With the ongoing energy crisis and costs still high, there has been a growing demand by providers of student accommodation, to manage heating more effectively. Too often in HMOs, the complexity of thermostat operation means the ‘constant mode’ is permanently engaged....
Chris Shellard is a Project Manager and the Maintenance Supervisor for student accommodation at the University of the West of England (UWE). He is responsible for the day to day running of heating, lighting, access, and other practical aspects to ensure students are...
What are some of the ‘easy wins’ when it comes to reducing energy consumption in halls of residence? Adrian Barber from Prefect Controls offers up some practical ideas. With target deadlines set, organisations are well on their way to realising their strategies. The...
In a multi-occupancy property, that has many hot water cylinders, there are several issues that affect efficiency. But, the primary problem is that there is little or no control over water heating, and certainly no measurement or monitoring feedback. As with the tank...
The end of the year is the time to reflect on performance, achievements, and ambitions. For Prefect Controls, 2023 was a milestone. In March Irus SMART Tank was launched. This brought to market the only hot water cylinder that is pre-plumbed, pre-wired...
We are delighted to announce that the project we have been working on with the University of the West of England, at the Frenchay Campus in Bristol has been awarded Education Sector Project of the Year at this year’s Energy Saving Awards. The project which comprises...
How can behavioural change be used to drive down energy use in student accommodation? There is a widespread consensus that the key areas that will help the UK to meet climate and environmental goals relate to how we travel, what we eat, what we buy, and energy use....
Tom McAndrew, Project Manager at Prefect Controls, witnessed an auspicious event this week. The installation of the 50,000th control unit on the Irus Portal! For those unfamiliar with Irus, it is the Building Energy Management System designed specifically for...
Summer arrives, the weather warms, flowers bloom, all is good with the world! But, for students in our universities, it’s exam season mid-May to mid-June. Four weeks of cramming. Then, Relax! Nothing more can be done. Pack the car, and head off for a well-deserved...
The University of the West of England (UWE) is benefitting from investing in a heating control system that is saving energy in student accommodation. Work began during the pandemic. Contractors took advantage of empty blocks, installing Prefect’s Irus system...
