Unlocking €165,000 in Annual Savings: A District Heating Case Study for Apartment & Estate Managers

Managing centralised energy in a large-scale residential development can feel like juggling complex billing cycles, ageing boiler maintenance, refund disputes, and resident comfort - all at once. For landlords and property managers of modern apartments and housing estates, these challenges translate directly into higher operating costs, unhappy tenants, and endless firefighting.

In this case study, we explore how a 588-unit mixed-use development in Dublin’s IFSC transformed its district heating headaches into a streamlined, zero-capex energy solution - delivering immediate cost savings, enhanced reliability, and happier residents.

The Challenge: Complexity, Cost & Tenant Comfort

Custom House Square – built in 2000 and spanning three phases of residential and commercial space – had been operating its district heating system under a third-party supplier. By 2013, the management company faced:

• Opaque Billing: Overcharges and hidden fees on gas bills, with no clear mechanism for detecting or disputing errors.
  
  
• Aging Plant Equipment: Thirteen boilers nearing end-of-life, high thermal losses in a sprawling distribution network, and outdated controls.
  
  
• Funding Constraints: No immediate capital available for full-scale upgrades, leaving the OMC to choose between patch-and-pray maintenance or hefty upfront investment.
  
  
• Resident Expectations: The need for reliable 24/7 heating, transparent billing, and swift response to outages - critical to tenant satisfaction and retention.
  
  

The Solution: A Fully Funded, Turnkey Energy Overhaul

Leveraging on-site expertise and detailed energy surveying, the management company partnered with an energy consultancy to develop a fully funded turnkey project - zero capex, fully insured, and guaranteed to deliver savings. Key components included:

1. System Redesign & Specification
   
   • Replaced and optimised boilers and integrated a combined heat-and-power (CHP) unit.
     
   • Centralised Building Management System (BMS) to rationalise pumping power and reduce thermal losses.
     
   • LED lighting retrofit in common areas and car parks, complete with motion and daylight sensors.
     
2. Procurement & Project Management
   
   • Compiled a comprehensive tender pack and analysed competitive bids.
     
     
   • Administered contracts from award through to practical completion, ensuring on-time, on-budget delivery.
     
3. Finance, Insurance & Grants
   
   • Secured 30% capital grant from SEAI’s Better Energy Communities programme.
     
   • Financed the remaining cost through an Energy Performance Contract (EPC) with the Irish Energy Efficiency Fund (IEEF).
     
   • Underwrote guaranteed savings with performance-based insurance and third-party Measurement & Verification (M&V) protocols.

Immediate Results & Ongoing Benefits

Within the first year of operation, the development realised:

• €165,000 in combined energy and maintenance savings - covering all project repayments on “day one.”
  
  
• €200,000+ recovered from Bord Gáis Heat for building dilapidations during system acquisition negotiations.
  
  
• €80,000 refunded by BGE/Gas Networks Ireland for historic overcharging on site-charge fees.
  
  
• 24/7 Operational Assurance: Dedicated engineers on call, proactive preventative maintenance, and transparent monthly billing controls.
  

“Frontline was instrumental in securing significant six-figure refunds, and I have no hesitation in recommending them to manage any district energy scheme.”
– Shay Gannon, Building Services Manager, Custom House Square

Key Takeaways for Landlords & Property Managers

• Unlock Hidden Value: Detailed energy surveys often reveal refunds, grants, and efficiency gains that outweigh the perceived complexity of upgrades.
  
  
• Zero Capex, Zero Headache: EPC structures can deliver state-of-the-art energy systems with no upfront outlay, shifting payment to a performance-based model.
  
  
• Protect Your Bottom Line: Performance guarantees and insurance shield you from under-performance, while expert M&V keeps you informed and in control.
  
  
• Elevate Tenant Satisfaction: Reliable heat, clear billing, and rapid response not only reduce complaints - they boost occupancy and retention.
  

Ready to Transform Your Development?

‍Discover how a strategic, fully funded energy upgrade can turn operational headaches into measurable savings - and happier residents. Read the full case study here.