FACILITIES MANAGEMENT
SMARTER FACILITIES MANAGEMENT Clive Bodenham, founder
of Clarke Controls, examines why smarter energy
management is an essential tool for facilities managers
D
o more with less – it’s a common refrain that I’m sure many facilities managers
recognise all too well! With energy costs fluctuating, sustainability targets tightening and ageing infrastructure to contend with, managing energy across commercial and industrial estates has become a complex balancing act. Thankfully, there are solutions out there that
are both practical and transformative – like Energy Management Systems (EMS). Designed to reduce heating costs and carbon emissions by up to 25%, a modern EMS gives facilities teams real-time control and insight over energy use – without the need for high capital expenditure or disruptive upgrades. As the founder of Clarke Controls, I’ve spent
over two decades helping organisations across the UK integrate EMS solutions into their buildings. The results speak for themselves – lower bills, improved comfort, and smarter estates that are easier to manage and provide year-on-year savings.
WHAT IS AN EMS? An Energy Management System is a cloud-based platform that monitors, controls and optimises heating performance across a building, or multiple buildings, in real time. It offers far greater visibility and control than traditional heating controls or standard building management systems (BMS). While a BMS may oversee lighting, ventilation
and security, an EMS is focused specifically on energy optimisation. That singular focus makes it more effective for identifying inefficiencies, zoning spaces and reducing waste. Plus, an EMS can be easily layered onto
existing systems. It doesn’t require a full rip-out or high-spec overhaul – meaning facilities managers can start saving energy and emissions almost immediately.
PRACTICAL BENEFITS FOR FACILITIES MANAGERS 1. Reduce heating and gas bills across multiple buildings Heating often accounts for 50-75% of total energy use in commercial buildings, with warehouses, showrooms and large retail units towards the top end of those figures. A smart EMS allows you to divide buildings into zones, so heating is only delivered where and when it’s needed. Historically, our clients can save up to 25% on
their energy bills year-on-year. In one recent case study, our EMS paid for itself in just four months thanks to the savings we’d made.
www.essmag.co.uk
2. Integrate with existing BMS infrastructure Many facilities teams worry that improving energy efficiency means costly upgrades. That’s not the case with an EMS, which will integrate with your current heating infrastructure and BMS, allowing you to modernise your controls without starting from scratch. We tailor each installation to the client’s layout,
system age and usage patterns – whether that’s a modern office complex or a decades-old factory.
3. Meet Net Zero targets without high Capex Whether you’re working towards Net Zero or reporting under SECR, an EMS can help you track and reduce your Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions. It gives facilities managers a straightforward, measurable way to cut fossil fuel consumption and meet sustainability goals without the high upfront cost of replacing boilers or installing renewables. It also prepares your building for future
technologies. As more organisations move to heat pumps and hybrid systems, having an EMS in place ensures you can maximise the performance and lifespan of low-carbon upgrades.
4. Improve comfort and control With zoned heating, tamper-proof settings and live data dashboards, EMS platforms offer a more stable, comfortable, environment for pupils and staff. Once the EMS is installed, it will eradicate hotspots and cold zones, leaving your building with consistent heating optimised for your schedule and occupancy patterns. Cloud-based access means facilities teams can
manage sites remotely – ideal for multi-location operations or out-of-hours control. And with automated alerts and diagnostics, maintenance becomes more proactive and less reactive.
CASE STUDY: FARRELLS Farrells is a leading UK manufacturer of
ENERGY & SUSTAINABILITY SOLUTIONS - Autumn 2025 33
EMS technology offers a low-risk,
high-impact solution for facilities management
rubber mixing machines, operating from a traditional industrial site in the North of England. The business needed to reduce energy bills while improving comfort for staff in a large, open-plan, factory. After installing a Clarke Controls EMS, the
factory saved 280,000 kWh and £28,000 within four months. The system gave the team full zonal control and eliminated heating complaints. “We’ve saved £50k off a £300k annual bill and
expect those savings to continue,” says production manager, Philip Battersby. “The results have been better than expected – I’d recommend Clive and his team to anyone.”
A SMARTER PATH TO ENERGY EFFICIENCY As energy regulations tighten and ESG reporting becomes standard, EMS technology offers a low-risk, high-impact solution for facilities management. Whether you’re overseeing a single site or a national estate, a modern EMS gives you the tools to manage heating more effectively and prove your progress. With proven energy savings, seamless integration
and support for Net Zero goals, EMS platforms are a great addition to any facility. And they’re a brilliant way for facilities managers to do that most magic of magic tricks, doing more with less!
Clarke Controls
www.clarke-controls.co.uk
Clive Bodenham
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