Unlocking the Comfort-Efficiency Balance: Why Singapore's 25°C Standard is Your Next Smart Business Advantage

Otto Solutions Pte Ltd
Nov 6
3 min read

The operational landscape for Facility Managers (FMs) and building owners in Singapore is complex: How do you deliver a comfortable indoor environment while simultaneously meeting increasingly stringent energy efficiency targets and contributing to national sustainability goals? The answer lies in the strategic adoption of a single, powerful number: 25°C.

go 25 image — photo credits : https://greenbuildings.sg/go25/

The Go 25 movement, co-organized by the Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC) with the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE), and supported by the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), is not a restriction—it’s an invitation to innovate. It promotes setting indoor air-conditioned temperatures to 25°C as the optimal balance point for human comfort and significant operational savings.

The Compelling Business Case for Going 25

Many businesses maintain indoor temperatures far below 25°C out of habit or misconception, leading to unnecessary energy wastage and employee discomfort. The data tells a compelling story of potential savings:

Significant Energy Reduction: Research shows that raising the air-conditioning temperature by just 25°C can reduce cooling energy use by around 12% (Source: MSE). Scaling that saving across a commercial building portfolio represents a substantial reduction in utility costs and a direct boost to the bottom line.
A Strategic ESG Win: Adopting the 25°C standard demonstrates immediate, measurable action toward environmental goals. This public commitment enhances your corporate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) profile, attracting investors, partners, and top talent who prioritize sustainability.
The Comfort Myth: Studies compiled in the Go 25 Indoor Comfort Snapshot found that a significant percentage of occupants prefer or are comfortable with indoor temperatures at 25°C or warmer, especially when complementary measures (like better air movement) are in place. The perception that colder equals better is a myth ripe for busting.

From Policy to Practice: The Implementation Roadmap

The challenge for FMs is often the how. How do you ensure this transition is smooth, verifiable, and non-disruptive? The Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC) has provided a clear roadmap: the Go 25 Industry Guide for Building Operations.

This guide is an indispensable resource for FMs, providing technical recommendations for system optimization, real-world case studies of successful transitions, and step-by-step checklists for gradual temperature adjustment. (Source: SGBC)

The core of a successful 25°C transition lies in smart technology integration. Manual adjustments and fixed thermostat settings are unreliable and lead to temperature drift. This is where BZERO Technologies steps in.

BZERO’s Role: Enabling Effortless Optimization

At BZERO, we understand that maintaining the 25°C standard requires precision and intelligence. Our smart building management solutions are designed to make this transition effortless and data-driven:

Dynamic Temperature Control: Our IoT sensors and smart controllers provide real-time data and zonal controls, ensuring that the 25°C target is consistently maintained across different areas of your building, compensating for solar gain or occupancy changes automatically.
Optimizing Thermal Comfort: We integrate air movement solutions (like smart fan controls) and air quality monitoring to enhance perceived comfort, ensuring occupants feel refreshed even at the higher temperature set point. Comfort is maintained through air quality and movement, not just temperature drop.
Data-Driven Reporting: Our platforms provide clear, verifiable reports on energy consumption and temperature compliance, giving FMs the evidence they need to report success to stakeholders and track return on investment (ROI) from reduced utility bills.

Lead the Shift with Confidence

The Go 25 movement is more than a recommendation; it is a collaborative national initiative that marks a key step in Singapore’s path toward a sustainable, climate-resilient built environment. For your organization, it’s a golden opportunity to reduce operating expenses, strengthen your commitment to ESG, and demonstrate industry leadership.

BZERO Technologies is ready to be your partner in this transformation. We provide the intelligence to turn the 25°C target from a challenge into your next smart business advantage.

Ready to start optimizing your building's comfort and efficiency? Contact our BZERO team for a consultation on implementing a smart 25°C strategy tailored for your facility.

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