"By using technology and data in this way we can run our estate more intelligently, reduce our environmental impact and create better spaces for staff and students.”
Date: 18 December 2025
Over the past year, London Metropolitan University's Estates team has been working behind the scenes to make our campuses greener and more energy efficient. Technologies like intelligent heating and lighting are already cutting carbon, reducing waste and creating more comfortable spaces for students and staff.
Heating rooms only when they're used
This summer, we installed over 100 smart energy meters across our campuses and 900 smart radiator valves at Holloway.
What does this mean? Rooms now heat up only when they're actually being used, rather than staying warm all day regardless. This simple change saves around 106,000 kilograms of carbon emissions every year, the same as the annual energy use of 18 UK homes.
Making smarter decisions about energy
The data from these meters feeds into a central system that helps our technical teams spot problems quickly and compare how different buildings are performing. It means we can make smarter decisions about where to invest in improvements like better insulation or new low-carbon technology.
"Smart metering gives us precision," says Project Manager David Batty. "By understanding our energy use in detail, we can help fine tune how our buildings work. That means more comfortable spaces, a smaller carbon footprint, and stronger evidence to guide future investment."
What's next?
We'll soon be introducing alerts that flag unusual energy use, like heating left running overnight, along with reports to help us analyze data and shape future energy saving projects.
Better control of heating, cooling and lighting means a more consistent and comfortable working environment, while cutting unnecessary energy waste.
Creating vibrant campuses with cutting edge technology
The installation is part of London Met’s Estates Transformation programme, a major multiyear investment to create greener, more accessible and better equipped campuses. Alongside new social learning spaces and improved facilities, the programme is embedding sustainable design and smarter energy management into every stage of development. Sub metering adds to this wider effort by ensuring decisions are grounded in evidence and by unlocking the data needed to keep improving.
Matthew Brewster, Director of Estates, said:
“The Estates Transformation programme is about more than buildings. It is about creating modern, sustainable campuses that are responsive to the needs of our students and staff. Smart meters and radiator valves are a good example of the kind of behind the scenes improvement that often goes unnoticed but makes a real difference. By using technology and data in this way we can run our estate more intelligently, reduce our environmental impact and create better spaces for staff and students.”
