Reducing energy consumption is both a financial and corporate responsibility win for shopping centres. Customers notice when businesses are making genuine efforts to be more sustainable, and they’re increasingly likely to support those who do.
The right energy-efficient upgrades can significantly reduce operating costs, improve sustainability credentials, and create a more pleasant environment for shoppers and tenants.
If you are looking for more ways to reduce costs with a proactive maintenance program for shopping centres, read our guide here.
Government Support & Incentives
It goes without saying that energy-efficient upgrades can involve significant upfront investment, but thankfully in Australia there’s help available. You can search the Australian government's wide range of grants and funding available for energy efficiency here. And review case studies of other retail businesses for ideas. Rebates and grants may cover the cost of things like lighting upgrades, HVAC improvements, or solar installations.
Getting a NABERS assessment is often a good first step toward accessing funding and measuring long-term energy performance.
Where the Energy Goes
Before investing in upgrades, we recommend gaining a more detailed understanding where most of the energy is used in your shopping centre. According to the EEC, common culprits include:
- Lighting, particularly in large common areas and car parks.
- Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
- Escalators and lifts running throughout the day.
- Digital signage, entertainment screens, and other electrical systems.
- A lack of metering and monitoring systems
Again, a detailed energy audit can help identify where the biggest impact could be made.
Lighting
Upgrading to LED lighting is one of the simplest and most effective changes a shopping centre can make. LEDs use significantly less energy than traditional bulbs, last much longer, and offer better light quality. Pairing LEDs with motion sensors or timers in low-traffic areas, such as storage rooms and back corridors, can further reduce wastage.
If you are in the renovation or expansion stage, try to make good use of natural light. Skylights or glass walls can reduce reliance on artificial lighting while creating a brighter, more inviting space.
Smarter Climate Control
The HVAC system is often the biggest energy drain for shopping centres. Remember that regular servicing is key to keeping these systems running efficiently, and upgrading to newer, energy-efficient units will often save you money over time.
Smart controls can also make a big difference, adjusting temperature and airflow based on real-time needs, and creating zones of control, avoiding the waste of conditioning large, empty areas during quiet periods.
Ventilation and Insulation
A more efficient building envelope helps reduce the load on your HVAC systems. This could mean an upgrade to roof insulation, installing thermal glazing or window films to reduce heat loss/gain, or looking into automated louvres or skylights to allow for passive ventilation and daylight.
Energy Management Systems (EMS)
An EMS gives facilities managers real-time visibility into how energy is being used and where it’s being wasted. This allows you to automate lighting, heating, and cooling schedules based on occupancy patterns, set energy thresholds and alerts to flag sudden spikes or system faults, and monitor usage trends to inform future upgrades and optimise performance.
Renewable Energy Sources
Solar is one of the most powerful long-term investments in commercial energy efficiency. Not only are large, flat shopping centre rooftops ideal for solar PV systems, they can offset a large portion of your daytime energy load during peak trading hours. This has the added benefit of reducing reliance on the grid, insulating you against future energy price hikes.
Small Changes, Big Impact
Not all upgrades require major investment. Simple measures like sealing doors and windows to prevent drafts, installing energy-efficient escalator drives, or programming digital displays to switch off overnight can all add up to meaningful savings over time.
Water saving fixtures in bathrooms and kitchens also reduce the energy needed to heat water, while well maintained refrigeration units in food courts and supermarkets prevent unnecessary energy loss.
The Role of Tenants in Energy Efficiency
Tenants play a big role in overall consumption, especially when it comes to lighting, heating, and equipment use inside their leased spaces. Providing tenants with energy efficiency guidelines and incentives to follow them can make a big impact.
On the flip side, providing energy efficient, comfortable retail spaces will help to attract and keep quality tenants as they aim to keep their own costs low, and brand reputation high.
We help shopping centres identify and implement cost-effective energy upgrades, and manage ongoing, proactive maintenance programs to keep them running smoothly. Talk to us about making your shopping centre more energy-efficient today.