Leveraging Energy Management Software to Drive Down Utility Costs and Improve Operational Efficiency

Measuring and planning for efficient energy consumption is a tricky endeavor. If energy consumption runs too low, facilities can suffer productivity outages. In contrast, high energy consumption can be harmful to a company’s bottom line. 

The right energy management software (EMS) system helps facility and energy managers control and monitor usage to maximize savings and keep operations running smoothly. With centralized data at their fingertips, building operators can identify utility waste, reduce energy usage, improve sustainability, and make informed decisions to help prioritize action for the long-term.  

Brightly Software’s scalable, cloud-based solutions like Energy Manager and StreamTM  make it easier to track utility use, control costs, and advance sustainability, whether you manage a school district, a healthcare network, or a commercial real estate portfolio. 

Why EMS is essential for facility managers in every industry 

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average building wastes about a third of the energy it uses. This can represent an astounding expense for your business, not to mention have huge negative environmental impacts.  

A robust EMS enables you to control consumption without compromising occupant comfort. Real-time dashboards bring utility data, trends, and costs into focus so you can quickly identify anomalies, benchmark performance, and create targeted action plans. 

Built-in tracking and reporting make it easy to see how your spending compares to expectations, monitor carbon emissions, and measure progress toward sustainability targets. And customizable reports and checklists help ensure consistency across sites and keep stakeholders informed. 

How does data help you optimize energy efficiency?   

Centralized utility data is essential to reducing waste, improving efficiency, and cutting costs. But collecting data is only the first step—turning it into actionable insights drives real progress. 

EMS solutions gather raw usage data across all major energy sources, including electricity, gas, water, steam, and fuel. By analyzing consumption trends, you can uncover inefficiencies, target improvements, and track progress over time. 

Comparing historical data to baseline performance helps pinpoint which facilities are operating efficiently—and which need attention. Detailed reports on energy use, carbon emissions, and operational costs give leaders the clarity to forecast expenses and align with sustainability goals. 

A data-driven approach also strengthens ESG performance, meeting growing investor expectations and regulatory demands. Investors are increasingly looking at environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance as a key decision-making factor. At the same time, many organizations face growing regulatory pressure around sustainability.  

Learn more in our Simplifying Sustainability Guide, for beginner tips on starting the journey toward Net Zero.  

The benefits and essentials of an effective EMS 

By supporting practices such as removing redundant equipment, powering down systems after hours, and automating lighting and HVAC in low-traffic areas, EMS solutions help cut utility expenses and lower environmental impact. This not only drives measurable cost savings but also creates a more comfortable, productive environment for employees and building occupants. 

Real-time tracking and robust analytics take the guesswork out of energy management, offering the insights you need to identify inefficiencies, spot trends, and act quickly. Advanced reporting and benchmarking tools make it easy to communicate results and demonstrate savings and sustainability progress to stakeholders. 

To maximize your investment, choose an EMS with features like detailed cost breakdowns, configurable dashboards, and scalable recommendations to address energy use across your entire organization.  

With the right platform, like Energy Manager or Stream, you can build a smarter, data-driven strategy that reduces waste, boosts ROI, and strengthens your environmental performance.

Energy management tips and best practices 

Implementing EMS in your organization can be complicated. It’s especially important to consider best practices when deploying your solution in the real world. 

• The more data, the better: Consistent raw data collection allows organizations to identify usage patterns and energy waste that would otherwise be impossible to detect. 
• Identify your energy-saving initiatives: Quantifying your unique energy-saving goals will make it easier to find the best solution when making hard choices.
• Track your progress: Monitoring ongoing progress allows you to make needed adjustments along the way, identify key insights, and demonstrate successes. 

Conclusion 

For most organizations, having a solid energy management software (EMS) solution is critical for identifying and eliminating energy waste and meeting ambitious ESG targets.  

An EMS like Brightly’s Energy Manager or Stream is a powerful foundation for your program, offering a centralized, data-driven system that increases energy efficiency and zeroes in on carbon emissions goals. With the right tools and data, you can lower utility costs, automate energy processes, and make the world a little greener. 

See success in action! With the help of Energy Manager, the Davis School District in Farmington, Utah reduced energy consumption by 17% despite a 40% growth in facilities and saved hundreds of thousands of dollars in billing errors.  

Build your energy management strategy with our energy management solutions.