Efficiency through innovation
Smart building energy management at Spirella House
CMSL delivered smart building energy management at Spirella House using IoT sensors, BMS insight and occupancy data.
The aim was clear. Improve energy use, strengthen operational control, and support comfort within a Grade II listed building.
With better data, the team could see how the building was performing in real time. From there, targeted improvements could be made with more confidence.
Services provided
Mechanical, electrical and public health services
• Full M&E planned and reactive maintenance
• HVAC maintenance and optimisation
• Boiler and hot water services maintenance
• Air handling unit and ventilation monitoring
• Water hygiene and statutory compliance
Smart building monitoring
• BMS monitoring and issue diagnosis
• IoT sensor installation
• Real time performance monitoring
• Occupancy and environmental monitoring
• Data led fault detection
• Operational improvements
• Energy optimisation support
Background
Spirella House is a Grade II listed landmark in Letchworth.
Built in 1912 as a corset factory, the building later became a modern business centre in 1996 through the Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation.
CMSL was appointed to manage the mechanical and electrical services across the site.
At the time, no modern smart technology was in place. Therefore, there was a clear opportunity to improve performance through intelligent monitoring and better site data.
Instead of relying on assumptions, the team focused on understanding how the building worked day to day. This helped identify inefficiencies and shape the right improvements.
Actions
• IoT sensors were installed across key plant areas to monitor internal temperatures, HVAC equipment, boilers, hot water services and air handling units.
• To build a clearer picture of site use, occupancy sensors were also installed across relevant areas.
• Smart monitoring alerts then helped the team track plant performance and spot inefficiencies as they happened.
• After reviewing the data, CMSL aligned HVAC operation more closely with occupancy patterns.
• The same review also highlighted long standing BMS issues that were affecting performance.
• Once the issues were understood, targeted adjustments improved energy use while maintaining comfort and compliance.
Outcomes
• Energy consumption reduced by 60 percent year on year in July.
• Predicted annual savings reached approximately £100,000.
• More accurate monitoring gave the team better control over building performance.
• In addition, reduced energy waste helped improve the site’s sustainability performance.
• A historic building with no previous smart technology gained a practical, data led approach to energy management.
• Overall, the project created a strong example of how IoT enabled monitoring can support complex buildings.
Smart building energy management outcome
This project shows how smart building energy management can reduce waste, improve control and support long term building performance.
It also reflects CMSL’s practical approach to innovation. First, understand the building. Then, use the data. Finally, make changes that genuinely help.
