The future of sustainable buildings: the role of ISO 52120 in building energy management

A few years back, the International Organisation for Standards began providing a methodology for ranking a Building Energy Management System’s performance, which is crucial to optimising energy efficiency. It was developed as a European Standard as part of the European Union’s response to its climate change commitment and is now often seen as a significant guideline for assessing energy management, monitoring, and more. And this is why.

From Class D to net-zero: the role of ISO 52120 in building energy management

ISO 52120 makes it incredibly easy to judge the performance of a building’s energy management system, after which it can be graded from classes A to D. Currently, most buildings receive a mere Class D or, in the case of newer buildings, a Class C rating. This is surprisingly low, especially as energy efficiency should be the first step toward reaching net-zero targets.

So, how can ISO 52120 help in reaching those targets? This standard allows us to assess the operational efficiency of heating, cooling, hot water systems, ventilation, building control systems, and more. And as if that’s not enough, it also makes it possible to assess how each system interacts with the others easily, how systems relate to demand, and how the demand is actually linked to building usage.

Identifying energy waste to drive down emissions

This is where it gets interesting. By seeing how efficiently our systems work (are they using too much energy, for example?), we can quickly identify inefficiencies, stop energy waste, and reduce carbon emissions and running costs.

Which is precisely why the ISO standard is so important. Before considering renewables or replacing capital equipment, the first step should always be energy efficiency—reducing and optimising energy use. The reason is simple: reducing your energy load has a significant knock-on effect, greatly influencing the size of renewable systems or new equipment you might need.

The best way to navigate energy efficiency

Having clear guidance on optimising energy use is crucial—and that’s where ISO 52120 comes in. As a best-practice guideline (not an auditable standard like ISO 50001), ISO 52120 can be one of the most significant resources for determining the best approach to energy optimisation in buildings and facilities. It provides a benchmark to ensure you maximise your decarbonisation efforts and align with best practices. Having a recognised standard as a reference point is incredibly helpful in ensuring you’re on the right track.

Combined with the right information about your building’s performance, ISO 52120 is an excellent tool for discovering what needs to be done to reach those net-zero targets. Want to know more? Get in touch for a free demo.