Why the Biggest Energy Savings Are Found in Spring and Autumn – Not Winter
When people think of energy savings, their minds often jump straight to winter. It’s the season of high bills and high heating costs, so it follows that it’s a good opportunity to make savings.
But the truth is, if you’re looking for real savings (like year-on-year savings of up to 25% that our customers enjoy), it’s spring and autumn where smart building controls like Clarke Controls’ Energy Management System (EMS) make the biggest difference. In this blog, Clarke Controls founder Clive Bodenham explains why…
Why not winter?
In winter, outside temperatures are generally consistently low. In turn, this means heating systems are on most of the time because they have to be. And while smart zoning and control systems can still deliver meaningful efficiency improvements, such as making sure unoccupied zones aren’t overheated or keeping heating within set parameters, the scope for dramatic, day-to-day savings is narrower. That’s because there’s less room for variation.
Once the heating is on, it stays on – and while an EMS can fine-tune it, the demands on the system remain high regardless.
And summer? There should be no savings in summer as the heating should be off – this might sound obvious, but it’s not always the case!
Spring and autumn: the seasons of opportunity
It’s the seasons on either side, spring and autumn, where things really get interesting. These are the times of year when the UK weather is unpredictable and variable. One day it’s sunny and mild, and you don’t need the heating at all. The next, temperatures drop suddenly and heating becomes essential again.
Without effective controls, buildings respond poorly to this variability. Heating systems are often left on unnecessarily or brought online too aggressively, resulting in significant energy waste, especially in large commercial or retail spaces.
A smart EMS from Clarke Controls is designed to easily handle these fluctuations. Our systems continuously monitor internal conditions and temperature data, making it easy to adapt heating schedules and temperatures in real-time. That means on those warmer-than-expected spring afternoons, you’re not burning fuel needlessly. And on those colder-than-expected mornings, you’re not caught off guard – your spaces are heated when they need to be, and off when they don’t.
Zoning: a key tool for shoulder season savings
Zoning is another key part of the picture. In spring and autumn, different parts of a building can heat up or cool down at different rates. Areas with more sunlight, or greater occupancy, may need little or no heating, while other zones still require attention.
Clarke Controls’ EMS allows you to heat only where it’s needed. Our intuitive dashboards and real-time data make it easy to control temperatures zone by zone, giving you ideal working conditions with minimal energy use.
Turn unpredictability into savings
If you’re reading this in the UK, then you hardly need to be told that variable weather can be a challenge – but with the right controls, it actually becomes a huge opportunity for savings. By giving you the flexibility to adapt, Clarke Controls helps turn the unpredictable into the efficient.
Want to make the most of your energy strategy? Talk to us today and discover how our systems are helping clients cut waste, reduce carbon, and lower costs – all year round.
Make Energy Strategy a Business Priority
From cutting costs and reducing emissions to improving compliance and workplace comfort, an EMS helps you run a more efficient, resilient, and responsible operation.
At Clarke Controls, we specialise in custom-built EMS platforms that fit your needs now and evolve with you as you grow.
Ready to take control of your energy? Get in touch with our team.
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