The heating system of a building is only as efficient as the controls settings and occupant behaviour allow. Heating systems that are turned on to full settings too early in the day for minimal occupancy levels are inefficient. Heating temperatures that are set too high waste energy, as do over-ridden frost protection levels and imbalances between set points - that are not optimised for fluctuating external temperatures. Training and intuitive controls are essential.

1. The heating system of a building is only as efficient as the controls settings and
occupant behaviour allow. Heating systems that are turned on to full settings too
early in the day for minimal occupancy levels are inefficient. Heating
temperatures that are set too high waste energy, as do over-ridden frost
protection levels and imbalances between set points - that are not optimised for
fluctuating external temperatures. Training and intuitive controls are essential.
Heating
system
efficiency
Total annual energy savings of £2 million identified...
A representative sample of
properties in three Scottish
local authorities were
submitted for energy audits...
An audit of the HVAC control
systems across a sample of 23 typical
buildings was undertaken - including
schools, leisure centres, offices, care
homes and a town hall. Controls
technology, and the ability of the
premises staff to understand them, was
assessed - with the objective of
improving energy efficiency.
The project identified a number of
general recommendations, such as
optimising starting times for space
heating; setting heating temperatures at
optimal levels; frost protection system
optimisation; reducing swimming pool
temperatures to 29 degrees Centigrade;
and increasing training for premises
staff, such as caretakers and janitors.
Additionally, the variety and vintage
of control interfaces was assessed, with
poor controls, which used old digital
technology, being identified as difficult to
use and unintuitive. Good controls
should be easy to use, and easy to
understand. A graphic interface was
invariably preferred to complex digital
controls - the latter was, fortunately, a
fleeting fashion now largely abandoned
by the controls industry.
If all of the recommendations were
implemented across the entire estate of
three councils, then a total energy
saving of £2 million could be achieved.
The total cost to implement the savings
was estimated at £640k - giving a simple
payback period of just four months.
This project confirms the case for
control system improvements - as
one of the most cost effective
energy efficiency improvement
techniques available.
Thanks to:
South Ayrshire Council
Renfrewshire Council
Aberdeenshire Council.
Three local authorities
Poor controls...
Good controls...