Inis Ree Lodge Nursing Home gets BMS Heating Controls Upgrade
Sonas Nursing Homes group improve comfort for residents and reduce energy costs by €8,000 at its Inis Ree Nursing Home in Lanesborough, Co Roscommon with support from SEAI.
Background
Inis Ree Lodge Nursing Home (part of the Sonas Nursing Homes group) is a residential care facility in Ballyleague, Co Roscommon. It provides retirement, palliative, convalescent, dementia and respite care for over 50 residents. Most 58 bedrooms are private en-suites, each with a kitchenette. These features allow residents to maintain their independence and easily transition from one lifestyle to another.
The driving force for investing in the BMS (Building Management System) heating controls upgrade
The nursing home was experiencing several operational and energy-related challenges:
- The existing heating control system was outdated, and energy was being wasted throughout the nursing home
- Multiple bedrooms were grouped under single heating zones, preventing individual temperature control.
- Some rooms experienced overheating while others were too cold.
The site consumed approximately 295,000 kWh of gas annually, with an annual energy cost of around €20,000.
Initial research and investigation
The initial objective was to replace the heating system. However, following a detailed review of the site, they identified that significant savings could be achieved by addressing the outdated heating controls.
The project adopted a "Controls First" approach, with the ambition to provide room-by-room control and monitoring, and to generate accurate operational data to inform future retrofit decisions.
They decided on a Building Management System (BMS) because it would help monitor and control heating demand, while improving resident comfort.
Installation process and cost
The upgrade included increasing heating zones from approximately 20 zones to 90 smart heating zones. This included installing room-by-room temperature control, with a central BMS monitoring accessible from the nurses' station.
The project was completed while the nursing home remained fully operational. The installation process required minimal disruption to residents and staff. Where possible, existing wiring was reused. A thermal imaging survey helped verify the heating zones. Staff training was also included as part of the handover.
The temperature in the nursing home is much easier to monitor and control. The staff and residents are happy.
Key benefits
- Energy savings
The project delivered significant energy reductions of approximately 39–40% reduction in heating energy consumption. This equates to annual energy savings of approximately 114,500–118,000 kWh, and a reduction in annual gas consumption from approximately 295,000 kWh to 177,000–179,000 kWh.
The project also reduced carbon emissions by approximately 23.4 tonnes CO₂ per year.
- Cost savings
Measured and projected savings include:
- Annual cost savings of approximately €8,000 per year.
- Ten-year fuel savings of approximately €79,000–€81,000
- Resident Comfort
The BMS delivered substantial comfort improvements:
- Stable room temperatures throughout the building.
- Greater confidence for residents and their families.
- Operational Benefits
For staff and management, the new system provides:
- Real-time temperature monitoring from the nurses' station.
- Individual room temperature reporting.
- Improved operational visibility and control
| Item | Value |
| Total Project Cost | €69,000 |
| Building Energy Upgrade Grant | €20,700 |
| Net Investment | €48,300 |
| Annual Energy Savings | ~€8,000 |
| Simple Payback | ~6 years |
Next steps
Following the success of the Inis Ree project, Sonas has begun rolling out similar smart control upgrades across the group. To date two other nursing homes have completed BMS Controls upgrade with grant support from SEAI.
The Inis Ree Lodge project demonstrates that investing in Building Management System controls (smart heating controls) can improve resident comfort, reduce energy costs by nearly 40%, and enhance compliance.
The Inis Ree Building Management System (BMS) Controls project was delivered in partnership with Eurotech Renewables Ltd. The project was one of the first applicants under the SEAI Business Energy Upgrades Scheme (BEUS).