Heating Policy

Heating Policy

Purpose Statement  

Accommodation Services is committed to providing you with a comfortable living environment. This policy aims to uphold health and safety standards while simultaneously striving to reduce CO2 emissions. By implementing this policy, we aim to strike a balance between providing warmth and comfort to residents and mitigating our environmental impact. Through careful management of heating systems, we seek to optimise energy efficiency and promote sustainability, and minimise operational costs. 

Applicability and Scope 

This policy applies to all University-owned accommodation. This policy should be considered in conjunction with our Inconvenience payment policy.  

Heating Schedule 

Heating will be enabled in all residences, including in the vacation periods, when they are occupied by students or other guests. A seasonal heating policy has been established to ensure thermal comfort at different periods of the year in line with our climate. Heating will be switched off when residences are unoccupied, such as during the summer vacation period.  

 

Season	Months	Heating Hours per Day	Details*
Autumn	October, November	12	Monday – Friday: 07.00 – 11.00 & 15.00 – 23.00 Saturday & Sunday: 08.00 – 11.00 & 14.00 – 23.00
Winter	December, January, February, March	14	Monday – Friday: 07.00 – 12.00 & 14.00 – 23.00 Saturday & Sunday: 08.00 – 12.00 & 13.00 – 23.00
Spring	April, May	10	Monday – Friday: 07.00 – 11.00 & 16.00 – 22.00  Saturday & Sunday: 08.00 – 11.00 & 15.00 – 22.00
Summer	June, July, August, September	Hot water only	Monday – Friday: Hot water only  Saturday & Sunday: Hot water only

 

Most of our residences’ heating systems are controlled by a sophisticated building management system (BMS), which can detect both internal and external temperatures which allows further control of the heating system. For example, the BMS will switch off radiator systems when external temperatures exceed 16°C. When temperatures are above this, internal heat gains from people, appliances etc. should be sufficient to maintain (internal) temperatures at around 21°. 

* In the event of extreme/unseasonable weather, there may be variations to the times shown. 

Heating Temperature Set Point 

During the period of occupation, we will aim to maintain bedrooms and communal areas at a temperature of 21°C during the heating time period. Circulation spaces within residences eg corridors and stairwells will be heated to a lower set point of 18°C during the heating time period. 

 
Thermal Comfort 

What constitutes a comfortable temperature is subjective to each individual and is based on several factors, such as air temperature, radiant temperature, and humidity. Most people achieve ‘thermal comfort’ at around 21ºC. As the student community within residences come from a variety of countries where the climate differs significantly from that of the UK, we realise that not everyone will achieve thermal comfort at 21°C. Residents should therefore dress appropriately for their own preference. 

Energy Conservation 

Reducing the carbon footprint of the University is an important strategic aim. A key priority for Accommodation Services is the reduction of our direct and indirect emissions within University-owned accommodation.  

During your time in our accommodation, we will be working with you to help achieve these aims. This will include: 

• ensuring you know how to operate the heating system effectively and are aware of your responsibilities outlined in your Tenancy Terms and Conditions 

• encouraging you to engage with ResLife's educational curriculum to learn how to live more sustainably 

• not allowing the use of portable heating appliances unless supplied by the University 

In most of our rooms we provide heating controls, such as thermostatic radiator valves (TRV’s), which allow you to adjust the temperature in your room. In some cases, these will also switch off the heating when your room is unoccupied, or a window is opened. Where these more advanced controls are not installed, it is your responsibility to operate your heating in a responsible way. 

All new build projects, refurbishments and improvement works will meet agreed specifications to improve sustainability. 

Our Responsibilities 

• to maintain our accommodation and ensure that there is adequate heating for each bedroom, WC/shower area, communal area and circulation space 

• to promptly respond to repairs in accordance with the Estates & Facilities Service Level Standards 

• to provide you with temporary heating and/or alternate accommodation where heating is lost. In certain circumstances an ‘Inconvenience Payment’ may be made, see our Inconvenience payment policy for details 
  
  

Your Responsibilities 

• to operate the heating in a responsible way  

• to notify us of any faults with your heating in accordance with our reporting procedures  

• to familiarise yourself with and adhere to this policy 

• to seek clarification from a member of Accommodation Services Team, about any aspect of this policy as required 
  
  

Definitions 

Certain words and phrases used in this policy have the meanings given to them here. 

Heating season: when heating will be provided in residences. 

Heating temperature set point: what the internal temperature should be. 

Heating times: how the heating is operated over a 24-hour cycle. 

Thermal comfort: a person’s state of mind in terms of whether they feel too hot or too cold. 

We/us/our/ours: Newcastle University which is the landlord of the accommodation. 

You/your/yours: the person who has agreed to take a tenancy in our accommodation. 

 

 

 

 

Last revision: May 2024 
Next Review Date: May 2026 
Policy Owner: Senior Management Team, Accommodation Services