Can AI Transform How Buildings Use Energy?

Buildings can cut their energy use by up to 30%, and artificial intelligence now shows owners where to start. AI is changing how real estate decisions get made, and in a tough market the case for energy intelligence is getting stronger, not weaker.

Real estate leaders, from Aberdeen Investments to La Poste and the City of Paris, use Deepki to turn real estate and environmental data into investment decisions. That means answering the questions owners struggle with most, at portfolio scale.  Which of our gas boilers can realistically be replaced by heat pumps without first insulating the building. Which projects pay back on energy savings alone, and which are justified by regulatory deadlines, stranding risk or asset value? And in what order should we tackle them? 

A remote health check for every building

Deepki analyzes more than 900K assets worldwide without sending anyone on site. Think of it as a check-up at the doctor’s: the platform takes each building’s temperature by reading its energy consumption, equipment, operating schedules and occupancy.

By cross-referencing that data, AI works out what each building needs, whether that’s better insulation, an upgraded heating system or new lighting. Instead of commissioning audits building by building, owners get a prioritised view across their whole portfolio.

How much can buildings really save?

Savings depend on how much an owner is prepared to invest:

Investment level	Typical savings	Example actions
Zero capex	Up to 5%	Adjusting systems, operating schedules and temperature settings
Moderate investment	Up to 10%	Upgrading to high-performance LED lighting
Major retrofit	Up to 30%	External thermal insulation and other deep works

The first tier matters more than it looks. Savings of up to 5% with no capital spend are available to almost any owner, today.

Technology is only half the story. Real efficiency comes from pairing high-tech with low-tech: AI to find the opportunities, and occupants who build better habits, from taking the stairs to adjusting thermostat setpoints. Engaging the people inside a building is a necessity, not a nice-to-have.

Results clients are already seeing

These numbers aren’t theoretical. Deepki clients across very different asset types have delivered real results:

• Klépierre has reduced the carbon emissions of its shopping centre portfolio by more than 80% over the past decade. 
• Heppner, a logistics company, cut energy expenses by 30% across its entire portfolio.
• Icade saved 40% of the time spent on its reporting campaigns.

This isn’t a one-off assessment. Deepki identifies priority interventions, assesses their return, and then tracks performance and savings continuously over multiple years, so owners can see whether each investment delivers what it promised.

Built in Europe, deployed worldwide

Deepki monitors buildings in more than 100 countries across Europe, North America and Asia. The laws of physics are the same everywhere, but how buildings are used is not. Air conditioning plays a much bigger role in the US, for example, while regulation is far stricter in Europe, and in France in particular.

That demanding regulatory environment became a strategic advantage. It pushed Deepki to build an unusually comprehensive offering early, covering not only energy but water, biodiversity and embodied carbon. Combined with France’s strong engineering talent, it gave Deepki a head start, and the company has since acquired its main Anglo-American competitor.

AI agents for electrification, with enterprise-grade data security 

Deepki completed four acquisitions in nine months. One of them, Camion, was founded by former Tesla and Palantir engineers and specialises in AI agents. These agents remotely assess a building’s electrification potential, including solar panels, battery storage and EV charging, giving owners a faster route to the next wave of decarbonisation decisions.

More AI means more data, and client data is strictly protected. Deepki holds SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001 certifications and commissions independent penetration testing, so portfolio data stays confidential.

Why energy intelligence matters more in a downturn

Higher interest rates and a slower investment market inevitably affect the sector, typically with a six- to twelve-month lag as decision cycles lengthen.

But the fundamentals point the other way. When capital is tight, cutting operating costs and protecting asset value against climate risk become more urgent. That makes energy intelligence a strategic priority rather than a discretionary spend.

The bottom line

So, can AI transform how buildings use energy? It already is, by showing owners where to act, what each action is worth, and whether it is delivered. The savings are real, the tools are proven at scale, and the business case is strongest exactly when markets are hardest.

About Deepki

We empower owners, occupiers, lenders, contractors and the wider real estate ecosystem to reduce operating costs, protect value and manage climate risk. Our trusted data, AI-driven platform and expert consultants turn sustainability into financial performance.