Long gone are the days of a timer clicking a heater on and off periodically, anticipating an occupied room. But the plethora of sensors available today for monitoring temperature, energy use, efficiency etc. are generating data like never before. But how useful is this data?
The adage, ‘Data without action is just noise’ springs to mind. This is where a pragmatic approach to designing heating control systems pays dividends. Another adage, ‘the cheapest energy is the energy we don’t use’ inspired Prefect Controls to develop practical systems that physically turn heat sources on and off, informed by demand, thus not using energy unnecessarily.
With ‘ControlSensor’ energy use AND control is optimised in multi-occupancy buildings. It builds on established capabilities of the Irus BEMS, which is proven to deliver up to 50% heating load reduction, while incorporating new functions to enhance system intelligence, occupant interaction, and operational transparency.
Core Functionalities
At its foundation, it retains key features such as:
• Intelligent Temperature Control: Heating output is based on real-time environmental data and occupancy.
• Adaptive Occupancy Sensing: Presence detection informs heat input, ensuring energy is only consumed when spaces are in use.
• Optimised Heating Management: Usage patterns are analysed to refine heating schedules dynamically, improving energy efficiency and reducing waste.
These capabilities are particularly effective within variable occupancy environments, such as student accommodation, Build-to-Rent and Co-Living property, where consistent user behaviour cannot be predicted.
Direct-to-Room Communication
A notable advancement is the implementation of direct-to-room messaging. This enables the delivery of targeted notifications—such as maintenance alerts, compliance notices (e.g., fire drills), or operational messages—directly to individual rooms via it’s screen. This enhances occupant awareness and reduces the need for physical access and manual communication, streamlining building management processes.
Behavioural Influence via Intelligent Nudges
An occupant-facing behavioural modification tool has been incorporated in the form of automated Nudges. These micro-interventions are informed by continuous data analysis and influence user habits towards more sustainable behaviours. Example interventions could includecomparisons of energy consumption over time, prompts to adjust set temperatures for better efficiency. recommendations to reduce shower time, or even suggestions for appropriate seasonal clothing.
Nudges are generated using environmental and historical data, ensuring relevance, while avoiding intrusive messaging. Over time, such interventions contribute to measurable shifts in consumption patterns.
System Integration and Analytics
The ControlSensor interfaces seamlessly with the broader Irus portal, which provides centralised monitoring and control across various building services. Such as, Space and Water Heating, Leak Detection, Kitchen Safety, Utility Metering and Water Waste.
Data collected from is processed by a suite of analytical tools:
- Optimiser: Detects anomalies in usage (e.g., excessive consumption, fault conditions). Then suggests corrective actions.
- Investigator: Enables detailed drill-down from building-wide to room-level diagnostics, identifying sources of inefficiency.
- Reporter: Makes sense of data. Generating structured reports from a range of data points.
These tools equip facility managers with actionable insights to maintain system performance, reduce downtime, and support sustainability reporting.
Ease of use
Irus is suitable for both new and retrofit installations. Its modular architecture allows scalable deployment without the need for significant infrastructure overhaul. A user-friendly interface ensures accessibility for both technical and non-technical users, facilitating widespread adoption.
It exemplifies a convergence of automation, data-driven decision-making, and user engagement in building energy management. By integrating real-time analytics, direct user communication, and behavioural change methodologies, it supports a more granular and responsive control strategy. Prefect’s approach highlights the growing role of occupant-aware, adaptive systems in achieving both environmental and operational targets. A far cry from a time switch!
This article appeared in the July/August 2025 issue of Energy Manager magazine. Subscribe here.