In the race to net zero, the meaning of sustainability is becoming increasingly clear – and subject to regulation. In commercial multi-tenant buildings, taking strides to achieve meaningful sustainable practices is laced with challenges. These include balancing diverse tenant needs and behaviours in constantly evolving demand and operations.

28% of global energy-related carbon emissions are attributable to operational emissions from buildings. Overall, buildings are responsible for approximately 39% of global emissions. Striving for sustainability in these buildings is crucial to achieving net-zero targets and combating climate change.  

To achieve meaningful sustainability within commercial real estate, there needs to be a strong business case for change. The best place to start is with facilities maintenance, which addresses key strategic points in optimising efficiency and building ESG and sustainable strategies.

What is Building Sustainability?

In broad terms, building sustainability focuses on the design, construction, and operation of buildings in a way that minimises waste and negative environmental impact and maximises the environmental, social, and economic benefits. As a starting point, this looks to improved efficiency and resource preservation – with added advantages for health and wellbeing.

There are many touchpoints for around multi-tenant building sustainability, which we will look at in a little more detail below.

Why Multi-Tenant Buildings Need To Adopt Green Property Maintenance Practices

• Take steps to address the climate emergency. It is our collective efforts that will shape the future.
• Cost savings. There are potential financial benefits for commercial real estate concerns – whether you’re shaving Pounds off your energy bill by lowering consumption, optimising equipment lifecycles, or investing in practices that manage risk and make your building adaptable.
• Meet regulations. As statutory requirements tighten, making practical changes are of strategic importance to future tenancies. Prioritising sustainable practices to meet evolving regulations ensures continuity, reduces risk, and increases investment potential.
• Added benefits. By focusing on key sustainability areas within a building, there is the potential to tap into a range of additional benefits. This could include everything from safeguarding occupants’ health and wellbeing to improved tenant satisfaction through more engaged, transparent processes.
• Increased property value and investment potential. Through regulation and public perception, building sustainability is important to your tenants, their customers, and potential buyers and investors.

What Green Maintenance For Multi-Tenant Buildings Looks Like

For many buildings in the UK, the challenge is to address the challenges of widespread sustainable changes in historic buildings that are unsustainable by modern standards. At Voltix Services, we craft strategies for even the most complex multi-tenant buildings to achieve sustainable objectives.

We do this by creating a priority list and ongoing roadmap for change that achieves sustainable outcomes – in ways that meet your budget and the interests of your tenants. We identify easy gains and long-term benchmarks to maximise the effectiveness of your strategies. Some key touchpoints include:

• Energy efficiency. We deploy smart meters and energy monitoring solutions to understand where energy is being used, when, and how. This is essential for engaging tenants on their energy usage and encouraging the transition to renewable energy sources. We also advise on inefficient systems – like lighting or poorly maintained equipment – where simple changes and behavioural adjustments stand to have a big impact.
• Innovative, connected processes. We install smart sensors, which transmit data on critical points in the building and machinery – and report when something falls outside of the trending metrics. This assists with things like energy efficiency, but also are essential to resource preservation through early leak detection.
• Electric vehicle charging stations. The uptake of electric vehicles is on a steady upward trajectory – a factor that is important for your tenants and the planet. Installing and ensuring well-maintained intelligent charging stations and software solutions shows a practical commitment to sustainable change.
• Safe, comfortable indoor environments. Optimising indoor air quality, ventilation, and lighting falls within the scope of sustainability – and has the added benefit of protecting occupants and creating productive workspaces.
• Well-maintained equipment lasts longer and works more efficiently. A commitment to high facilities maintenance standards keeps critical equipment running smoothly and extends the lifespan of your machines, which has positive effects for the environment.
• Strategies for resilience and adaptability. Building resilience to future weather events and shifting regulation means being adaptable. Using powerful digital innovations, multi-tenant buildings are empowered to adjust operations with minimal impact.

Contact Voltix Services Today For Green Maintenance Solutions

Get in touch with us to take strategic steps to secure sustainability in your multi-tenant commercial building. Our expert engineers are here to advise on the next steps and to make powerful sustainable changes through our comprehensive facilities maintenance offering.