Why We're Seeing More Businesses Focus on Building Controls
Over the last 12 months, one thing has become increasingly clear: businesses are paying much closer attention to how their buildings consume energy.
At CMS, we've seen this first-hand through the growth of our BeMS & Electrical Division. Since September, we've expanded the team significantly, welcoming Liam Hall, Stevie Hall and Phil Bell, alongside two Control Systems Engineers who have progressed internally into the division.
As demand for building controls, system optimisation, and energy management continues to grow, we've been delivering an increasing number of projects focused on helping clients improve building performance and reduce unnecessary energy consumption.
One of the most common issues we encounter isn't failing equipment - It's poorly optimised control settings.
Research highlighted by the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) found that advanced building controls and Building Energy Management Systems (BeMS) can reduce energy consumption by between 20% and 50%, depending on building type and system integration. - https://www.voltimum.co.uk/news/bcia/bems-how-smart-building-controls-cut-energy-use-by-up-to-50
The Problem Isn't Always the Equipment
Many commercial buildings have perfectly capable HVAC and mechanical systems installed.
The challenge is often how those systems are being controlled.
Over the years, buildings change. Occupancy patterns evolve, operating hours shift, and spaces are repurposed. However, the building controls aren't always updated to reflect those changes.
As a result, systems may continue heating, cooling, or ventilating areas long after the original settings stopped making sense.
It's not unusual for buildings to be wasting energy every day without facilities teams being aware of it.
"From a carbon abatement perspective, building controls also compare favourably with other low-carbon technologies. The research shows that advanced BEMS can deliver carbon reductions at a cost of £224 per tonne of CO₂e abated, making them one of the most economically efficient measures available for improving building performance." https://www.voltimum.co.uk/news/bcia/bems-how-smart-building-controls-cut-energy-use-by-up-to-50
What We See During BeMS Maintenance
As our BeMS team has grown, we've had the opportunity to support more clients with control system reviews, optimisation projects, and energy reduction initiatives.
A recurring theme is that many buildings already have the technology required to operate efficiently.
The issue is often that control strategies haven't been reviewed for years.
Common examples include:
- HVAC systems running outside occupancy hours.
- Heating and cooling operating simultaneously.
- Incorrect temperature setpoints.
- Control schedules no longer matching building usage.
- Building systems working harder than necessary.
Individually, these issues may seem small. Across an entire estate, however, they can have a significant impact on both energy consumption and operating costs.
Why BeMS Is Becoming More Important
As energy costs remain a key concern for businesses, building controls are becoming increasingly valuable.
A modern BeMS provides facilities teams with greater visibility of how a building is performing and allows systems to respond more intelligently to actual demand.
This is one of the reasons we've continued investing heavily in the division and strengthening relationships with leading manufacturers and technology partners.
We're proud to have become an official Siemens Solution Partner ( https://www.siemens.com/en-us/content/smart-building-infrastructure/ ) and members of the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) (https://bcia.co.uk) , while also developing strong partnerships with Belimo, Forest Rock and Western Automation.
These partnerships allow us to deliver smarter, more innovative building control solutions that help clients improve efficiency and optimise building performance.
"Evidence submitted to Parliament by the BCIA states that intelligent building control systems can deliver up to 30% energy savings in non-domestic buildings by monitoring and optimising HVAC, lighting, and electrical systems." https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/140092/html/
With around 80% of the buildings that will exist in 2050 already built, improving how existing buildings operate will be essential if the UK is to achieve its net zero targets.
Find out more about BeMS here - https://www.cmsltd.co.uk/bems-services
Weather Compensation: A Simple Change That Can Deliver Big Results
One area where we're seeing increasing interest is weather compensation.
Many buildings continue operating using fixed heating and cooling outputs regardless of external conditions.
A properly configured control strategy can automatically adjust system performance based on outdoor temperatures, helping reduce energy consumption while maintaining comfortable internal environments.
It's a relatively simple concept, but one that continues to be underutilised across many commercial buildings.
As businesses look for practical ways to improve efficiency without major capital expenditure, weather compensation is becoming an increasingly valuable tool.
The Opportunity Often Already Exists
One of the biggest misconceptions around energy efficiency is that it always requires significant investment.
In reality, many buildings already have the infrastructure needed to operate more efficiently.
The opportunity often lies in understanding how systems are performing and ensuring controls are configured to support the building's actual operational requirements.
Sometimes, the greatest savings come from optimising what already exists.
How CMS Supports Building Performance
Our BeMS team works with organisations across the UK to design, optimise, maintain, and support intelligent building control systems.
Whether it's reviewing existing control strategies, implementing weather compensation, improving HVAC performance, or providing ongoing support and maintenance, our goal is simple: helping clients gain greater control over their buildings while reducing unnecessary energy waste.
With continued investment in our people, partnerships, and technical capabilities, we're excited about the future of the division and the opportunities ahead.
Contact us today - https://www.cmsltd.co.uk/contact-us
