What Building Managers Need from Energy Tech in 2025 and Beyond

Energy costs for commercial buildings are climbing sharply, with some U.S. regions seeing retail electricity prices jump by 26% in 2025 (US Energy Information Administration). Globally, commercial real estate energy use now accounts for nearly 26% of energy-related emissions (International Energy Agency), and over 70% of companies report they are under pressure to meet net-zero or ESG goals (PwC).At the same time, new ESG reporting standards are pressuring managers to demonstrate efficiency and sustainability at unprecedented levels. However, the average building runs on dozens of disconnected systems and IoT devices, leaving managers with siloed data, constant maintenance headaches, and little time to focus on strategy.

For today’s building managers, the question is regarding how energy technology can cut costs and whether it can help them run smarter, more resilient, and compliant facilities under tightening constraints. For this, building managers need tools that integrate seamlessly, deliver predictive insights in real time, and scale across diverse building types.

This is where MODE’s AI-powered platform, built to leverage iPaaS alongside BMS and IoT ecosystems, makes a difference. Rather than forcing managers to overhaul their systems, MODE connects them, transforming scattered data into a unified stream of insights that support both day-to-day efficiency and long-term sustainability goals.

Breaking Down Silos with Seamless Integration

For most building managers, the daily reality is juggling a messy patchwork of systems:

• BMS platforms
• HVAC controls
• Lighting dashboards
• IoT sensors
• Legacy equipment

Each one generates data, but none of it speaks the same language. The result? Up to 30% of potential efficiency gains are lost due to siloed systems and poor integration (McKinsey). Managers spend too much time chasing information instead of solving problems.

This is where integration technologies such as iPaaS change the equation. Instead of requiring expensive rip-and-replace upgrades, iPaaS acts as the connective tissue, linking BMS, IoT, and legacy equipment into a single, unified ecosystem. With everything in sync, building managers gain:

• One source of truth across all building operations
• Streamlined workflows without hopping between dashboards
• Built-in scalability as new devices and technologies come online

In practice, that means fewer blind spots, faster decisions, and more bandwidth to focus on strategy rather than system wrangling.

Real-time Visibility and Predictive Confidence

Energy management in 2025 is no longer about reviewing last month’s utility bill. By the time those numbers arrive, the damage is already done. What building managers need is live visibility into current performance and reliable foresight into what’s next.

The problem is that most systems only offer fragmented snapshots. A BMS might show HVAC data, while IoT sensors surface occupancy trends, but without a way to connect the dots, managers are left reacting to problems instead of preventing them.

Research shows predictive maintenance powered by real-time data can reduce energy costs by 18-25% and extend equipment life (IIoT World). By aggregating data across BMS, IoT devices, meters, and legacy equipment, building managers can:

• Spot anomalies in real time through automated alerts before they spiral into costly issues
• Forecast demand with predictive analytics, shifting from reactive fixes to proactive planning
• Gain confidence in decisions with a complete operational picture rather than piecemeal data

The payoff is significant: fewer disruptions, more consistent savings, and more time back in a manager’s day to focus on strategic improvements instead of constant firefighting.

Turning Compliance from a Burden into an Advantage

As buildings become more connected and transparent, expectations around sustainability are rising just as fast. Net-zero commitments, evolving ESG frameworks, and regional carbon reduction mandates are no longer optional targets; they’re hard requirements. In fact, 96% of the world’s largest companies now report on sustainability (Sustainability Magazine), and over 60% of investors say ESG factors directly influence their decisions (McKinsey).

This piecemeal approach is unsustainable in itself. It eats up valuable time, introduces human error, and makes it harder for managers to respond quickly to regulators or stakeholders.

With iPaaS-driven integration, sustainability and compliance shift from reactive reporting to automated accountability. By connecting BMS, IoT, meters, and legacy systems, building managers can:

• Consolidate energy and emissions data into one accessible hub
• Automate compliance reporting across diverse frameworks (ESG, LEED, Energy Star, etc.)
• Deliver audit-ready transparency that satisfies regulators and builds stakeholder trust

For industries like healthcare, higher education, and biotech — where compliance lapses carry real reputational and financial risks — this kind of connected energy tech isn’t just helpful, it’s essential. It allows managers to move beyond compliance as a burden and instead use it as a lever for operational credibility and long-term sustainability goals.

Energy Tech that Grows with Your Portfolio

No two facilities operate the same way. A sprawling university campus runs on an entirely different energy profile than a biotech lab, while a multi-tenant office tower faces challenges that don’t apply to a hospital or manufacturing site. But building managers across all sectors share a common concern: how do you invest in energy technology today that won’t be obsolete tomorrow?

The answer lies in scalability and adaptability. According to Fortune Business Insights, the global smart building market is expected to grow from USD 143 billion in 2025 to USD 545 billion by 2032, driven by scalable, cloud-based energy management platforms. Energy tech in 2025 must be capable of:

• Supporting multiple facility types within a single portfolio, without requiring different systems for each
• Expanding and contracting as new devices, sensors, or entire buildings come online
• Maintaining long-term ROI by integrating with both emerging technologies and legacy equipment

It’s definitely about convenience, but also about protecting budgets and ensuring operational resilience. By choosing solutions that scale, building managers can keep pace with evolving compliance demands, tenant expectations, and energy cost pressures without starting from scratch every few years.

Adaptability is no longer a “future-ready” talking point; it’s the only way to make energy tech a sustainable, strategic investment.

FAQ: Energy Tech and Building Management in 2025

What’s the ROI of investing in advanced energy tech in 2025?
ROI comes from reduced energy costs, fewer operational disruptions, and time saved through automation. When built on iPaaS, ROI also compounds by protecting existing investments in legacy systems.

How does energy tech improve ESG reporting?
By unifying data across building systems, managers can automatically generate accurate, audit-ready ESG reports, reducing manual effort and ensuring compliance.

Can AI-powered platforms integrate with older legacy systems?
Yes. That’s one of the biggest advantages of iPaaS: it makes legacy systems interoperable with modern tools without requiring replacements.

What industries benefit most from energy tech upgrades?
While every industry can benefit, commercial real estate, higher education, healthcare, biotech, and manufacturing see the greatest gains from integrated, real-time energy insights.

Why 2025 is the Turning Point for Building Energy Tech

Energy technology is no longer a siloed add-on. In 2025, building managers need systems that connect, automate, and scale. Tools that address today’s challenges while preparing for tomorrow’s.

MODE delivers this by combining AI-driven intelligence with iPaaS integration across BMS, IoT, and legacy systems. The platform is designed to:

• Unified operations: eliminating silos and manual work by connecting BMS, IoT, and legacy systems
• Real-time visibility: enabling proactive monitoring and predictive insights to prevent downtime and reduce costs
• Compliance-ready reporting: simplifying ESG and sustainability documentation with consolidated, audit-ready data
• Scalability: ensuring solutions adapt across diverse facilities and portfolios, protecting ROI and future-proofing investments

The takeaway is clear: building managers can no longer afford piecemeal solutions. To stay competitive, compliant, and sustainable, they need energy tech that transforms complexity into clarity. MODE makes that possible by harnessing the full power of iPaaS, turning building data into actionable intelligence that drives performance.

Ready to simplify your building operations? Discover how MODE connects BMS, IoT, and legacy systems with iPaaS to delivery real-time insights, smarter compliance, and scalable energy performance.

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