Prefect Controls Ltd
( 4 )
Prefect Controls Ltd design and manufacture heating controls for multi-occupancy dwellings such as student accommodation and hotels. Prefect Irus is a system that monitors room environments and relays data to an internet based portal. Energy and Accommodation Managers are able to log on from anywhere and review/alter settings without ever stepping foot in a room. Users of Irus can enjoy 40% savings on their energy costs.
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Latest Reviews
Although not a common occurrence, we perhaps have a kitchen incident, once a year at UWE, fortunately our smoke detection and fire alarms prevent its escalation”. We initially trialled about 100 rooms, and it just worked, so we rolled it out across the whole site. Since installation, touch wood, we haven’t had any fire incidents at all! When installed mid-term, we had to explain why there was a change happening, to some students, and show them what to do, but Prefect provided a sticker that goes next to the unit with operating instructions and a QR code that takes you to a video explaining why and how etc. It’s easy to use, just press the red button, then carry on as usual. With new intakes of students, they don’t question it, they realise it’s for their benefit and they just get on with it. Installation went very well and was straight-forward considering most rooms were occupied. Prefect gave us a schedule and stuck to it, and they have very good aftercare, with training, issue solving, and providing instructions - videos and all those kinds of things. Automation of this kind just makes my job a bit easier
The installation went surprisingly well, considering the circumstances of working around lockdowns and ensuring the safety of any students on site, and the contractors. We are very happy with the results we are seeing here and we’re extending the system into a new development currently under construction. The use of Mains Borne Signalling for communication between the room control units and the portal means it’s very easy and cost-effective to add rooms without the expense of extensive data cabling. We are really keen on a reset button for the end of the year so that when students return to site in September all rooms will be back to the standard profile, and we won’t have various different settings throughout blocks. The main drivers for considering Irus were energy, carbon, and of course cost reduction. Comparing the same period we saw [energy consumption] reduced to 3.2Million kWh (22% saving). At the current tariff this equates to just under £150,000 [saving] per year.
When we saw the Prefect offering, we thought Fab! This is what we need, more control, shorter running times, reduced energy consumption… The biggest fear we had for this whole project was from the accommodation team. Considering we were planning the install around conference bookings they were really anxious about disruptions to residents. No matter how good the product is, it was the installation upset that could have blown the whole project. To have the reassurances we received from Bangor and Bristol universities, who have worked with Prefect before, really helped to get the accommodation team on board. That good reputation went beyond the product. If we have students isolating and they have a problem with their heating we can deal with it without even entering the building, which was an added bonus during the Covid-times.
The performance has been phenomenal. The data shows a 50% reduction in heating consumption and then a 30% reduction in our overall electricity costs. We've saved around £70,000 over the last year. So, payback is probably going to be just over three years. These results highlight just how effective Irus has been.
