University of Bath

Bath, United Kingdom

Over a Decade of Illumination: The University of Bath Keeps Control with Helvar

Over the past decade, Helvar has played an integral role in upgrading and optimising the lighting infrastructure at the University of Bath, including general teaching areas, lecture theatres, student accommodation, academic buildings, communal areas, the student union centre and Parade Bar.

Building on a Strong Foundation

From the installation of initial systems more than a decade ago to the present (2025), the scale of deployment at the University of Bath has grown significantly.

The Challenge

The initial challenge was to unify lighting systems across multiple buildings using a single, centralised platform that the university’s facilities team could manage effectively. This platform needed to ensure significant energy savings, lower emissions, and improve the overall user experience.

What Did the Customer Say?

“We selected Helvar DALI because its ability to integrate with any luminaire connected to the system. In addition, we required integration into the university’s audio visual system for automatic scene setting and we are delighted with the finished system,” says Richard Hughes, Electrical Service Manager at the University. “The significant savings in energy will help us achieve our wider efficiency targets as well as saving us tens of thousands of pounds over the life of the installation.”

Lighting Control Solutions

Helvar’s DALI solution was chosen for its compatibility with diverse fittings across both existing and new buildings. Key components included:

• 125 Modular Push-Button Panels for intuitive control by staff and students.
• 312 Multi-Sensors with presence/absence detection and daylight saving.
• 910 Routers to bridge DALI and Ethernet.

As a trusted partner, the university recently conducted a real-world installation of Helvar’s new 945 and 950 Application Controllers in busy halls of residence. This project provided a powerful illustration of the advancements in Helvar’s DALI-2 technology. While the 950’s capacity to manage four subnets made it a perfect replacement for two older 910 routers, the trial also showcased the shared benefits of the new platform, including the 945’s ability to seamlessly handle complex existing wiring systems.

“We are highly satisfied with the 945 performance”, said James Short, Building Management System Supervisor, at the University of Bath. “Its enhanced capacity, reliable operation, and user-friendly features make it a robust and innovative solution for lighting control, setting a new standard for DALI lighting control performance.”

The installation demonstrated the platform’s advanced diagnostic capabilities, identifying and resolving a previously unnoticed wiring issue. This ensured a flawless operation in a demanding environment. The inclusion of an LCD display further enhances usability, making the 945 and its features a clear progression over previous models and a powerful asset for any DALI-2 project.

Remote Control & Automation

The Helvar solution leverages open standards, enabling the entire system to be securely controlled from remote locations. This allows for seamless integration with tablet and smartphone devices, providing essential control for the facilities team to monitor and manage the setup. Key features include automated test procedures and fault reporting for proactive support and labour savings.

Building on years of collaboration, the University is now beginning a multi-year programme to upgrade and optimise lighting controls across its campus through Helvar Insights. Helvar Insights empowers the university to:

- • Optimise building performance through data-driven strategies.

A unique aspect of this project is the initiative to “unvalueengineer” campus buildings—restoring original design intent compromised during cost-cutting measures, ensuring students and staff benefit from optimised environments.

Helvar Meets the Ends

To meet the university’s carbon reduction commitments, the initial Helvar control system installation achieved an average energy consumption reduction of 30% in the buildings involved. This was facilitated by DALI’s compatibility, which supported an extensive LED rollout to maximise energy efficiency. Through effective presets, each fitting operated at a maximum of 80% capacity, extending lamp life and reducing energy usage. This feature also decreased the manpower required for maintenance, and programming setups further enhanced savings by configuring many scenes to operate every other light fitting, effectively halving the output.

The installation at Bath showcases how the wide-scale deployment of a Helvar control system can make significant savings to the energy spend of an organisation or educational facility. The particulars of the Bath project also highlights how a central control platform is not just for a single or series of connected buildings but can be implemented across a network of locations which are not joined to impact heavily, and positively, on spent energy.