Managing energy consumption effectively sits at the very top of the agenda for modern property professionals. Rising utility costs and tightening environmental legislation put intense pressure on landlords, developers, and asset managers to rethink their operational strategies. Property leaders can no longer rely on outdated building management techniques to achieve their sustainability targets.
To tackle this pressing issue head-on, Property Week and PropEvents recently hosted a highly anticipated roundtable event at PropSki26. The session, delivered in partnership with eEnergy and Skieward Consulting, brought together some of the brightest minds in the sector. They gathered to unpack a critical theme: ‘From Data to Decisions, How Technology Can Cut Property’s Energy Consumption and Cost.’
This blog post explores the vital insights shared during this landmark discussion. We will examine how shifting from passive data collection to active decision-making transforms property performance. We will also highlight the exceptional expert panel, with a special focus on the invaluable contributions of Consult Sustain's Founder and Managing Director, Stuart Searle.
The Core Challenge of Energy Consumption
The built environment accounts for a massive portion of global carbon emissions and energy use. For decades, commercial and residential properties have operated with significant inefficiencies, wasting heat, electricity, and water simply because managers lacked visibility. You cannot fix an energy leak if you do not know it exists.
Recently, the industry has experienced a massive push towards data collection. Property owners have installed thousands of smart meters, environmental sensors, and advanced building management systems. These devices generate millions of data points every single day, tracking everything from room temperature fluctuations to peak electricity usage.
However, a fundamental disconnect remains. Gathering information is only the first step in a much longer journey towards genuine energy efficiency. Property managers frequently find themselves overwhelmed by spreadsheets and dashboards, struggling to translate this raw information into actionable operational improvements.
Moving from Raw Data to Smart Decisions
The PropSki26 roundtable explicitly targeted this analytical gap. The transition from data to decisions requires a strategic shift in how we approach property technology (PropTech). We must stop treating data as a passive byproduct of building operations and start treating it as an active strategic asset.
Technology provides the bridge between knowing what is happening and knowing what to do about it. Advanced software platforms can now analyse vast datasets in real time, identifying patterns that a human operator would easily miss. These systems highlight specific anomalies, such as heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) units running at full capacity in empty office spaces.
When property managers receive these clear, targeted insights, they can make immediate interventions. A simple adjustment to a heating schedule based on accurate occupancy data can strip thousands of pounds off an annual utility bill. This proactive approach actively protects the bottom line while driving down carbon emissions.
Automating Efficiency Across Portfolios
The expert panel discussed how the true power of technology lies in automation. Relying on facility managers to manually adjust settings across a massive property portfolio leaves too much room for human error. Modern technology removes this friction entirely by automating routine energy-saving decisions.
Internet of Things (IoT) sensors act as the nervous system of a smart building. These devices monitor natural light levels, air quality, and physical occupancy continuously. They then communicate directly with the central building management system to optimise conditions without any human intervention.
If a meeting room sits empty, the system automatically dims the lights and lowers the heating. When employees return, the room returns to optimal comfort levels instantly. Over a large commercial estate, these micro-adjustments accumulate into phenomenal cost savings and dramatic reductions in energy consumption.
Insights from the PropSki26 Expert Panel
Tackling a subject as complex as property technology requires a broad spectrum of industry expertise. The PropSki26 roundtable delivered exactly that, assembling a phenomenal lineup of guest experts to dissect the issue from multiple angles. Tim Clark, Legal and Professional Editor at Property Week, masterfully chaired the lively discussion.
The panel featured industry heavyweights including Edward Wallace and Christopher Potter from Skieward Consulting, who brought deep insights into commercial management. Julian Davies from Earl Kendrick Property and Construction Consultancy provided essential perspectives on building surveying and construction realities. Sara Dutfield from Turley offered a crucial look at how planning frameworks impact energy strategies.
The technological and research sides of the debate were brilliantly represented by Kit Gillibrand of HermeticaBlack and Harry Quartermain of LandTech. Emily Wingrove, Head of Sustainability for the Midlands at Waterman Group, rounded out the panel with expert views on overarching environmental strategies. This diverse grouping ensured the conversation remained grounded, practical, and highly relevant.
Stuart Searle and the Consult Sustain Vision
We were exceptionally proud to see Consult Group represented at the very heart of this critical industry debate. Stuart Searle, Founder and Managing Director of Consult Sustain, joined the esteemed panel as a guest expert. His inclusion underscores our commitment to leading the conversation on sustainable property practices.
Stuart brought a vital sense of commercial reality to the roundtable discussion. At Consult Sustain, he works daily with clients who need practical, financially viable solutions to their energy challenges. He emphasised that buying the latest PropTech software is useless if the underlying building fabric remains poorly insulated or fundamentally inefficient.
During the panel, Stuart championed a holistic approach to energy reduction. He argued that data analytics must align seamlessly with targeted physical upgrades to achieve maximum impact. His insights perfectly capture Consult Group’s core philosophy: we provide realistic, actionable advice that balances environmental responsibility with stringent commercial demands.
Driving Industry Innovation Through Collaboration
The success of this Property Week and PropEvents roundtable highlights the immense value of thought leadership events. Meaningful innovation within the built environment rarely happens in isolation. Solving systemic issues like high energy consumption requires different disciplines to collaborate, share knowledge, and challenge established norms.
Taking professionals out of their standard office environments and placing them in the unique alpine setting of PropSki fosters open, honest dialogue. When a sustainability consultant like Stuart Searle debates strategy with a commercial manager and a planning director, the entire industry benefits. These cross-disciplinary conversations actively dismantle the silos that often slow down technological adoption.
Thought leadership events act as an essential catalyst for widespread change. When property developers hear firsthand how their peers successfully used data analytics to slash energy costs, they are much more likely to embrace similar solutions. We must continue to support and champion these collaborative platforms to accelerate our journey toward net zero.
Take Control of Your Property Data
The insights generated at the PropSki26 roundtable offer a clear roadmap for the future of property management. The mandate for landlords and asset managers is straightforward: you must start translating your building data into intelligent, cost-saving decisions. Embracing technology is the most effective way to protect your investments against rising energy costs.
We strongly encourage property owners to audit their current energy management strategies. Look closely at the data you currently collect and ask yourself if you are using it effectively. If your building metrics sit idle in a spreadsheet, you are leaving substantial financial and environmental savings on the table.
If you want to understand how technology can revolutionise your specific property portfolio, our team is ready to assist. Reach out to Stuart Searle and the experts at Consult Sustain today. We can help you navigate the complex technology landscape, implement a robust data strategy, and drive significant reductions in your energy consumption.
