|
Time controls usually dictate when temperature controls can switch systems on or off.
To save energy and costs with time controls:
- Ensure time controls reflect occupancy patterns of the building
- Allow enough pre-heat time for heating systems so a building reaches this temperature at the start of occupancy
- Reduce pre-heat times or install an optimum start controller if temperature is being reached many hours before occupancy
- Use ‘boost’ controls to switch on heating for extra hours, rather than overriding the permanent controls, to prevent heating systems being left on unnecessarily.
To save energy and costs with temperature controls:
- Check thermostat locations. Room thermostats should be located in a shaded location unaffected by draughts or heat emitting equipment
Check temperature settings. The lower the heating switch off temperature, the more money is saved, but remember that occupant comfort is paramount. The more active occupants are, the lower the temperature can be. Some suggested temperatures for different areas of an industrial building are:
- 10°C in a warehouse setting
- 13°C in an area where people are undertaking physical work
- 19-20°C for office activity.
- Some may prefer temperatures 1-2° higher, however, each 1°C increase equates to an extra 8% in costs. Intermittently occupied areas (e.g. stores/warehouses) may only need heating to frost or condensation protection temperatures.
- Don’t let heating and cooling systems operate at the same time. This can be avoided by setting a temperature ‘deadband’ - a wide gap between the temperatures at which heating and cooling cut in. Suggested heating switch off temperatures are around 19°C, whist cooling switch on temperatures are around 24°C.
Ventilation systems can be controlled by both time and temperature. Ensure time controls reflect occupancy unless the ventilation system is being used overnight in summer to cool the building down.
Ventilation systems can also be controlled by carbon dioxide, dust and humidity levels. Significant savings are achievable if controls are connected to variable speed fans, allowing finer adjustments to the provision of ventilation to better match demand.
|