers a recognised platform to showcase innovative, standards-compliant products.
Several categories of smart building controls are covered by the ETL:
Energy Monitoring
The Energy Monitoring category lists technologies which help businesses identify opportunities to reduce energy costs and pinpoint areas of energy waste.
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Automatic Monitoring & Targeting (aM&T) Sub-metering Systems
These systems help users track and reduce energy use by monitoring consumption patterns and identifying inefficiencies.
View listed products › -
Portable Energy Monitoring Equipment
Designed for temporary use across different sites, these tools provide detailed insight into energy use, helping to support ongoing improvements and validate other energy-saving investments.
View listed products › -
Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS)
BEMS provide centralised monitoring and control of energy use, helping building operators to reduce unnecessary consumption. Products may include hardware, software or integrated systems. We recently welcomed our first ETL-listed BEMS product from HeatingSave.
View listed product ›
HVAC Building Controls
HVAC Building Controls, part of the HVAC Equipment category on the ETL, manage hydronic and electric heating and chilled water systems using temperature sensors and set-points. Features typically include activity sensing, frost protection, temporary overrides and weather compensation. ETL-compliant products often include an optimum start function, helping systems reach the desired temperature by occupancy time.
For example, HeatingSave’s HVAC building control system, listed on the ETL, helped the Coplow Centre achieve a 51% reduction in gas bills. The system also cut 90% of the time it takes to heat the community hall. By integrating temperature sensors and a programmable heating schedule, the centre was able to optimise energy use while maintaining a comfortable indoor environment. This case study highlights the real-world impact of smart HVAC controls in reducing operational costs and improving efficiency.
Building Lighting Controls
Building Lighting Controls reduce energy consumption by automatically adjusting lighting levels based on occupancy and natural light. The ETL covers two types of systems in this category:
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Presence detectors with associated controllers that monitor occupancy or movement and automatically switch off or dim lighting when an area is unoccupied.
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Daylight detectors with associated dimming controllers that adjust artificial lighting in response to available daylight, reducing power use while maintaining adequate illumination.
These technologies not only lower electricity costs but also contribute to more comfortable and productive indoor environments.
The ETL recently welcomed its first listed Building Lighting Controls product from Enlighted Inc. This presence detector helps users manage energy use more efficiently by ensuring lighting is only active when needed.
Smarter building choices start with the ETL
As energy performance and environmental responsibility rise up the agenda, smart building controls offer a practical and effective solution. They help reduce emissions, cut costs and create more efficient, comfortable spaces for the people who use them.
For designers and specifiers, these technologies provide a reliable way to meet energy efficiency standards and deliver added value to clients. For manufacturers, they represent a fast-growing market for innovative, standards-compliant products. And for building owners and facilities teams, they offer better oversight, improved comfort and measurable returns on investment.
The ETL makes it easier to identify trusted solutions that deliver energy savings. Whether you're specifying a new system, reviewing your building’s performance, or bringing a new product to market, the ETL is a trusted source to help you make informed, energy-smart decisions.
Explore a wide range of independently assessed smart building controls and other energy-saving technologies on the ETL product list.
Are you a manufacturer of smart building controls? We're actively looking to expand the Energy Technology List in the following areas: energy efficient lighting, energy monitoring technologies, building lighting controls, and HVAC building controls. If your products meet the eligibility criteria, watch our short video guide on how to apply, and start your application today.
Questions? Contact us at info@etl.energysecurity.gov.uk to explore how the ETL can get you closer to a net zero reality.
The Building Controls Industry Association represents 195 members who deliver the technology to create healthy buildings, through whole-life building and energy management solutions. Visit their website to learn more about how smart controls are shaping the future of energy efficient buildings.
1 https://www.architecture2030.org/why-the-built-environment/
2 Employment by occupation - GOV.UK Ethnicity facts and figures
3 Employment by occupation - GOV.UK Ethnicity facts and figures
4 https://ww3.rics.org/uk/en/journals/property-journal/why-invest-in-smart-buildings.html
5 https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/smart-building-market-101198
6 Non-domestic Private Rented Sector minimum energy efficiency standards: EPC B implementation - GOV.UK
7 Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) - GOV.UK
8 Environmental reporting guidelines: including Streamlined Energy and Carbon Reporting requirements - GOV.UK
9 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/environmental-reporting-guidelines-including-mandatory-greenhouse-gas-emissions-reporting-guidance
10 https://ukgbc.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/UKGBC-Whole-Life-Carbon-Roadmap-A-Pathway-to-Net-Zero.pdf