A building energy management system that is present in every room can engage with100% of residents, unlike apps, where the collection of data is dependent on the compliance of occupants.

Creating awareness of the resources consumed encourages responsibility and offers advantages, ranging from cost-saving to promoting a consciousness of utility value.

In many student properties, utilities are included within the rent, but this can lead to inefficient use. If something is considered free there is no incentive to acknowledge its cost! When students don’t pay directly for their electricity and water, they may be less mindful of their usage.

The shift towards more sustainable practices contributes to significant reductions in overall consumption, which is important in the context of rising environmental concerns. Over time, this hopefully leads to an eco-conscious society that takes energy and water conservation seriously in its daily life.

Combining metering with a communication strategy is being used to encourage behavioural change. Informing occupants of their peer’s average consumption and making them aware of their own leads to lights being turned off, less time spent in the shower, or dressing more appropriately for the time of year. When enlightened, there is a greater tendency to adopt habits that minimise unnecessary consumption. This translates to less water and electricity being wasted, benefiting the environment by reducing the demand for energy generation and water treatment processes.

For property owners, metering utilities helps to manage operational costs. Operators no longer rely on estimates, or risk covering the cost of excessive consumption. Data is collated based on actual usage, increasing precision in predicting demand, therefore, greater accuracy during procurement.

Prefect Irus has recently added three features that uniquely make all the above possible.

• Modbus connected energy and water meters. Quantity of consumption data feeds back to the Irus Portal on a block, floor, flat or room basis.
• The Irus Optimiser software tool returns insights from automatically analysed data. High consumers are identified, Heating Profile allocation is highlighted, and Occupancy levels It even brings to attention rooms suspected of using supplementary heaters. Recommendations are given on how to act to optimise building services performance.
• The new ControlSensor, situated in every bedroom, kitchen, and communal area, features direct-to-room communication so that individual occupants are made aware of their use and advised on how to become more resource-efficient.

Irus provides a twin energy conservation approach. Metering - helps identify problems or over-consumption, while control - physically switches heat sources off when energy isn’t required. Operators have complete visibility of utility use and can act on issues accordingly.

Understanding ‘how’ energy is being used is much more insightful in solving efficiency conundrums, than simply knowing ‘how much’.

Utilising the same infrastructure for control and metering is cost-effective in terms of capital investment and installation, providing a one-stop easy to use platform for energy management.

For environmentally conscious students who prioritise sustainability, metered utilities make accommodation more attractive. Many are fully aware of climate change and environmental impact and would prefer to rent a space where knowledge helps them manage their own consumption. Properties that actively encourage energy efficiency and responsible consumption are likely to attract tenants who share these values.