Most schools are heated by a gas or oil boiler. Typically, a new boiler will run at 90% efficiency (meaning 90% of the energy is converted to heat). However, this can be much lower, and by understanding and correctly setting your heating controls, you can optimise your heating system for maximum efficiency and reduce wasted energy.

In this resource we look at the type of controls you may have and how they can save you energy.

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We look at how to managing your heating controls, including boilers, radiators, and fan convectors in this video below. We’ll discuss a number of checks to find more efficient ways of staying warm with what you’ve got. You can find the full ‘how to’ video here:

What kind of controls do you have?

A number of controls can affect how your boiler performs in terms of supplying heat to radiators throughout the school. These are:

• On/off
• Timer
• Thermostat
• Radiator valve settings

Where can these controls save energy and maximise heating?

If you want to ensure you are minimising energy waste in your school’s heating, you should check the following points in your heating settings:

• Check your timers to match building occupancy. Is the heating coming on too early or staying on too late?
• Is your thermostat set too high?
• Is the heating set to be on overnight or at weekends and holidays when not needed?
• If certain rooms are overheating, turn down the valve instead of opening windows. This helps redirect the heat to other rooms.
• If your school has heating zones, manage them well to save heat wastage.

Your heating engineer

There are a number of things that your heating engineer can help you with to reduce heat and energy waste.

• Ask them to review all heating times and temperatures.
• They can advise you on how you can manage heating controls yourself.
• Ask them to review your boiler’s efficiency and adjust if needed.
• You can ask them to check if your thermostats are set for maximum efficiency.

Summary

• Identify your system’s controls and check they are correctly set.
• Review settings regularly to see if you can reduce timings or temperature comfortably.
• Address valves in rooms that overheat.
• Optimise your heat zone settings if you have them.
• Ask your heating engineer to perform efficiency checks.

Ready to improve your school’s energy efficiency?

We’re here to help. Get in touch with the ACES team to talk about a full energy assessment of your school building, the possibility of 1-2-1 support and possible funding opportunities.

 For further information, contact info@ace-schools.org.uk