Controls
Good opportunities for savings are offered by Controls. There are two main types of controls:
- Time controls - useful to reflect building occupancy and eliminate unnecessary operation.
- Temperature controls - help to avoid overheating, creating a better working environment.
Time controls
- Set simple time controls. Don’t over-complicate things: allow adequate pre-heat time to let the building reach the required temperature just before occupancy.
- Use seven-day timers. Where occupancy varies throughout the week, seven-day timers can ensure that heating is only available when it is needed.
- Install optimum-start controls. These automatically adjust heating start-up times so that the building reaches the required temperature to coincide with staff arrival. If you have these, make sure the start and end times are your actual occupancy times.
Temperature controls
- Don’t overdo it. Heating should meet but not exceed comfort or process requirements.
- Place thermostats carefully. Ensure they are situated away from draughts, direct sunlight and heat sources such as radiators and office equipment.
- Add TRVs. Individual thermostatic radiator valves can help maintain a consistent comfortable temperature in areas suffering from under or over-heating. Don’t adjust them from minimum to maximum though — they’re not on-off switches!
- Advanced options. Other controls include weather compensators, which reduce the water temperature in the heating circuit on mild days.
Zoning
Splitting a heating system into multiple zones allows different parts of a building to be heated to different temperatures and/or at different times. These:
- Are good for larger or poorly insulated buildings, particularly when applied to areas with different occupancy, use or construction.
- Should be chosen to meet occupant needs and relate to the building and heating system layouts. Zones can be added to existing systems.
Positioning
The positioning of a heating system can be very important, especially in larger areas like industrial buildings.
- Not every area has to be heated equally. Active people need lower temperatures to stay comfortable. Check areas that seem particularly hot or cold and add controllers and timers. It’ll help improve morale and productivity.
- Ensure thermostats are situated away from draughts, direct sunlight and heat sources such as radiators, office equipment or machinery
- Ensure heaters are unobstructed.
- Radiant heaters can become very hot, so mount them at a safe height and control them using ‘black bulb thermometers’ located in direct ‘line of sight’ of the heater.
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