New buildings are full of errors – here’s why

- Those who don’t wake up now are going to face a serious problem soon, says André Løvlund from Entro, a Norwegian energy efficiency consultancy.

He has seen countless cases of unnoticed energy waste in new buildings.

More sensors, more potential for errors

One of the biggest advantages of modern buildings is their extensive network of sensors and control systems. Unlike older buildings, which normally rely on just a handful of measurement points, modern buildings can have tens of thousands. But more sensors also mean more potential points of failure.

The uncomfortable reality: The newer and more complex a building is, the more errors it tends to have.

– In an older building, you might have 50 sensors and components. In a new building, that number can soar to 20,000, 30,000, or even 40,000. Even if only a small percentage of those malfunction, the number of hidden errors can be staggering—especially in brand-new buildings, explains André Løvlund, Energy Advisor at Entro.

Many building owners assume a new building automatically performs as it should. But this false sense of security means major energy inefficiencies often go unnoticed.

At its core, it’s a numbers game: More sensors mean more potential failures, whether due to installation mistakes, calibration errors, or faulty components. While owners of older buildings are often aware that something is likely misconfigured, new buildings create the illusion of perfection—which can be even more dangerous.

– Most of my clients look at their new building and think everything is perfect! But new buildings are actually where we see the biggest operational failures.

 

André Løvlund, Energy Advisor at Entro

The costly mistake of skipping post-commissioning adjustments 

A modern building packed with sensors and advanced automation has the potential for huge energy savings. But if you don’t fine-tune it, it’s like buying a high-performance sports car – and never taking it out of first gear.

– When someone takes over a new building, they assume everything is optimized – but it’s not. Most systems are running at full capacity, either for initial testing or to ventilate out construction gases. Unless someone actively adjusts the settings, they stay that way – wasting enormous amounts of energy, explains Løvlund.

🔗 Read more: How energy data can optimize building operations

A race to improve energy ratings

As energy efficiency regulations tighten, failing to address these hidden inefficiencies isn’t just costly – it’s risky. The European Union has already mandated that all new buildings must be zero-emission by 2030, with existing buildings required to follow by 2050.

– Soon, buildings with poor energy ratings will be nearly impossible to sell or lease. If you’re not paying attention now, you’re going to have a serious problem in the near future, says Løvlund.

Certifications like BREEAM are already highly valued in the industry, but managing the huge volume of data points they require is still a challenge. AI and automation will soon streamline this process, but for now, many companies are unprepared for the reporting requirements coming their way.

– No one knows exactly when this will take full effect. But a race to improve building energy ratings is coming, and it’s coming fast, Løvlund concludes.