In 2015, the residents of a block of flats in Hove, East Sussex, were losing patience with the inefficient performance of their communal boiler. For example, the building would overheat on sunny but cold days, forcing residents to open their windows.
For this pilot project, PTL Control started by collecting temperature data 24/7 from both inside and outside the building. We used this data to analyse the thermal behaviour of the building and to provide baseline data for future comparisons.
At the end of the system assessment period, control equipment was installed in the boiler room and connected wirelessly to the sensors and to an off-site web-based interface.
Once all the checks were complete, the system went live. The real-time temperature data is combined with historical thermal performance data and electronic statistical processing. The output controls the boiler, ensuring that it operates more intelligently, and more efficiently.
After the first full year of operation the results were analysed and revealed an 18% drop in gas consumption, as indicated in the graph below.
Since this first trial, the system from PTL Control has been steadily refined. Using data from Wick Hall and the other buildings where we control the heating operation, and combining them with weather forecasting and optimisation algotithms (AI), we have beeen able to further expand the level of achievable savings and resident comfort.