INDUSTRY COMMENT
2025 set to be challenging yet successful for building controls industry
At the start of a new year, thoughts inevitably turn to the future. BCIA president Stacey Lucas says with that in mind, it’s important to acknowledge the ongoing reform, in areas such as construction and skills, that will impact the future of the building controls industry in 2025 and beyond.
A
t the heart of helping the UK to decarbonise buildings, the building controls and BEMS sector outlook is promising. The recently elected Labour government is committing
to regulatory and fiscal changes that will undoubtedly have implications for the industry – so it’s important everyone involved understands and prepares for them. Indeed, the Growth and Skills Levy introduced by the new Labour government could play a pivotal role in the development and improvement of the building controls sector in the future. In fact, with an aim to boost growth across the UK and support people to get better jobs, the programme could prove a vital boon in the drive to attract and retain more talented professionals in the industry. For anyone working in the sector, these changes will see an increased importance in investing in not only
recruitment strategies but also apprenticeship schemes and the nurturing of talent throughout their careers. Fostering partnerships with educational institutions could also play a vital role in this regard.
The welcome news that T-levels are here to stay provides a valuable pathway for young people with an already established interest in building services engineering and digital to progress their career in building controls. Indeed, this initiative could provide a boost to the sector, and indeed the built environment as a whole, so proactive engagement with these new policies and practices will be essential. A tightening of the Building Regulations will aim to make new homes and buildings more energy efficient and reduce the use of fossil fuels. As well as mandating that buildings should be future-proofed through the utilisation of energy efficient products, materials, and systems, the FHBS will ensure new buildings are designed to be ‘Net Zero ready’, achieving zero carbon emissions when the electricity grid is fully decarbonised.
Of course, we hope these standards will
increase the importance of building controls and the design and construction of smart buildings across the UK. With building controls and building energy management systems (BEMS) able to significantly reduce energy consumption, save vital expenditure on energy bills, and decrease the built environment’s carbon emissions, they could be a highly useful and attractive tool for building owners, property developers, and occupants wanting cheaper,
healthier, and more sustainable buildings. The 2023 changes to the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) and anticipated further changes still to be consulted on, will also increase the pressure on property owners and developers to improve the UK building stock’s energy efficiency. Currently requiring an EPC C, indications suggest that landlords of residential and commercial properties are now likely to have until just 2030 to achieve Energy higher Performance Certificates (EPC) ratings. This is a hugely impactful update, given that
recent data from EG revealed that around 95.6 million sq. ft. of commercial space could fail to meet those regulations. Landlords and owners of older and less energy efficient commercial buildings may also have concerns over the cost of necessary upgrades, whether that’s heat pumps, new boilers, insulation, or double glazing. The installation of smart and modern BEMS can provide landlords and building owners with the ideal solution, thanks to the lack of lengthy and disruptive renovations needed. This will enable them to improve energy efficiency while reducing consumption, cutting down carbon emissions, and saving money on energy bills.
While the need for smarter buildings and the use of building controls is ever-increasing, there is still a lack of awareness of the benefits of technology such as BEMS. Knowledge is improving, but there’s still a significant journey ahead. Industry leaders must improve the knowledge of those in the sector and ensure an increased adoption of such vital technology.
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08/04/2024 15:29:50 11/12/24 16:47 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER JANUARY 2025 7
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