A trial of the electronic thermostatic radiator valve, called eTRV, has cut heating costs by around 30 per cent and the initiative will now be rolled out in other halls as part of major refurbishment work.

The first installation was in 53 rooms at The Hawthorns, with the money being saved in the first year expected to cover the cost of installing the new radiator valves, which are produced by Chalmor Ltd.

These British-made programmable valves have inbuilt features that provide full and individual heating control in both refurbished and new-build systems.

A lock feature enables the energy team to fully programme the valves to suit a specific room and user, locking it to prevent anyone tampering with the settings.   However, students can press the grey button on the front of the eTRV for extra heat when they need it.

Chris Jones, Sustainability Manager (Energy), said: “The eTRV’s are programmed to come on in the morning and evenings in our student accomodation, while being set to ‘eco’ during the day and to ‘frost’ at night.   If students return early from lectures to find their room’s a little cold, they can press the push button on the front of eTRV to gain an hour of extra heat.

“The University of Bristol wishes to provide a comfortable environment while also making the lowest carbon impact.   The combination of gas fired heating and the controllability afforded by the eTRV is helping us to achieve this goal.”

Next on the updating agenda for the halls of residence are Churchill and Wills Hall, with 204 rooms having the new valves installed.  

The refurbishment is scheduled for completion before the start of the new University year in October.