Encouraging Smarter Energy Use in Buildings

Reducing the energy consumption of buildings such as homes, offices, schools and shops requires more than just upgrading insulation or installing renewable energy systems. One of the most important and often overlooked aspects of energy efficiency is how people use energy in the first place. 

Behavioural change can have a significant impact on heating, hot water, and cooling demands. Here we explore four levels of ambition, ranging from Level 1, which assumes minimal behavioural change, to Level 4, which requires widespread adoption of smarter, more efficient habits. 

The average indoor temperature in UK homes has steadily increased. In 1990, homes were typically heated to around 16°C. By 2015, this had risen to an average of 18.7°C. This trend contributes directly to higher energy consumption. In addition to heating, domestic hot water use is a major contributor to energy demand. In 2015, the average household demand was approximately 700 kilowatt-hours per person annually. This is equivalent to heating 40 litres of water per day from 10°C to 50°C. 

Non-domestic buildings such as schools and offices add to this demand, particularly where equipment such as computers generate internal heat which needs to be managed with cooling systems. Although air conditioning is still relatively rare in UK buildings, its use is expected to rise, which will further increase electricity use.

Behavioural Change Levels

Each ambition level outlines a different future scenario for building energy use. At Level 1, behaviour worsens, with indoor temperatures rising to 20 °C, greater hot water usage, and half of all homes adopting air conditioning. This would lead to significant increases in energy use. 

Level 2 assumes current behaviour patterns are maintained, with indoor temperatures remaining at around 18 degrees, stable hot water demand, and about 1/3 of homes using air conditioning. 

Level 3 projects moderate improvements, with internal temperatures slightly reduced to around 17 degrees and lower hot water demand due to lifestyle changes, like taking showers instead of baths.

Level 4 envisions the most ambitious shift. Changes in behaviour (like wearing jumpers indoors) and technology (smart heating controls) lead to building temperatures dropping to 16°C, and less hot water is needed due to heat recovery and more efficient shower heads. 

Efficient Buildings

However, behavioural change does not happen in isolation. It is closely linked with the efficiency of the buildings themselves. Better insulated and well-ventilated buildings require less energy to maintain comfortable conditions.

Smart technology is also key to optimising energy use. For example, heating systems can be equipped with sensors that monitor both indoor and outdoor temperatures, and these systems can intelligently adjust when to turn on the heating based on outside conditions. On colder days, the heating might begin earlier to ensure a comfortable temperature by the start of the school day. On milder days, it could be delayed to avoid unnecessary energy use.

Lighting is another area where behaviour and technology intersect. Replacing older lighting systems with LEDs, combined with automatic controls such as motion sensors, can result in substantial savings. In areas such as corridors, where lights do not need to be on constantly, sensors can ensure that lighting is only active when needed. These small changes, when applied consistently across a building, can lead to meaningful reductions in electricity use.

Other measures include installing water-saving fixtures such as tap limiters and low-flush toilets. These may seem minor, but they add up when implemented throughout a large building. 

On the school project we are working on, their approach to reaching net zero emissions by 2050 will likely involve a combination of these behavioural and technological strategies. The key will be to implement changes in phases, starting with areas that offer the greatest potential for energy savings. 

Refurbishing high-use areas such as the sports hall or music centre, and considering the installation of air source heat pumps instead of traditional gas boilers, will form the first phase of energy upgrades. Although these systems have a higher initial cost, they offer long-term benefits in terms of reduced running costs and lower carbon emissions.

Ultimately, achieving energy efficiency in buildings will require a combined approach that considers the behaviours of occupants, the technical characteristics of the building, and the integration of smart technologies and renewable energy sources. This layered strategy is essential for reducing emissions, cutting costs, and moving toward a more sustainable future.

Whether you're planning upgrades or exploring sustainability strategies, we can help you design smarter, future-ready buildings that align with evolving energy goals.