BUILDING ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS


How building management technology can help to decarbonise the hospitality sector


The hospitality sector is one of the most energy-intensive sectors in the UK, and modern control systems can both help to optimise energy performance and enhance occupant comfort and wellbeing, says Stacey Lucas.


Stacey Lucas www.sontay.com


Commercial and marketing director Sontay


W


hile the hospitality industry is a significant contributor to the UK’s carbon emissions, it’s


hardly a surprise when you consider the amount of equipment and logistics required to keep a hotel, restaurant or pub effectively powered all year round. Hotels and restaurants alone


typically consume large amounts of energy for heating, lighting, cooling and required kitchen catering equipment. In fact, reports suggest that commercial kitchens alone can often consume up to 10 times more energy per square foot than other commercial buildings. However, carbon emissions do


more than just harm the environment; they also cost building owners and facility managers significant funds – especially with energy prices rising and sustainability standards, such as Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES) and the UK Sustainability Reporting Standards (UKSRS), sharpening the focus on energy performance in commercial buildings. The implementation of BMS can


therefore play a major role here, optimising energy use in real time to provide building owners and those in charge of facility management with the ability to control consumption, enhance occupant comfort, identify performance issues and comply with the latest industry regulations.


Effi ciency boost Able to control and manage any building’s internal environment, including heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), and lighting, building controls adapt to environmental conditions and


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employees, reduces the need for manual adjustments and enables staff to focus more on guest services. Furthermore, the proactive fault


detection enabled by the BMS will expedite identification and alert staff to inefficient performance or malfunctioning equipment, preventing disruptions that would otherwise impact operations and divert staff attention.


Automated temperature and lighting can complement a restaurant’s sustainability goals


occupancy needs to ensure energy efficient operation. Utilising a combination of software


and hardware, these innovative systems monitor all energy- consuming equipment to provide building owners and facility managers with the crucial information needed to reduce consumption, enhance operational efficiency and lower operating costs – all while achieving net zero targets.


While helping the environment and


reducing bills for building owners during the building’s lifecycle, building controls are able to achieve a 30% reduction in energy consumption. Absolutely vital, given the built environment accounts for around 40% of all energy consumed in the UK.


Happy guests With providing superb guest experiences the epitome of hospitality, the ability to ensure comfortable, hygienic and productive environments is therefore absolutely imperative. Through the specification and implementation of BMS and other smart building technology, such as LoRaWAN systems, facility managers and building owners can provide consistent and automated temperature and ventilation control for comfortable guest experiences. Similarly, automating lighting based


on occupancy levels and needs offers significant benefits; not only improving visibility and reducing fatigue while supporting natural biological rhythms


through adaptive light but also substantially reducing wasted energy and cutting down expenditure. Offering building owners and


facility managers the flexibility to control every aspect of their building’s performance down to the tiniest minutiae, BMS enables full room-level control. Consequently, energy usage can be


adjusted and optimised based on room occupancy – ideal for hotel owners wanting to provide guests in each room with the opportunity to control their room temperature individually.


Improved productivity In addition to improving occupant wellbeing, not just for hotel and restaurant guests but also staff, the implementation of building controls and automation systems and technology is a hugely effective way of boosting staff productivity. For instance, automating tasks that would otherwise have to be undertaken by


Implementing building controls and automation systems is an effective way of boosting staff productivity


Enhanced reputation In such a competitive sector, being a trusted brand that’s known for providing exceptional guest experiences while focusing on sustainability practices is paramount. Especially when you consider how closely environmentally-conscious consumers pay attention to an organisation’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategies. By embracing green technology such as BMS, hotel, restaurant and bar owners can demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and innovation, separating their businesses from others in the market and improving their brand reputation – all while lowering the building’s carbon footprint.


Compliance with standards For hotel, restaurant and bar owners, complying with the ever- tightening sustainability and energy efficiency regulations and standards is increasingly becoming a major challenge.


With MEES requiring commercial


properties to maintain a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of ‘B’ or above from 2030 onwards, there has never been a more important time to utilise the advancements in technology and BMS to optimise energy performance, reduce carbon emissions and enhance operational efficiency while ensuring compliance. As one of the UK’s leading providers


of sensing and peripheral devices that perfectly complement smart buildings, Sontay has led the way in innovation and technological advancements for more than five decades. Suitable for specification and


application in a myriad of different environments, including hospitality facilities, Sontay’s market-leading and trusted BMS peripheral devices offer comprehensive energy optimisation opportunities, improve occupant wellbeing and, crucially, help clients remain compliant. ■


EIBI | OCTOBER 2025


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