Energy Efficiency in Multi-Occupancy Retail Estates
/Where to Start?
As the retail property sector evolves, owners and facilities managers of shopping centres and multi-occupancy retail estates face mounting pressure to cut operational costs and deliver on sustainability commitments. Whether the driver is ESG strategy, tenant expectation or energy price volatility, the imperative to improve building performance has never been greater.
Legacy systems, complex tenancy arrangements and the need to maintain uninterrupted trading can make the challenge appear daunting. Yet there are clear, practical actions that deliver both immediate returns and long-term resilience.
Drawing on JCW’s extensive experience in maintaining and upgrading shopping centre infrastructure across the UK, we outline proven opportunities to improve efficiency and reduce operating costs.
1. Begin with a Building Energy Assessment
The foundation of any efficiency strategy is a clear understanding of current performance. A comprehensive energy review of your core and shell infrastructure, the central services and building fabric managed by the landlord (including common areas, plant rooms and landlord-provided utilities), will pinpoint the greatest inefficiencies.
Key measures include:
TM44 inspections (legally required for air conditioning systems over 12kW), which frequently highlight aged equipment or poor controls.
Thermal imaging and energy audits to expose heat loss, air leaks or insulation failings.
Monitoring existing plant and systems for degradation, overuse or waste.
JCW’s compliance-led approach ensures statutory requirements are met while identifying opportunities for immediate and ongoing improvement.
2. Upgrade Common Area Lighting to LEDs
Replacing conventional lighting with high-efficiency LEDs remains one of the quickest and most effective energy-saving measures, particularly in:
Shared corridors and atriums
Car parks and loading bays
Public toilets and stairwells
External signage and walkways
LED upgrades deliver:
Up to 60% lower electricity consumption
Significantly reduced maintenance due to longer lifespan
Enhanced safety and visual appeal
JCW regularly implements LED projects as part of wider maintenance strategies and capital upgrade programmes.
3. Maintain and Optimise HVAC Systems
HVAC systems represent the largest single energy cost in a multi-tenanted centre. Even well-maintained units will drift into inefficiency if not regularly inspected and recalibrated.
Performance is significantly improved by:
Scheduled servicing to clean filters, balance controls and maintain efficiency
Zoning improvements to prevent heating or cooling unoccupied areas
F-Gas compliant upgrades to eliminate legacy refrigerants
Variable speed drives on fans and pumps
Heat recovery ventilation to minimise energy loss in winter
These targeted interventions consistently deliver measurable savings, even without full system replacement.
4. Install Occupancy Monitoring and Smart Controls
Post-pandemic footfall patterns are highly variable, making occupancy monitoring increasingly valuable. Technologies such as:
Passive infrared sensors (PIR)
Thermal imaging counters
Video analytics (anonymised)
IoT-connected room sensors
These enable building controls to automatically adjust lighting, HVAC and ventilation to match real-time usage. Even where LED fittings are limited to on/off operation, strategic zoning and smart integration deliver meaningful reductions in energy use.
JCW partners with specialist technology providers to ensure seamless integration with existing systems, advising clients on the most effective solutions for their estates.
5. Consider a Scalable Building Management System (BMS)
Most shopping centres already operate BMS infrastructure, yet in our experience these systems are routinely underused or outdated. Modern BMS platforms unlock substantial savings by providing:
Centralised control of HVAC, lighting, fire and water systems
Automated time- or condition-based schedules
Fault detection and remote diagnostics
Energy data and performance benchmarking
BMS Strategy Review – JCW ensures that systems are optimised for current building usage and layout, aligning BMS configuration with energy-saving priorities. Where full-scale systems are not in place, modular or cloud-based options can be deployed and integrated progressively.
6. Rethink Planned Maintenance with an Energy Focus
JCW’s Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) schedules go beyond compliance, embedding energy performance as a core objective. This approach enables:
Early identification of underperforming equipment
Avoidance of reactive faults that waste energy
Continuous adjustment of setpoints and control logic to match usage
Data-led servicing aligned with sustainability goals
Our nationwide engineering teams deliver efficient, compliant and cost-effective maintenance across diverse retail portfolios.
7. Go Further with Smart Water and Air Quality Monitoring
Lighting and HVAC draw the most attention, but other systems offer significant efficiency gains:
Water usage sensors detect leaks early, preventing waste and supporting sustainability targets.
Air quality monitoring (CO₂, particulates, VOCs) improves tenant wellbeing while optimising ventilation rates for energy control.
These technologies are fast becoming standard practice in modern facilities management, and JCW supports clients in adopting them strategically.
Start Small, Think Strategically
Improving energy efficiency does not require wholesale transformation overnight. Many of the most effective changes, from LED upgrades to smarter maintenance, deliver strong ROI with minimal disruption.
JCW combines technical expertise with a practical understanding of retail estate operations. We support estate managers at every stage, aligning compliance, performance and long-term value.
For estates ready to improve efficiency, JCW ensures you start where it matters most.
