The analysis was carried out by TAC Satchwell Energy Services for the Consortium of Local Authorities of Wales Energy Managers Group. Data was collected for three weeks with the Fuelstretcher in operation and three when it was over-ridden. Weather correction was built in through decree-days calculated half hourly from an outside air-temperature sensor.

The device is listed on the Government’s Energy Technology List, and qualifies for Enhanced Capital Allowances.

Actual gas consumption fell from 191 to 176 kWh, amounting to a fall from 1.4 to 1.1 MWh/degree day — 21%.

County Hall has a heated floor area of 30 000 m2 across three floors and a basement. It is equipped with a building-management system controlling VAV units and associated reheat batteries for open-plan and individual offices. They are supplemented by radiators for heating the central core area. A primary calorifier fed directly from the boiler flow header with a secondary utilising local temperature-controlled miser tamps provides domestic hot water.

The Satchwell survey noted that average temperatures in all areas when the Fuelstretcher was operating were the same or greater than with the original control.

Peter Jennings, managing director of Fuelstretcher says, ‘This independent exercise is further proof of the scope for reducing waste heat in buildings, even where boilers and heating systems are under the supervision of a well programmed and maintained BMS. It reinforces research at BRE during the development of the Fuelstretcher technology between 1998 and 2001.’

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