With energy savings high on the agenda for customers in 2023, the team at Prefect Controls tells us more about the benefits of utilising water tank control.
Since 1868, when the first instantaneous water heater was patented, we’ve witnessed along evolution in the heating of water. With each innovation,safety, efficiency and convenience have incrementally improved, but the fundamental principles have remained the same.
A supply of cold water accumulates in a tank. This is heated, either by electric elements, or a coil of pipe through which water from a boiler transfers heat, which warms the tank’s contents.
Although the method of heating hasn’t changed, the current concerns regarding water scarcity and the cost of energy, means control has become increasingly important to ensure efficiency in the consumption of both commodities.
Measuring up
Prefect Controls has been working closely with cylinder manufacturer, Gledhill, to produce a cylinder that combines the latest tank technology with state-of-the-art monitoring, measuring and management.
The Irus SMART tank is an unvented stainless steel direct cylinder and is factory fitted with high-grade long-life titanium elements. It leaves the factory pre-plumbed and pre-wired, meaning installation is simply a case of connecting the cold-water supply, output feeds and electrical wiring to the mains.
The brain of the tank is the control box. This is pre-wired to the elements, water meters, probes, sensors, and optional leak detection equipment.
Two integrated water meters monitor supply in, and output to, the hot water system, providing accurate data on the volume of water being used. By monitoring flow, should a tap or shower be left running, an alert is sent to facilities managers.
Learning heating patterns
Two in-built pockets (at optimum alignment with the elements) contain probes that monitor water temperature at the core of the tank. This provides managers with precise data for controlling heating patterns and will alert them in the unlikely event of a failing element.
The Tundish sensor monitors any throughput and alerts that hot water is being wasted. Sensors attached to the cold inlet and hot outlet, monitor the temperature of water entering and leaving the tank, while another input, with the addition of a leak sensor, will detect any leak from pipework within the cupboard and inform of its intensity. The environmental conditions within the vicinity of the tank are also recorded, including humidity, light and sound pressure levels.
The SMART tank connects to Prefect’s Irus Central Control system and the data is displayed on the dedicated internet portal. This enables managers to control tanks remotely and gather information without the need to visit individual flats or cupboards where tanks are located.
Will Mills, Senior Project Manager at Prefect Controls, said: “For student accommodation and other sites with multiple hot water tanks, this innovation will significantly reduce unnecessary energy consumption. But, it also provides energy managers with data to inform their future energy strategies and understanding of energy-use patterns.”
In the summer of 2021 Prefect equipment was installed at a student accommodation site and controlled 39 existing tanks. The performance of the tanks was monitored accurately for the first time. In Spring 2022 these were replaced with Irus ready tanks.
Data collected between September and November for both years provides a direct comparison between old and new. The data is very encouraging and shows energy savings of 17.5% during the three month like-for-like monitoring periods.
To get more details about the Irus Smart Tank, click here
