Control HQ helps Coventry City Council cut energy use in a Grade I listed building
Coventry City Council has tracked its carbon footprint since 2008. By 2016 it had cut its emissions by 35%, and it wanted to go further.
The council installed Control HQ smart heating controls in 14 more of its buildings, including schools, care homes, pavilions and offices. This case study looks at the most challenging of them: the Council House.
The system was installed in October 2021.
The Council House: A Grade I Listed Building
The Council House was built in 1917 and designed for 1,500 staff. As a Grade I listed building, any work had to respect its historic fabric.
The old Building Management System split the whole building into just three zones. It also had no control over the air conditioning in the meeting rooms, so some rooms were being cooled while the heating was on.
Before choosing Control HQ, the council had tried systems from two other manufacturers. One would not work with the council's IT systems. The other was a wired system that was abandoned because of problems with the cabling.
The Solution
The project was funded through the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.
Control HQ now controls more than 250 radiators, along with the ventilation system and the air conditioning units. Each room is heated individually, based on when it is actually in use.
Because Control HQ is wireless, there was no need for extensive wiring or drilling in the listed building. The smart radiator valves were also colour-matched to the original cast iron radiators so they blend in.
The Results
In the first winter after installation, the council estimates it saved more than 60% compared with its energy use before Control HQ was fitted.
Radiators at the far ends of the pipe runs now heat up properly. This meant the council could remove the extra electric heaters that had been used to keep those rooms warm.
- Room-by-room control of more than 250 radiators
- Heating, ventilation and air conditioning managed together
- Rooms heated only when they are in use
- No extensive wiring or drilling in a listed building
- Valves colour-matched to the original radiators
- Extra electric heaters no longer needed
Interview with the Facilities Team
Paul Bowell, Assistant Facilities Manager at Coventry City Council, shared his experience of the project.
Did you have any concerns before installation?
Paul's main worry was that staff would not understand why rooms were no longer kept warm all the time.
How do you find using the app?
He finds the app easy to use. Being able to manage all of the council's buildings from one place, on a phone or computer, has been a big help.
How did the system perform?
Early on, some occupants tried to adjust the valves by hand. Staff are now happy with the system, and the radiators that used to struggle now heat properly.
Would you recommend Control HQ?
"Yes, definitely!"
Paul said the system had worked well in what is a very challenging building.
Smart Heating Controls for Councils and Commercial Buildings
Control HQ gives councils, schools, offices and other commercial buildings room-by-room control of heating, so energy is only used where and when it is needed. Its wireless design makes it well suited to older and listed buildings.
See smart controls for commercial buildings or contact Gaia Smart Energy to discuss Control HQ for your building.
Case study courtesy of Control HQ. Energy savings will vary depending on the building, how it is used, energy tariffs and system set-up. The 60% figure is the council's own estimate for the first winter after installation.
Gaia Smart Energy supplies and installs infrared heating, air source hot water cylinders and smart heating controls across Ireland and Northern Ireland. Tell us about your property and we'll come back with a free, no-obligation quote.
