Executive Summary
- The UK building controls and building energy management systems (BEMS) reached a total value of £840.4 million and showed ‘resilience’ despite a slowdown in the last quarter, according to the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA)
- The service and maintenance sector increased its share of overall market value to represent more than a quarter of the total market
- Organisations are ‘increasingly recognising the value of optimising existing systems and improving operational performance’ as a result, according to the BCIA
The UK building controls and building energy management systems (BEMS) market reached a total value of £840.4 million and showed stability and resilience despite a final quarter downturn, according to the Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA).
The association’s latest quarterly Market Information Report showed that the service and maintenance sector proved particularly resilient. While revenues dipped slightly in the final quarter, the segment recorded annual growth of 2.1% to £220.1 million, increasing its share of overall market value.
This continued expansion ‘reflects the growing importance of long-term system optimisation, maintenance and building performance management across commercial estates’, BCIA noted.
The installation value added sector declined by 2.3% in Q4 to £110.5 million. Annually, revenues also eased slightly, yet the proportion of value added within installed systems remained stable. This ‘underlin[ed] the continued importance of engineering expertise, commissioning and integrated system delivery in modern building performance’, the association said.
BEMS are recognised as a key technology for achieving net zero. One of its key benefits is in managing and optimising the demand and supply of energy generation and HVAC technology in response to energy price and demand signals. Building owners and tenants can use BEMS to benefit from cheaper electricity and revenue generation from selling energy back to the grid.
As a report from the BCIA in October noted, appliances will increasingly require smart functionality to respond to energy system flexibility requirements; scenarios from the National Energy System Operator and Department for Energy Security and Net Zero project 10-12 GW of consumer-led flexibility capacity by 2030.
“Despite the clear benefits of BEMS, awareness and adoption remain limited across many sectors, particularly educational institutions, commercial buildings and office spaces,” wrote Stacey Lucas, BCIA president. “Driving increased understanding and implementation is vital – not only to help facility managers and building owners meet regulatory requirements but also to unlock the untapped potential of building controls in improving operational performance and lowering carbon emissions.”
Jen Vickers, president of the BCIA, said the overall picture for the BEMS market is ‘one of resilience. “The building controls sector continues to play a vital role in helping buildings operate more efficiently, reducing energy consumption and supporting the transition to net zero,” said Vickers.
“The continued growth in service and maintenance also reflects a broader shift in how buildings are managed, with organisations increasingly recognising the value of optimising existing systems and improving operational performance,” Vickers added. “As we move into 2026, the focus across the industry will be on steady investment, skills development, and ensuring building controls remain central to delivering smarter, more efficient buildings.”
