Energy Conservation at the University

Reducing Energy Use

For energy the demand side is driven by energy use and to reduce carbon dioxide emissions it is a matter of reducing energy consumption.

The main controls for ventilation, heating, and hot water are provided by the Building Management System optimum start control is used and the heating circuits can be controlled with the flow temperature being adjusted relative to the external air temperature. The heating zones can further be set up to be individually time controlled for different occupancy requirements e.g. external bookings. These features combine to provide improved control, and reduce energy consumption.The installation of the BMS has seen reductions in heating consumption in the University of typically 15 % and in one exceptional case a saving of 30% was achieved.

Lighting has historically been manually switched in University Buildings due in part to problems incurred with old automatic lighting controls. Automatic lighting control has improved both in terms of use and operation and for new buildings the University has moved to installing lighting controls in areas where it is appropriate.

With regard to building fabric when buildings are refurbished the opportunity is taken to improve insulation e.g. when replacing flat roofs, in some instances walls have insulation fitted, and when double glazing is replaced low emissivity double glazing is fitted.

Energy efficient measures are incorporated in to the Estates Standards Manual to incorporate them in to new builds and refurbishments.