Queens College Heating Schedule

Established and reviewed yearly by the Environmental Committee in Easter term.

The heating schedule for Queens’ College is designed to enhance environmental sustainability. In-line with the Environment Policy, it therefore seeks to reduce energy consumption, especially of energy derived from fossil fuels.

The College has installed a building management system (BMS) allowing us more flexibility in how we heat the larger buildings in terms of both temperature and timings.

The general principles for main sites are as follows:

1. Background heating is supplied to all College rooms, as needed, from early in the Michaelmas term to the end April dependent upon weather conditions.
2. The buildings are not heated during the summer.
3. Building temperatures are optimised (where possible) to run at 19 °C.
4. During the heating period, heating systems will be turned on from 07:00 – 10:30 and from 16:30 – 22:00 daily.
5. Where suitable, occupants are encouraged to help save energy and costs by keeping windows closed in cold weather whilst maintaining ventilation to avoid warm moist air causing mould growth, and, where fitted, using radiator thermostatic valves.

In College homes and hostels away from the main sites. The College has installed independent domestic style heating systems, with thermostatic controls located in common spaces, and personal thermostatic radiator valves in bedrooms.

1. Heating systems will be setup by the Maintenance Department early in the Michaelmas term to the end April dependent upon weather conditions.
2. Building temperatures are optimised (where possible) to run at 19 °C.
3. During the heating period, heating systems will be turned on from 07:00 – 10:30 and from 16:30 – 22:00 daily.
4. Residents are encouraged not to adjust the settings on central control systems and thermostats. Instead, manage their own heating needs by the thermostatic valve on their radiator.

The assessment provided some examples of possible energy reductions that could be made following the implementation of this Heating Control Policy.