Bridging the Performance Gap: Lessons from Australia for the UK’s Built Environment

Luke Cleary – IEng MCIBSE
Technical Director
luke@csrsustain.co.uk

The UK’s Building Efficiency Challenge: A Personal Perspective

The UK’s ageing building stock lacks modern technology adoption, leading to buildings underperforming against their original design intent. However, solutions to bridge this gap exist—solutions I experienced firsthand in Australia.

In Australia, I worked for a data analytics company, optimising property operations through advanced analytics, and a client-side consultancy, where I led the design and project management of HVAC infrastructure retrofit upgrades. These roles provided me with personal and valuable insight into how CAPEX and OPEX projects, supported by frameworks like NABERS, can drive significant operational improvements in the existing built environment.

Since returning to the UK, I’ve observed a noticeable gap in addressing these challenges. The tools, strategies, and frameworks that proved so effective in Australia are only beginning to gain traction here, leaving untapped potential to transform the UK’s built environment.

NABERS: Transforming the Australian Property Sector

In Australia, I saw how NABERS became a driving force for change. Its emphasis on measurable performance outcomes and transparent reporting compelled organisations to adopt smarter, data-driven approaches to improve their energy efficiency.

This environment was the perfect testing ground for innovation and change in this field, and I first hand experienced the following transformation.

1. Cultural Shift Towards Innovation: NABERS created a culture of accountability and innovation, encouraging the adoption of cutting-edge technologies to meet stringent environmental and operational standards.
2. Adoption of AI and Machine Learning: Leading property owners embraced AI-driven tools to make better-informed decisions about their existing infrastructure, enhancing efficiency and extending the lifecycle of assets.
3. Focus on Business Outcomes: Maintenance strategies became more aligned with business goals, prioritising performance, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness over traditional compliance-focused approaches.
4. Contractor Evolution: Initial resistance from contractors transformed into widespread adoption as they realised these tools streamlined processes, improved fault management, and generated additional revenue from proactive services.
5. Shift to Proactive Management: Facilities managers moved from reactive maintenance to proactive, data-driven management of building systems, aligning with measurable performance outcomes.
6. Transition to Data-Driven Contracts: Tier 1 property owners reimagined their mechanical and BMS controls maintenance contracts, shifting away from traditional planned preventive maintenance (PPM) to contracts informed by real-time data and analytics.
7. Cost and Energy Savings: Significant reductions in energy consumption and operational costs were achieved, contributing to sustainability and bottom-line improvements.
8. Improved NABERS Ratings: Buildings significantly enhanced their NABERS ratings, with some improving from 2-star to 6-star performance, driven by better operational insights and fault detection.

NABERS acted as a catalyst, accelerating the adoption of innovative technologies and creating an environment where data-driven solutions could thrive and deliver measurable success. This exemplifies how regulatory frameworks can drive both innovation and tangible results.

The UK’s Opportunity to Bridge the Gap

The UK faces unique challenges in improving building performance. Much of its ageing building stock relies on systems that were never designed with modern energy efficiency in mind. Compounding this issue, regulations are fragmented, and some proposed measures have either been overlooked or remain unratified.

Notably, the UK government has delayed action on a 2019 consultation proposing a similar framework to successful initiatives like NABERS UK or Display Energy Certificates (DECs), leaving it unratified. This hesitation undermines progress toward achieving greater energy efficiency and sustainability in the UK’s built environment, leaving a critical gap in addressing these challenges for the existing building stock.

While some organisations are early adopters of tools like NABERS UK, their use remains voluntary at this stage, with steady growth anticipated. Widespread adoption is expected to accelerate once the government decides on a standardised framework for disclosing operational performance, whether NABERS UK or DECs. At that point, making such frameworks mandatory rather than voluntary will likely drive broader industry compliance and adoption.

However, this gap presents a profound opportunity. With net-zero targets becoming a priority, the UK is primed for intelligent building analytics to take centre stage. The early adoption of NABERS UK is an encouraging sign, but we need more widespread commitment to innovation and data-driven decision-making.

In my view, the UK’s building sector is at a tipping point. If organisations embrace tools like our HVAC Optimisation, they could see the same transformative benefits I witnessed in Australia—optimising HVAC infrastructure and bridging the performance gap for existing commercial properties.

Don’t just take my word for it—check out the BBP framework, which emphasises the importance of HVAC optimisation and prioritising system performance through advanced management techniques to drive operational excellence.

Lessons Learned from Australia

Working with cim.io gave me invaluable insights into the power of innovation. One of the most significant lessons was the importance of aligning technology with market needs. CIM’s success wasn’t just about its cutting-edge features; it was about how well those features addressed NABERS-driven challenges in the Australian market.

For instance, I was directly involved in designing machine learning AI algorithms that formed the backbone of CIM’s automated fault detection and diagnosis (AFDD) feature. The automated fault detection and diagnosis capability was key to identifying faults in real time and addressing them proactively to prevent energy wastage. Beyond this, I critically evaluated existing and outdated control strategies, redefining and implementing optimised approaches that improved operational efficiency, reduced energy consumption by up to 30%, and significantly enhanced NABERS ratings. Seeing these transformative results first-hand was truly a career-defining moment for me.

How CSR Sustain Is Leading the Way

At CSR Sustain, we’ve adopted these lessons and intend to lead the way in the UK by partnering with CIM and incorporating the PEAK tool into our energy management offering. PEAK provides advanced fault detection, operational insights, and measurable performance improvements—all designed to proactively transform the facilities management of commercial property infrastructure.

For forward-thinking organisations looking to streamline their operations and benefit from the operational performance incentives, our HVAC Optimisation is a game-changer. By integrating this tool into our suite of services, we are helping clients unlock the potential of intelligent building analytics.

Our goal is to bridge the performance gap in the UK by offering solutions that are both innovative and practical. Our expertise extends to guiding the adoption of AI tools for infrastructure optimisation, achieving significant energy and cost savings, and fostering a culture of innovation. We work closely with contractors, facilities managers, and ESG managers to streamline processes and align maintenance strategies with business goals. This collaborative approach establishes streamlined operations, avoiding energy wastage, and encouraging greater operational efficiency across entire portfolios.

The Future of Building Management

The question isn’t whether the UK can replicate Australia’s success with intelligent building analytics—it’s how soon. I believe the industry is on the verge of a significant overhaul that will include:

• Leveraging data-driven insights where automated fault detection and diagnosis uncovers inefficiencies and optimises existing infrastructure.
• Reshaping contractor management to drive accountability and operational efficiency.
• Transitioning from planned-preventative (PPM) to data-driven maintenance (DDM) for smarter, proactive management.
• Reducing energy consumption by up to 30%, improving energy and carbon accounting.
• Boosting NOI for commercial property assets, adding measurable value for owners and investors.

These shifts will redefine the way the UK manages its built environment, bringing substantial benefits across performance, sustainability, and financial outcomes.

Luke Cleary – IEng MCIBSE
Technical Director
luke@csrsustain.co.uk