Elevating energy performance across a 175-building portfolio
Industrial and office portfolio taken from EPC C–G toward a minimum B rating, well ahead of the MEES deadline.
Marchmont, a property portfolio manager, partnered with CSR Sustain to improve energy performance across an extensive portfolio of industrial and office buildings. The objective was MEES compliance — elevating EPC ratings to a minimum of B well ahead of the deadline.
Client: Marchmont Investment Management · Location: Nationwide
- Electrification of heating — gas systems replaced with air-source heat pumps in office amenities and localised electric radiant panels in warehouses
- Lighting upgrades — inefficient systems replaced with LED technology throughout
How the programme ran
Portfolio benchmarking
Energy performance benchmarking across 175 buildings initially rated EPC C to G, giving a comprehensive view of efficiency status and highlighting priority assets.
MEES retrofit pathway advice
Bespoke retrofit pathways for 81 buildings, setting out strategies to reach a B rating and addressing both operational inefficiencies and portfolio-specific constraints.
Post-completion certification
Following implementation of upgrade works, 17 buildings were certified as achieving a B rating, meeting MEES compliance and Marchmont's sustainability objectives.
What made this difficult
Industrial sites with high heating demand
Plant running outside occupancy schedules, with control settings drifting through seasonal change and manual overrides.
Cost constraints on fabric upgrades
Plant running outside occupancy schedules, with control settings drifting through seasonal change and manual overrides.
Varying building characteristics
Plant running outside occupancy schedules, with control settings drifting through seasonal change and manual overrides.
The outcome
Calculated energy consumption reduction of 3,035,290 kWh (–72%) and carbon reduction of 586,301 kgCO₂ (–83%), with 17 buildings certified at B and further certifications planned as works complete.
Lessons
- Tailored solutions for industrial portfolios — electrifying heating and prioritising lighting proved critical
- Value of early action — starting compliance planning early enabled incremental, cost-effective improvement
- Focus on practicality — avoiding high-cost, low-return upgrades ensured efficient use of capital
