Singapore advances in energy efficiency for office buildings

New technologies drive significant savings for office owners.

Effective energy and sustainability management in office buildings is crucial for Singapore’s sustainable development, resulting in owners making strides with energy-saving technologies in office buildings. 

Samuel Han, Head of Energy Sustainability Management at Savills Singapore, sheds light on the latest advancements and best practices in the field, emphasising the critical role of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems.

"HVAC systems account for 50 to 70% of energy bills in buildings," Han pointed out. By targeting these systems for efficiency improvements, office buildings can achieve energy savings of 30 to 50%, marking a substantial reduction in operational costs and carbon footprint.

Han highlighted the importance of regular monthly maintenance and the utilisation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for monitoring. "AI assists with fault detection and provides automated solutions, significantly reducing manual labour," he explained.

Integrating modern energy systems into older buildings poses challenges but also offers significant benefits. "Recent energy systems are designed with open protocols, facilitating easy integration with existing infrastructure," Han said. Older buildings, in particular, stand to benefit the most from these upgrades due to their potential for higher energy savings and shorter payback periods.

Beyond technological upgrades, Han suggested building owners adopt best practices such as closely monitoring Building Management Systems (BMS) and educating tenants on energy conservation. 

"Awareness and understanding of energy data are key to identifying savings opportunities, and tenant education can foster a culture of sustainability," he advised.

Recent years have seen the rise of specific energy-saving technologies among Singapore office building owners. "The multi-comparison chiller, which operates efficiently under low occupancy levels, and IoT sensors that enhance data collection and analysis, have become increasingly popular," Han noted.