Energy revamp saves tech client $690k a year across three sites

Every real estate portfolio has its energy inefficient buildings that inflate bills, fall short of evolving building regulations and slow progress to sustainability goals.

But what if you could get them back on track in just a few months?

For one leading technology company, three of its US sites covering 880,000 s.f. were burning through energy at unsustainable rates. In particular, one office/lab mixed-use site sat above the target energy use intensity (EUI) set by the local building performance standard, potentially putting the company on the hook for financial penalties.

The client needed a comprehensive analysis and revamp of how these buildings consumed energy to hit its ambitious 2030 net zero goal and ensure regulatory compliance. That’s when they brought in JLL’s Energy Engineering. Through a systematic approach, the team cut over $690k from combined annual energy bills while eliminating more than 1,870 metric tons of CO₂e – roughly the annual emissions from 406 cars. So how did they do it?

JLL started by conducting thorough ASHRAE Level II energy audits across the buildings. The team analyzed utility bills to understand where and when energy was being consumed, walked through every system to spot inefficiencies, and identified specific opportunities to save energy and money. Just as importantly, the audits pinpointed where retrocommissioning—a deeper dive into how equipment was actually performing—would be necessary to capture savings that basic fixes alone couldn't deliver.

With a clear roadmap from the audits, JLL Energy Advisory took the lead on implementing energy conservation measures, working closely with building automation vendors and facilities teams to make sure every measure was installed correctly and actually delivered the promised results. That hands-on oversight made the difference between savings on paper and showing up on utility bills.

JLL engineers conducted point-to-point testing, put systems through their paces with functional performance tests, and evaluated equipment operation in detail. Many times they discovered problems and opportunities that weren't visible during the initial audits. Every finding was documented in detailed logs, and each one led to additional measures that increased the original savings projections. The team implemented most of these energy-saving measures identified before leaving the site.

The team tracked actual performance improvements in energy use, operational efficiency, and system reliability, providing hard data that proved the savings were real and lasting, and giving leadership the confidence to trust the numbers. At the end, the team delivered a forward-looking plan: additional opportunities worth pursuing, monitoring protocols to keep systems optimized, and recommendations for future investments that would keep the client moving toward their net-zero goals.

The office/lab building facing regulatory penalties saw the most dramatic transformation with a 39% reduction in emissions. Its energy use intensity dropped from 122 kBtu/SF/yr to 74 kBtu/SF/yr—not just meeting the mandated target of 88 kBtu/SF/yr, but exceeding it by a substantial margin. This led to a 37% drop in electricty and 45% drop in gas use, translating to $384,000 in annual utility cost savings.

When combined with the two other office buildings, the measures saved more than 5.5 million kWh of electricity each year and cut natural gas use by over 58,000 therms. That added up to about $690,000 in annual utility savings. Overall, the improvements reduced annual CO₂e emissions by more than 1,870 metric tons — a 31% drop in total emissions.

What’s more, the projects achieved average simple paybacks of less than 1.5 years, with post-implementation measurement and verification data confirming projected savings. As energy rates continue rising, these savings will grow year-over-year, compounding the value delivered.

The benefits also extend beyond the finanical. The team fixed long-standing building automation system issues limiting operator visibility, optimized HVAC systems to improve occupant comfort, and reduced equipment runtime to extend asset lifecycles. The client received comprehensive documentation including energy audit reports, retrocommissioning findings, functional performance test results, and building operating plans, plus strategic recommendations for ongoing optimization and future investments to continue progress toward net-zero operations and support future regulatroy compliance. 

Find out more about JLL’s energy engineering services or get in touch with our experts.