MAINTENANCE & REFURBISHMENT
Building services: the engine room of public sector retrofit
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From hospitals and schools to libraries and civic buildings, the need for refurbishment and energy upgrades has never been more urgent. For building services professionals, this is a pivotal moment: the sector’s expertise is central to delivering sustainable, resilient, and efficient public buildings that support essential services and meet ambitious carbon reduction targets. Kevin McGuane, energy services director for DMA Group, looks at the challenge and its solutions
any public sector buildings have suffered from years of reactive maintenance and underinvestment. These legacy issues are not just technical
headaches, they directly affect the quality of healthcare, education, and community services. For example, in schools, factors like temperature stability, lighting quality, and air quality - core building services functions - are proven to influence learning outcomes and wellbeing, arguably supporting (or hindering) the success of future generations.
The challenge is compounded by the diversity of the public estate. Multi-site trusts, local authorities, and NHS bodies must juggle asset protection, energy efficiency, and operational continuity, often across dozens of buildings with varying needs. Strategic planning, supported by digital innovation, is essential to manage this complexity.
Quick wins - such as upgrading to LED lighting,
Government action: funding the next generation of upgrades
Recognising the scale of the challenge, the UK government has committed over £630 million to energy upgrades for public buildings. This funding will support the installation of heat pumps, solar panels, insulation, and advanced controls in schools, hospitals, leisure centres, and more. The aim: to cut energy bills, reduce carbon emissions, and free up resources for frontline services. The government estimates these measures will save taxpayers around £650 million a year on average to 2037, while supporting the transition to net zero. Projects already underway include the installation of heat pumps in leisure centres, solar panels on council buildings, and the replacement of fossil fuel heating in NHS facilities, upgrades that will future-proof the public estate, while demonstrating leadership in sustainable building services.
The right approach to sustainable upgrades
For building services teams, successful retrofit starts with a clear understanding of existing conditions. Comprehensive energy audits are the foundation, providing data on where energy is being wasted and where the quickest, most cost-effective improvements can be made. Establishing a performance baseline enables targeted interventions and phased investment, ensuring that limited budgets deliver maximum impact.
improving insulation, and optimising controls - can deliver immediate savings. These savings can then be reinvested in more complex and expensive measures, creating a self-sustaining cycle of improvement. Where suitable, we always recommend the addition of solar PV and battery storage. Falling hardware costs, combined with rising energy prices mean return on investment is swift.
The central role of controls
Building Management Systems (BMS) are a critical focus for successful retrofit programmes. Even simple adjustments, like refining heating schedules or ensuring occupancy sensors are present and/or are working, can yield significant energy savings and improve occupant comfort. In large or multi-occupancy buildings, small inefficiencies can quickly add up to substantial costs. Data-driven decision-making, based on real-time insights and long-term trends, is essential for continuous operational improvement.
Maintaining service continuity
One of the unique challenges in the public sector is the need to upgrade buildings without disrupting essential services. This requires meticulous planning, phased works, and close collaboration with building users. By sequencing activities based on building usage - during summer holidays in the case of schools, for example - and focusing on high-return areas, estate managers can maintain service continuity while steadily improving building performance.
Embracing digital transformation
Digital tools, powered by AI, are transforming the building services and maintenance sector. Modern platforms offer live data visibility for asset tracking, workflow management, and predictive maintenance. These technologies enable real-time decision-making, smart scheduling, and more efficient use of engineering resources. The result: lower costs, reduced emissions, and a better environment for staff and users. At Leigh Academies Trust (LAT), DMA’s self-developed award-winning service and maintenance management platform BiO®, has digitised estate management across 32 sites, supporting over 20,000 students and tracking 6,400 assets in real time. With live information accessible through live dashboards, estates teams have a clear overview of the entire LAT portfolio. Digital transformation is not a quick fix, however. It requires investment in both technology and data quality. Accurate, relevant data is the foundation for effective AI- driven maintenance and energy management.
Sustainable buildings, improved public services
The public sector retrofit challenge is significant, but building services professionals are uniquely positioned to lead the way. By adopting a staged, data-driven approach, public sector estates can achieve sustainable, cost-effective upgrades while keeping and even improving vital services.
24 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2026
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