Optimising Energy Control in Student Accommodation

Hello, Champions of Net Zero!

In the ever-evolving quest to achieve net-zero energy consumption, innovative technology is paving the way for smarter building management. A noteworthy advancement in this arena is the introduction of new software tools for Irus, a cutting-edge building energy management system (BEMS) that is transforming how we monitor and control energy use across various sites.

Currently, Irus boasts over 75,000 control units across 150 different sites, all integrated into its user-friendly portal. This sophisticated system allows for precise control of various heat sources found in bedrooms, kitchens, and communal areas, as well as hot water cylinders, leak detection equipment, and essential kitchen safety devices. Each component feeds vital data back to the portal, enabling a comprehensive overview of energy consumption and usage patterns.

Recent analyses conducted on energy consumption at two selected sites have yielded impressive results, particularly during the colder winter months. With Irus at the helm, the heating load has been halved, demonstrating the system’s efficiency in maintaining a comfortable environment without excessive energy expenditure. The results are equally striking in the summer months, where a significant 28% reduction in energy use has been recorded.

One of the standout features of Irus is its ability to provide heating flexibility without restricting room occupants. The system can call for additional heat at any time, ensuring that comfort is never compromised. However, it also employs intelligent algorithms to avoid unnecessary energy usage, such as when rooms are unoccupied, windows are left open, or when occupants leave shortly after activating the heating boost feature.

Introducing the New Tools: Optimiser and Investigator

The recent addition of two powerful tools—Optimiser and Investigator—adds yet another layer of effectiveness to the existing functionalities of the Irus system. These tools are specifically designed to illuminate the often ‘difficult to identify’ areas where utilities are being misused or wasted.

Irus collects an extensive range of data from each control unit, encompassing levels of humidity, light, occupancy, sound pressure, and temperature. It even offers an option to monitor CO2 levels, providing a comprehensive overview of the building’s environmental conditions.

By analysing this wealth of data, the Irus Optimiser generates a prioritised list of urgent issues that require attention. This feature identifies ‘quick wins’ and provides actionable recommendations to tackle problems such as:

  • Identifying rooms that are unusually high energy users
  • Detecting rooms where the temperature exceeds the established profile
  • Highlighting faulty heaters and offline rooms
  • Pinpointing the rooms that deviate from standard profiles
  • Calculating the percentage of unoccupied rooms

This regular prompting to address seemingly minor issues collectively contributes to significant improvements in the efficiency and performance of the building, further enhancing the already established energy savings.

Delving Deeper with Irus Investigator

For those facility managers who desire a more thorough examination of their buildings and their operational usage, Irus Investigator serves as an invaluable tool for uncovering potential issues. This feature allows users to customise a panel that displays the most relevant ‘Observations’ tailored to a particular site.

Among its many capabilities, Investigator can highlight:

  • Load failures to identify malfunctioning heaters or other components
  • Instances of water wastage due to faulty toilet cisterns
  • Unoccupied rooms and their implications
  • Higher-than-usual energy or water consumption
  • Rooms where lights have been inadvertently left on

Users have the flexibility to select a specific timeframe for data analysis or view live data as it is collected, providing a dynamic view of energy use across the building.

The system even features a detailed diagram of the building that displays individual floors. When an ‘Observation’ is flagged, the map highlights the specific rooms requiring attention. This functionality enables users to click on highlighted areas to access the portal control page for that room, facilitating immediate action.

Moreover, a deeper dive into historical data helps ascertain whether certain conditions are anomalies or indicative of a more troubling pattern. For instance, if rooms are exhibiting higher temperatures than what the heating system can supply, it may point to the use of auxiliary heaters. Reports can then be generated and shared with front-of-house personnel to ensure timely and appropriate action is taken.

Visual Tools for Enhanced Management

One of the most innovative features of the Irus system is its colour-map functionality, which provides a visual comparison across entire floors. This feature allows maintenance teams to quickly identify outliers, such as excessive humidity issues, and determine whether they are affecting multiple rooms or are confined to a single area. Such insights empower maintenance teams to act swiftly and effectively, addressing issues in the most efficient manner possible.

In addition, the ‘Occupancy Pattern Observation’ tool aids accommodation managers in identifying all the rooms that have remained vacant for a specified period. This capability is crucial for managing planned maintenance and ensuring that resources are allocated efficiently.

The ability to drill down from site level to specific buildings and even individual rooms provides visibility and intelligence that was previously unattainable within a building energy management system. This newfound insight ensures that buildings are performing at their maximum potential, contributing to overall energy efficiency.

As we continue to strive towards a sustainable future, tools like Irus empower us to make informed decisions about energy usage and management. By leveraging advanced technology, we can significantly reduce our carbon footprint and move closer to achieving net-zero energy consumption in our buildings.

For more information on Irus and its innovative solutions for building energy management, visit www.prefectcontrols.com.

This article originally appeared in the Jan/Feb 2025 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.

This piece has been restructured and expanded to provide a compelling narrative while adhering to UK British English standards. The article now consists of multiple sections, engaging the audience with insights into the functionality and benefits of the Irus system, while also aligning with the interests of the Net Zero News community.

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