The best examples of smart building technologies for energy efficiency

Real‑world examples of smart building technologies for energy efficiency

When people ask for examples of smart building technologies for energy efficiency, they usually expect exotic hardware. In practice, the biggest savings often come from unglamorous systems that quietly run in the background:

• Software that notices when a chiller is short‑cycling and fixes the schedule.
• Sensors that stop conditioning an entire floor when everyone goes home early.
• Lighting that follows daylight instead of fighting it.

Let’s walk through the best examples and how they work in real buildings.

1. Advanced Building Management Systems (BMS) and analytics platforms

Most large commercial buildings already have a Building Management System. The difference today is the analytics layer on top.

Modern BMS platforms combine real‑time data, cloud analytics, and machine learning to optimize HVAC, ventilation, and central plant operations. A strong example of smart building technology for energy efficiency here is an AI‑enabled BMS that continuously tunes setpoints based on occupancy, weather forecasts, and electricity prices.

How it saves energy

• Tightens temperature deadbands to avoid constant cycling.
• Staggers equipment start‑up to flatten demand peaks.
• Adjusts chilled water and hot water reset temperatures based on outdoor conditions.

Real example

The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) tested advanced building analytics across multiple federal buildings. According to GSA case studies, analytics‑driven commissioning and fault detection produced median energy savings in the 10–20% range, often with payback under three years. You can see related federal building research on smart controls through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Better Buildings program (energy.gov).

These platforms are now common in new Class A office buildings and high‑tech campuses, and they’re moving rapidly into K‑12, higher education, and healthcare, where operating budgets are tight and uptime is non‑negotiable.

2. Smart HVAC controls and demand‑controlled ventilation

Heating, cooling, and ventilation typically account for 30–40% of energy use in commercial buildings. That’s why some of the best examples of smart building technologies for energy efficiency live inside the HVAC system.

Key technologies

• Networked smart thermostats and zone controllers that learn occupancy patterns.
• Demand‑controlled ventilation using CO₂ and occupancy sensors.
• Variable frequency drives (VFDs) on fans and pumps, controlled by real‑time load.

Demand‑controlled ventilation is a particularly strong example of smart building technology for energy efficiency. Instead of blasting in outdoor air based on a fixed schedule, the system measures CO₂ and occupancy and only brings in what’s needed for indoor air quality.

Why it matters

• Ventilation air must often be heated or cooled, which is expensive.
• Over‑ventilation wastes energy; under‑ventilation risks health and comfort.

The U.S. Department of Energy notes that advanced HVAC controls and VFDs can cut fan and pump energy use by 20–50%, depending on the baseline system (energy.gov). When integrated with a smart BMS, these controls become one of the most powerful examples of smart building technologies for energy efficiency in large facilities.

3. Networked LED lighting with sensors and controls

If you’re still thinking about lighting as “swap fluorescent for LED and call it a day,” you’re leaving money on the table.

Modern networked lighting systems combine:

• High‑efficiency LED fixtures.
• Occupancy and vacancy sensors.
• Daylight harvesting (dimming when natural light is strong).
• Granular scheduling down to zones or even individual fixtures.

This stack is a textbook example of smart building technology for energy efficiency because it delivers both deep savings and better user experience.

How it performs

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Solid‑State Lighting program has reported that networked lighting controls can add 40–60% savings on top of LED retrofits alone, depending on the building type and control strategy (energy.gov).

Real example

A mid‑size office retrofitting to networked LEDs often sees:

• Lighting energy cut by 50–70%.
• Meaningful HVAC savings because lights throw off less heat.
• Better occupant satisfaction thanks to tunable color temperature and personal control.

In short, if you’re listing the best examples of smart building technologies for energy efficiency, networked lighting belongs in the first paragraph.

4. Smart meters, submetering, and real‑time energy dashboards

You can’t manage what you can’t see. Smart metering is less glamorous than AI, but it’s one of the most practical examples of smart building technologies for energy efficiency.

What this looks like in practice

• Utility‑grade smart meters for the whole building.
• Submeters on major loads: chillers, data centers, tenant floors, kitchen equipment.
• Cloud dashboards that show energy use in 5‑ to 15‑minute intervals.

This data supports:

• Peak demand management (shifting loads away from high‑cost hours).
• Tenant billing based on actual usage, which encourages conservation.
• Rapid detection of anomalies, like a stuck damper or a chiller running all night.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has documented steady growth in advanced metering infrastructure across the commercial sector, enabling more granular control and analytics (eia.gov).

A classic example of smart building technology for energy efficiency here is a campus that uses submeter data to spot a single misprogrammed air handler that’s quietly consuming thousands of extra kilowatt‑hours every month—and fixes it in a single service call.

5. Fault detection and diagnostics (FDD) with AI

If the BMS is the nervous system, fault detection and diagnostics is the building’s immune system. FDD platforms continuously scan sensor data to spot patterns that indicate equipment problems or control issues.

Examples include

• Detecting simultaneous heating and cooling in the same zone.
• Flagging a leaking valve because a coil isn’t reaching setpoint.
• Identifying a chiller that’s running at poor efficiency under certain loads.

These systems are often powered by machine learning models trained on thousands of operating hours across many buildings. They don’t just send alarms; better platforms prioritize issues based on energy impact and comfort risk.

Why this matters for energy efficiency

Traditional retro‑commissioning delivers strong savings, but it’s a one‑time event. FDD keeps tuning the building continuously. Studies supported by the U.S. Department of Energy and national labs have shown that continuous commissioning and FDD can sustain 10–20% whole‑building savings over time when properly maintained.

In terms of examples of smart building technologies for energy efficiency, FDD is one of the most underrated. It doesn’t replace skilled facility staff; it gives them a constantly updated to‑do list ranked by energy waste.

6. Smart plug loads and appliance controls

Plug loads—everything from office equipment to vending machines—can quietly eat 20–30% of a commercial building’s electricity in highly efficient buildings. That’s why smart plug controls are becoming a more common example of smart building technology for energy efficiency.

What this looks like

• Networked smart plugs that shut off non‑critical equipment after hours.
• Advanced power strips that sense occupancy and power down peripherals.
• Schedules and rules tied into the BMS or lighting system.

Real example

In office settings, smart plug programs have been shown in various utility pilots to cut plug load energy by 20–40%, especially where people leave monitors, chargers, and task lights on 24/7.

These systems are relatively low‑cost and high‑visibility, which makes them a good early example of smart building technology for energy efficiency for organizations just starting their smart building journey.

7. Smart windows, shading, and envelope controls

The building envelope is getting smarter, too. Dynamic glazing and automated shading systems are now mature enough to be standard in many high‑performance projects.

Examples include

• Electrochromic glass that tints automatically to reduce solar heat gain.
• Motorized shades integrated with lighting and HVAC controls.
• Exterior shading that responds to sun angle and cloud cover.

These technologies reduce cooling loads, improve comfort, and allow more natural light without the glare that usually leads occupants to close blinds permanently.

A good example of smart building technology for energy efficiency here is a south‑facing glass office façade where dynamic glazing reduces peak cooling demand and allows downsizing of chillers, cutting both capital and operating costs.

The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and other research institutions have published data showing that dynamic façade systems can reduce perimeter zone cooling energy significantly while improving visual comfort (lbl.gov).

8. Integrated smart building platforms and digital twins

The leading edge of smart buildings in 2024–2025 is about integration. Instead of separate systems for HVAC, lighting, security, and space management, owners are moving toward unified platforms and digital twins.

What this means

• A single data model for all building systems.
• Real‑time 3D representations of the building (digital twins) used to simulate performance.
• Optimization strategies that consider comfort, energy, and maintenance together.

Examples of smart building technologies for energy efficiency in this space include

• Platforms that adjust ventilation and space usage based on actual occupancy data from badging or sensors.
• AI systems that coordinate lighting dimming, HVAC setpoints, and shading to minimize energy while staying within comfort bands.

These integrated platforms are still more common in large portfolios and flagship projects, but costs are dropping. For organizations with net‑zero targets, they’re becoming one of the best examples of smart building technologies for energy efficiency at scale.

2024–2025 trends shaping smart building energy performance

Several trends are pushing smart building technologies from “nice to have” into standard practice:

1. Tighter energy codes and performance standards
States and cities are adopting building performance standards that set actual energy or emissions targets for existing buildings. That’s driving adoption of the kinds of systems we’ve been discussing, especially analytics, FDD, and advanced controls.

2. Electrification and grid‑interactive buildings
As buildings electrify heating and hot water, controls matter more. Smart buildings are increasingly expected to respond to grid conditions—pre‑cooling before peak hours, shifting loads, or reducing demand when the grid is stressed. The U.S. Department of Energy calls this “grid‑interactive efficient buildings” and sees it as a core strategy for decarbonizing the power system (energy.gov).

3. Health, indoor air quality, and resilience
Since the COVID‑19 pandemic, there’s been more focus on indoor air quality and ventilation. Smart systems let you increase ventilation when needed without permanently locking in higher energy use. Occupant‑facing dashboards that show air quality and comfort metrics are becoming a visible example of smart building technology for energy efficiency paired with health.

4. Data‑driven operations as a standard skill set
Facility teams are increasingly expected to use analytics tools, not just wrenches. That cultural shift is making it easier to justify investments in smart systems, because there’s a clear plan for using them rather than letting them sit underutilized.

How to choose the right smart building technologies for your project

With so many examples of smart building technologies for energy efficiency, it’s easy to get lost in the catalog. A practical way to prioritize:

• Start with the biggest loads: HVAC and lighting almost always come first.
• Fix the basics: commissioning and simple controls often beat fancy add‑ons.
• Add data and visibility: smart meters, submeters, and dashboards.
• Layer on analytics and FDD once you have reliable data.
• Integrate systems where it adds value, not just because you can.

For a small office, the best examples might be networked LED lighting, smart thermostats, and smart plugs. For a large hospital, the focus might be advanced BMS, FDD, and demand‑controlled ventilation with strict indoor air quality oversight.

The key is to treat smart building investments as part of an overall energy and carbon strategy, not a gadget wish list.

FAQ: examples of smart building technologies for energy efficiency

Q1. What are some common examples of smart building technologies for energy efficiency in offices?
In typical office buildings, the most common examples of smart building technologies for energy efficiency include networked LED lighting with occupancy sensors, smart thermostats or advanced BMS controls for HVAC, demand‑controlled ventilation using CO₂ sensors, and smart plugs that shut off non‑critical equipment after hours. Many offices also add submetering and simple analytics dashboards to track performance.

Q2. What is an example of a low‑cost smart building upgrade with quick payback?
A strong low‑cost example of smart building technology for energy efficiency is a smart plug and advanced power strip program that targets office equipment, break‑room devices, and task lighting. These devices are relatively inexpensive, easy to install, and can cut plug load energy by 20–40% in spaces where equipment is often left on overnight or on weekends.

Q3. Are there examples of smart building technologies for energy efficiency that also improve indoor air quality?
Yes. Demand‑controlled ventilation and advanced HVAC controls are great examples. They use sensors to monitor CO₂, occupancy, and sometimes particulate matter, then adjust outdoor air and filtration accordingly. That can improve indoor air quality while avoiding the energy penalty of running maximum ventilation all the time.

Q4. How do smart building technologies support net‑zero energy or carbon goals?
Smart building systems reduce overall energy use, which makes it easier and cheaper to meet net‑zero targets with on‑site solar or off‑site renewable energy. Examples include AI‑enabled BMS platforms, FDD, and integrated lighting‑HVAC‑shading controls that keep loads low and predictable. They also help buildings respond to grid signals, which matters as more jurisdictions tie emissions performance to grid conditions.

Q5. Do smart building technologies only make sense for new construction?
Not at all. Many of the best examples of smart building technologies for energy efficiency—like networked lighting controls, smart thermostats, smart plugs, and analytics overlays—are specifically designed for retrofits. New construction does offer more integration opportunities, but existing buildings can capture significant savings with targeted smart upgrades.