The seven biggest energy challenges facing strata buildings

Managing energy in strata buildings is anything but simple. Multiple stakeholders, shared infrastructure, outdated systems, and constantly shifting energy markets all combine to make energy one of the most complex and expensive parts of building management. Without expert support, committees’ risk higher levies, frustrated owners, and missed opportunities to cut costs.

Here are the seven biggest energy challenges strata buildings face.

1. Shared infrastructure vs individual use

Common property assets such as lifts, lighting, HVAC systems, and pools consume significant amounts of energy. Yet these costs are shared across all lot owners, regardless of individual usage. This disconnect makes efficiency hard to incentivise. Over time, levies can rise unfairly, with some owners feeling penalised for facilities they rarely use.

2. Multiple stakeholders with conflicting interests

Owners, tenants, committees, and service providers all want different outcomes: lower levies, comfort, compliance, and operational efficiency. Even simple upgrades can get bogged down in disputes, delaying projects and creating tension. Managers are often stuck in the middle, juggling competing demands while progress stalls.

3. Limited visibility of energy data

In many strata schemes, energy consumption data is fragmented. Some lots have individual meters, while common property energy is lumped into one account. This lack of visibility makes it difficult to pinpoint inefficiencies or justify rising bills. Managers and committees end up guessing, and owners are left frustrated by a lack of transparency.

4. Regulatory and compliance complexity

Energy compliance is a maze of NABERS ratings, building code obligations, efficiency standards, and state-based legislation. For already busy strata managers, keeping up and proving compliance can be overwhelming. Missing requirements can expose buildings to penalties or lost opportunities for incentives.

5. Ageing and inefficient equipment

Legacy infrastructure like boilers, lighting, and HVAC systems drain budgets and are difficult to retrofit. Old systems use more energy, deliver less comfort, and require frequent repairs. While upgrades promise savings, the upfront cost often causes committees to delay, locking buildings into years of inefficiency.

6. Volatile utility costs and market changes

Electricity tariffs, peak demand charges, and renewable energy incentives change constantly. Without market expertise, strata managers risk cost spikes, confusing charges, and missed opportunities to lock in competitive rates. These swings can wreak havoc on budgets, leaving committees scrambling to explain higher levies.

7. Operational complexity of new technologies

Solar, batteries, EV charging, and smart meters promise big savings but add complexity in financing, integration, and ongoing management. Many buildings get stuck at the planning stage, unsure how to fund, implement, or maintain these technologies. As a result, committees miss out on long-term savings and sustainability gains.

The takeaway

Strata energy management is complex, but it does not have to be overwhelming. Each of these seven challenges has the potential to inflate costs, create conflict, and drain time from managers and committees.

With decades of experience across both energy retail and strata management, Strata Energy Services (SES) has become the trusted partner for solving these challenges. Since 2018, SES has delivered more than $21 million in energy savings through competitive tenders, ongoing post-tender care, and tailored long-term strategies. Their dedicated Account Managers go beyond securing contracts by managing the day-to-day complexity of multi-building portfolios, resolving billing issues, tracking renewals, and providing clarity for committees. This proactive approach saves managers hundreds of hours every year and gives owners the confidence that energy costs are under control.

Click the link below to see how one of our SES Energy Experts can help your strata building take control of energy costs.