Drake Associates – Micronics data logger helps save thousands in Bristol student accommodation
A Micronics data logger was used to measure the hot water being consumed in a student accommodation block, housing approximately 70 students in central Bristol. Drake Associates, a firm of consulting engineers based near Bristol, were undertaking the M&E services design for several student accommodation projects at Stonebridge House, Bristol and were concerned that the recommended allowances in CIBSE Guides and other recognised sources resulted in large storage volumes. Alan Drake felt that these seemed excessive and with their Client’s agreement, Drake Associates investigated the market and purchased a Micronics logger at the beginning of 2015. This unit was about one third of the cost of other logger units available, yet fulfilled all the measurement requirements needed. The logger was used to measure exactly how much hot water was being consumed, and when, over a period of many weeks. The long period covered a range of term times and student movements to reveal the consumption profile and maximum recorded consumption over any chosen period.
The Micronics Pulse 101 can record up to 200,000 data points that can then be output directly to a PC or printer or stored in the instrument’s memory for downloading at a later time. Alan Drake commented “It was amazing how much less hot water could be stored yet still meet demand following the readings from the Micronics unit. The operation and downloading of the data logger was simple and a lot of readings were delivered. We are now measuring the consumption on office buildings for the same purpose and thoroughly recommend it.”
Indeed, on the next student accommodation project designed by Drake Associates they delivered savings of £20,000 because of the smaller plant and storage volumes needed. This data will also be used on other buildings to determine real-life consumption and it has proved the Micronics data logger to be excellent value for money.
For further information on this project or the Micronics range call Micronics on +44 (0)1628 810456, or visit www.micronicsflowmeters.com.
