Energy Demand Reduction from Macro to Micro Scale

As energy demand and sustainability gain importance, effective reduction strategies are essential across all scales, from national frameworks to individual buildings. At the 2024 CIBSE Technical Symposium, experts explored energy demand reduction methods that integrate large-scale policies with building-specific efficiencies. Here, we summarise the symposium’s key insights on energy reduction, from overarching macro-level regulations to intermediate and micro-scale building strategies, and how VEXO International’s solutions can support these sustainable initiatives. 

Macro-Level Strategies: National Policies and Standards   

At the macro level, national policies and initiatives play a crucial role in shaping energy efficiency standards across sectors. In the UK, for example, the Heat and Buildings Strategy outlines plans to make energy-efficient heating solutions like heat pumps affordable and accessible. Katherine Morris’s research, presented at CIBSE, delves into predictive models for domestic energy use that provide insights into how building characteristics, such as heat loss coefficients and thermal capacitance, influence energy consumption. These models align with the UK’s strategy to drive down costs and boost the adoption of low-carbon heating technologies, thereby reducing energy demand on a national scale​. 

Meanwhile, Adam Selvey’s presentation raised important questions about how we measure building energy use. He challenged the reliance on metrics like kWh/m²/annum, arguing that these measures don’t account for building usage patterns and occupant behaviour. Selvey called for a more nuanced approach to energy benchmarks, one that considers how building energy use interacts with occupant needs, potentially shaping future policies that prioritise both efficiency and comfort. 

Building energy balancing act.

Intermediate Level Solutions: Building Design and Operational Efficiency   

At the intermediate scale, optimising building design and operations can significantly impact energy consumption, especially for larger or more complex buildings. Evelyn Soong’s study on occupancy-driven energy demand reduction in educational buildings is a compelling example. By analysing occupancy data and applying it to operational adjustments, such as closing off unused spaces during low-occupancy times, her team achieved up to 6% annual energy savings. This approach showcases the impact of data-driven controls on reducing energy use in mid-sized facilities without sacrificing functionality​.  

Adam Selvey’s concept of “use more, build less” complements this approach. He emphasised the need to maximise existing building usage by repurposing spaces like schools and libraries for multiple purposes, reducing the need for additional structures. By using spaces more frequently, energy demand per building decreases even if overall usage intensity goes up, contributing to a more efficient building stock and reducing overall carbon emissions​. 

Micro-Level Interventions: Residential and Small-Scale Energy Savings   

On the micro scale, targeted actions in residential and small buildings can drive substantial energy savings. For example, Katherine Morris’s research highlights the potential of thermal response models to better predict energy needs in residential settings. By understanding and managing heat loss and thermal capacity in individual homes, occupants can achieve energy savings through optimised heating and cooling schedules. 

Additionally, intelligent building controls allow homeowners to manage energy use based on real-time occupancy and weather conditions, helping to minimise waste without compromising comfort. This approach at the micro scale reflects the importance of small, precise interventions in achieving broader energy efficiency goals.

Integrating Multi-Scale Solutions for Effective Energy Demand Reduction   

The insights from CIBSE Technical Symposium 2024 underscore the importance of integrated solutions at every scale. National policies lay the groundwork for large-scale efficiency, intermediate-level operational strategies drive energy savings in medium-sized buildings, and micro-level improvements provide homeowners with the tools to reduce individual energy demand. Together, these approaches help achieve sustainable energy reductions across the built environment. 

VEXO International’s advanced control, filtration and water treatment products can support large to medium sized buildings by improving the efficiency of heating and cooling systems, ensuring that buildings use only the energy they need while maintaining comfortable indoor environments​. 

If you are looking to improve heat pump and HVAC performance, get in touch with our team today.  

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