Irus controls individual rooms from a central controller (located in the comms room/reception). On and off times can be set, along with minimum and maximum temperatures. Occupants can boost the temperature by pressing a button on the room node (CU3), but only to the maximum set parameter, the length of time the boost is maintained is pre-determined to revert to set-back. The PIR on the CU3 detects presence or absence, so, when a room is empty the heat input is reduced, after a set length of time with no activity the temperature reduces to Frost mode.

The back-lit LCD dimmable screen can provide the guest with recognisable ’21°C’ style layout or a custom display can be deployed such as the words Low, Normal, High or Max. It is our experience that the choice of words and or numbers can be psychologically useful to infer a warm comfortable environment that the guest has control of.

For student accommodation the system allows the onsite management team to tailor the time/temperature profile to achieve the maximum energy saving possible while providing a comfortable living environment. Where individual guests require warmer conditions, managers are able to temporarily increase the thermostats temperature and or timing range to that specific room, with a single click of the mouse. The system will then automatically return the room heating to the normal setting after a period of time. This feature is particularly useful when servicing guests from warmer climates.

All options for the room thermostat can be enabled or disabled remotely from the portal.

IRUS can be installed with a ‘wet’ heating system, to control radiators as per electric heaters. The radiators TRV (thermostatic radiator valve) is removed and replaced by a silent thermal drive valve, so there is no need to drain down the system. The valve is simply wired to the IRUS room control in the same way as an electric heater.

The IRUS system is capable of controlling hot water either electrically heated and stored, or gas central plant. The system provides live data of water temperature and triggers alerts when over-heat or under-heat is detected.

Probes on each of the elements of a water tank feed data to the CU3 which shows element activity, temperature etc. By interpreting this data a failing element can soon be noticed and replaced ensuring efficient use of energy.

Each year, National Grid and its Scottish equivalents are paid a Transmission Network Use of System (TNUoS) fee in order to finance the cost of maintaining and updating the UK’s electricity grid.

This fee is divided between consumers and generators of electricity. Consumers, receiving charges from their Distribution Network Operator (DNO), pay their share based on consumption during the TRIAD, which are the three highest half-hour periods of demand between November and February each year, they typically occur during cold weather between 4-6pm, when industrial demand and the domestic tea-time periods coincide.

However, with prior warning, you can reduce this charge by reducing consumption when a TRIAD is forecast. In practice Irus heats water to the desired temperature as close to the period as is practical and then shuts off power input until the high tariff subsides.

Use our Tariff Calculator to estimate the savings you could be making.

The PIR can be set to detect presence or absence. If set for presence, when someone enters the room the programme will begin.

In most cases, and to guarantee greater savings, the PIR is set for absence detection. When a student enters the room and activates Boost by pressing the button, the unit will monitor the space, and when no further movement is detected, the programme will stop and revert to Setback mode.

It is common sense not to send heat into a room that has an open window, as the heat along with the energy budget will simply disappear into thin air.

Irus learns how long a room takes to heat up to maximum levels along with dissipation rates. If the room cools more quickly or the temperature drops by a given amount over a certain time, the only explanation is that a window or door have been opened and as a result heat is being lost and energy wasted.

Should this happen, the CU3 will display ‘Close Window’ and the heat input will be reduced by 50% until the window has been closed.

Sensors within the CU3 monitor humidity levels and report back to the Master Interface Unit. Levels are usually fairly constant changing marginally depending on occupancy and whether food is being cooked in the room.

If damp becomes an issue in a room Irus will detect rising levels of humidity and alert managers to the problem. Likewise, if kitchen facilities are not provided and the room isn’t damp, if occupants are using illicit cooking equipment such as steamers or portable hobs, Irus will detect a sharp rise in humidity and send alerts.

Light sensors within the Irus CU3 monitor lux levels. Typical positioning of a CU3 is in a water tank room, kitchens, corridors and living spaces.

Recommended lux levels for these areas are between 100lux (for tank rooms) and 500lux (for study areas). The Irus light sensor will report light levels in individual areas to prove compliance with these recommendations and alert managers to levels that dip below. Lower levels could indicate failing lamps or lighting panels. In less frequented areas such as water tank rooms, the light display on the Irus portal will indicate if a light has been left on in a room that is usually dark.

The light sensor also manages the back-light on the display to optimise legibility or to dim during hours of darkness

A decibel level sensor can be set to activate alerts should noise exceed desired levels for a set period of time. The sensor hears but does not listen, a subtle difference but suffice to say, it monitors decibel levels but cannot interpret or record identifiable sounds.

Normal conversation or background music is usually around 60dB while heavy traffic, lawnmowers or underground railways can exceed 80dB.

To maintain conducive environments for study, good sleep and wellbeing, Irus can be set to collect data on sounds that exceed an acceptable level over a given period of time for defined periods of the day or night. For example, if a fellow resident is making noise above 70dB for more than 5 minutes at 11 pm – this will be logged and could be used as evidence for a case of antisocial behaviour. Any criteria can be input to reference against and an alert set accordingly.

As an addition to the standard CU3, a CO2 detection module can be fitted. Measuring CO2 is used to monitor air quality.

Indoor air quality is known to affect the health, comfort and wellbeing of a room’s occupants. It has been proven that poor air quality reduces productivity and the ability to learn.

CO2 is one of the gasses that can contribute to poor air quality, high levels can cause drowsiness and headaches, causing occupants to function at lower activity rates. Outdoor levels of CO2 are usually 350-450 parts per million (PPM) whereas the indoor level considered acceptable is 1000ppm. Irus will monitor levels and bring to the attention of managers any rooms that could benefit from better ventilation.

By measuring CO2 in sleeping hours Irus will detect presence which will maintain programmes when the PIR is not activated.

 

As part of compliance with Water Safety Plans, Irus will raise the temperature above necessary levels and maintain them for the requisite time over set periods to avoid the risk of Legionella contamination.

The use of Sentinels will measure the temperature across the water system from the water inlet, bottom and top elements of the tank, outlet, and the first and last tap in the pipe run, logging the data to provide evidence reports of compliance.

With the addition of moisture detection pads or tapes, Irus will alert managers to any leaks within pipework or on the floors within water tank housing.

Coupled with automated valves, Irus can turn the water supply off to the inlet of a tank or the riser of a block, restricting potential water damage.

This leak detection solution is accepted and in some cases required by insurance companies.

All data collected by the room nodes and transmitted to the portal can trigger alerts to an email address and or telephone number to communicate unusual levels or that any criteria warranting an alert has been met.

Irus can be integrated with “front-of-house” management software allowing for automated control of a room’s heating. Connections to management tools such as the hotel booking system can be configured to provide the room node with a trigger to boost temperature when the guest arrives and to lower the temperature when the guest checks out.

As with the hotel booking system, IRUS is capable of exchanging data with other systems such as building management, metering and door entry etc.

IRUS is designed to evolve as new techniques and systems become available. An example of this is the way IRUS tracks peak electricity charging periods and automatically reacts to enable greater efficiencies when purchasing power.

IRUS also stores data, allowing the tracking of a room’s performance over a time period. This data is used to display a visual record of your screen, but can also be linked to systems such as EMMS to track performance and faults within a building.