Gone are the days of reactive building management. If you want to maximize value and meet new regulatory requirements, you need a proactive approach to measuring building performance. This can be quite challenging as data is often scattered. This article has you covered. We'll share how to automatically measure energy data efficiently to increase asset value. Let’s get right into it.

Why measuring building performance is more important than ever

With sustainability demands rising, the urgency for high-performing, transparent buildings have never been clearer. Tenants today expect insight into energy use, comfort, and air quality – essential metrics for maintaining satisfaction and occupancy. For you, these insights into operational efficiencies translate into cost savings and a smaller environmental footprint.

Increasing regulatory pressures, like energy efficiency certifications and CO2 reduction targets, mean that staying informed is essential. By actively monitoring energy consumption, air quality, and occupancy, you can take proactive steps to address issues before they escalate into tenant complaints or high energy bills.

These performance metrics are more than numbers; they help support long-term asset value, drive sustainability goals, and foster tenant loyalty. In late 2023, the European Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), introducing new rules to enhance energy efficiency across the EU.

This change reinforces the emphasis on sustainable building practices, encouraging asset managers to stay ahead by continuously monitoring and improving building performance.

Challenges in measuring building performance

 Measuring building performance is important, but let's be honest – it's not always easy. Gathering data across different metrics, like energy use and air quality, can feel like a juggling act, especially when each system has its own way of tracking things. Without a smooth, coordinated process, you might end up missing valuable insights, which means higher costs and less effective performance management.

Lack of visibility of performance metrics

Whether you're a property owner or asset manager, chances are high you're lacking insights into the real-time performance data of your buildings. Without these insights, you might miss opportunities to find inefficiencies in energy usage of systems.

And that’s not all, without visibility, predicting potential issues becomes a challenge. Think about it, you can only respond to a problem when it has already escalated, leading to increased costs and tenant dissatisfaction. A centralized, automated system could significantly improve transparency and allow for better, data-driven decision-making.

Inefficient process to collect data

Collecting data manually is often inefficient and time-consuming. When data is scattered across different systems, like energy management platforms, HVAC controls, and occupancy tracking software, the process can become chaotic. This is especially true in larger buildings, where multiple departments handle various performance metrics.

An inefficient collection process limits responsiveness. You may take days or even weeks to gather and analyze data, delaying their ability to address critical performance issues. Automation can alleviate these inefficiencies by providing real-time data collection, enabling on-the-spot decision-making.

Last but not least, the complexity of integrating multiple data sources can lead to incomplete insights. Solutions are needed that aggregate all data points into a single platform, making it easier to track and optimize performance.

Dependency on external stakeholders

When you’re owning or managing buildings, there’s no doubt you collaborate with plenty of stakeholders. External stakeholders, such as contractors also collect data. Being dependent can lead to slow response times and reduce the accuracy of data, as you are one additional step from the original source.

Relying on external parties also introduces inconsistencies in data collection. Contractors may have varying methodologies, making it difficult to create a standardized approach across multiple properties. Bringing data collection in-house allows you to maintain control and ensure consistent measurement practices.

Dependency on external stakeholders can also limit innovation power. When you’re reliant on third-party providers, you’ll never be as quick to implement efficiency and sustainability technologies as you would be if you could handle it yourself.

Key metrics to measure building performance

To gain a comprehensive view of building performance, it’s important to focus on specific metrics. These key metrics give insights that are fundamental to driving sustainability and increasing operational efficiency.

Office buildings, often classified among the highest energy-consuming NR-buildings, present significant opportunities for optimization. By tracking energy usage closely, it allows you to identify inefficiencies and implement strategies that drastically reduce operational costs.

Now let’s have a look at some of the key metrics to measure. 

Energy building performance

Energy usage is often one of the largest operational expenses for a building. Tracking this metric reveals patterns in electricity, heating, and water consumption, helping to identify areas for improvement. By optimizing energy performance, you can reduce operating costs and make the building more appealing to environmentally conscious tenants.

Advanced energy metrics also allow for comparisons against industry benchmarks. You can assess if your building’s energy use aligns with similar properties, identifying further savings potential. Implementing smart energy management systems can automatically adjust energy use based on occupancy, achieving both cost and environmental benefits.

Indoor climate and air quality

Indoor air quality directly affects tenant satisfaction and health, making it a critical metric. HVAC systems play an important role in regulating air quality and temperature, but monitoring CO2 levels, pollutants, and humidity is equally important.

Implementing sensors that continuously monitor air quality provides real-time insights, allowing to adjust ventilation as needed. This not only improves tenant comfort but also ensures the building meets regulatory standards for air quality, which is increasingly demanded by tenants as well.

And let’s not forget another important aspect of indoor air quality, because optimizing has cost benefits too. With data on usage patterns, HVAC systems can be managed to run only when necessary, reducing energy costs without sacrificing tenant comfort.

Occupancy and use of rooms

Tracking occupancy rates helps you to understand how spaces are used which is valuable for making adjustments to heating, lighting, and cooling. For example, if certain rooms are underused, energy consumption can be minimized in these areas, leading to cost savings.

Occupancy insights also support flexible workspace arrangements, which are becoming more popular. By understanding peak usage times, spaces can be optimized to support remote and hybrid work models, reducing unnecessary energy consumption during off-hours. 

Adjusting HVAC settings based on occupancy patterns also contributes to a more efficient building operation. This adaptive approach aligns energy use with actual space usage, which offers substantial cost and sustainability benefits.

Maintenance and operational efficiency

Maintenance efficiency directly impacts the longevity of building systems and the overall tenant experience. Building maintenance, based on real-time data, prevents costly repairs and minimizes disruptions to building operations.

Tracking operational efficiency helps to determine the optimal intervals for routine checks, ensuring equipment runs at peak performance. This approach not only extends the life of assets but also contributes to sustainability by reducing waste and energy consumption. 

Incorporating predictive maintenance, which uses data trends to anticipate failures, enables you to act before issues arise. This approach reduces downtime and supports a more seamless operation.

4 steps to measure building performance effectively

Want to take control of your building's performance? A structured approach not only simplifies management but also gives you the insights needed to boost both efficiency and profitability.

Here’s how to do it.

1. Automatically collect data to track performance

Automating data collection simplifies the process, ensuring accurate, up-to-date performance metrics. Smart sensors and integrated management systems capture data points, from energy use to air quality, in real time.

Use building optimization software

Optimization software aggregates data from different systems, offering a comprehensive view of building performance. This software, such as Healthy Workers, not only tracks performance but also provides actionable insights that inform decision-making, making it a critical tool for you.

Software can also identify patterns in building operations, helping anticipate and adjust to changes in demand. This proactive approach optimizes energy use and therefore saves costs.

Use industry-standard benchmarks like BREEAM and WELL

Benchmarks such as BREEAM and WELL provide frameworks that assess sustainability and tenant health. By aligning with these standards, you can boost your building's reputation and attract tenants who prioritize environmental responsibility.

With Healthy Workers, you gain real time insights into your building’s performance against these benchmarks, making it easier to set and track your progress toward certification. These certifications don’t just signal a commitment to sustainability – they also enhance your property's market value.

Combine energy and system tracking

Integrating energy and system tracking enables you to assess overall building efficiency. This combined data offers a holistic view of energy consumption, HVAC performance, and occupancy, identifying areas for optimization.

Analyzing both energy and system metrics ensures that efficiency improvements are balanced with tenant comfort. This dual approach helps you make adjustments that are both cost-effective and supportive of tenant satisfaction.

2. Detect performance issues

Detecting performance issues in real time enables to prevent minor inefficiencies from escalating into major problems. Continuous monitoring of systems like HVAC and lighting provides insights into irregularities, allowing you to take immediate action. Real-time alerts and predictive analytics can notify you of potential issues, minimizing disruptions and avoiding costly repairs. 

Tracking historical performance data helps identify patterns of recurring problems. By understanding these patterns, you can implement preemptive measures to improve building efficiency and reduce operational costs over the long term.

3. Identify solutions

Once performance issues are identified, you must develop solutions tailored to the building’s unique requirements. Analyzing data trends offers clarity on what adjustments can yield the most impact, whether that involves fine-tuning energy settings or upgrading certain systems for greater efficiency.

Collaboration across departments is often beneficial in this phase. By involving technical teams, contractors, and other stakeholders, you can ensure that solutions are practical, sustainable, and aligned with both operational and budgetary goals.

4. Fix issues and verify results

Implementing solutions is only the first step; verifying results through ongoing monitoring ensures improvements are sustainable. Data-driven validation can confirm if adjustments are delivering the desired outcomes, while feedback from tenants provides additional insights into the success of these measures.

Frequent performance reviews allow you to refine strategies continually. By setting benchmarks for improvement, you can track the effectiveness of each initiative, ensuring that long-term goals for efficiency and tenant satisfaction are met.

Collaboration with stakeholders

Successful performance optimization relies on effective collaboration with stakeholders as well. You must work closely with technical teams and contractors to implement solutions that support building efficiency and tenant satisfaction. Regular communication and clear alignment on goals create a unified approach to building management.

Establishing a collaborative culture encourages innovation. When stakeholders feel involved in the process, they’re more likely to contribute ideas and support sustainable practices, further enhancing building performance.

Increase your portfolio asset value with Healthy Worker’s full-service approach

Optimizing buildings to increase value, improving tenants satisfaction and becoming Paris-Proof can be tough. We understand the complexities of building performance management and came up with a solution to help you out.

Our full-service approach provides you with a comprehensive suite of tools to measure, monitor, and enhance building performance. Through our advanced technology and expert support, we deliver insights that allow you to optimize energy use and increase overall asset value without making expensive CapEx investments. 

Our team partners with you every step of the way, from setting up real-time data collection to implementing sustainable solutions tailored to your building’s needs. By working with Healthy Workers, you gain a proactive, data-driven system that ensures your building remains competitive, efficient, and valuable in a rapidly evolving market.

Ready to maximize your building’s potential? Book a demo with Healthy Workers today and see firsthand how our full-service approach can help you achieve your performance and sustainability goals while enhancing tenant satisfaction and profitability.