13 July 2023
In a first-of-its-kind smart home scheme, Somerset-based social housing provider, SHAL Housing, is turning to technology to improve the efficiency of heating systems and comfort for residents across its portfolio.
Driven by a partnership with City Plumbing, together with technology providers Vericon Systems and ADEY, the scheme has already identified improvements that could be made in 83% of properties. SHAL and their partner Somerset Gas who fitted the technology have piloted the technology in a number of homes in order to assess the value for money and customer impact.
Innovative technology – including telematics hardware from Vericon Systems and app-based onsite water testing and remote monitoring MagnaClean magnetic filters from ADEY – installed in individual homes gives SHAL Housing complete visibility of the health of heating systems. In practice, the data gathered is being used to inform a proactive approach to property maintenance.
Remote, real-time monitoring means faults and inefficiencies are quickly identified – without the need for occupants to report problems. This insight allows maintenance teams to be equipped with specific fault information to quickly and accurately resolve issues before they cause greater disruption.
Peter Boakes, Head of Business Development at City Plumbing, said: “Our work with SHAL Housing, alongside partners ADEY and Vericon Systems, is a fantastic example of how social housing providers can proactively maximise efficiency and comfort for their tenants, while also looking out for the health of heating systems in their properties.
“We know lives are getting busier for tenants, and changes in boiler efficiency or other problems with heating systems can often go unnoticed. Meanwhile, those systems could be getting clogged or further damaged, shortening their service life and increasing bills for tenants. By leaning on technology, housing providers can see where boilers are working harder than necessary and accurately assess system health, enabling real-time data to inform their approach to maintenance.”
Alongside monitoring the performance of gas boilers and the wider heating systems, technology from Vericon Systems is also being used to measure temperature and humidity in individual homes. By monitoring these factors, SHAL Housing can identify potential damp and mould problems and work with tenants to resolve any issues before they become dangerous.
Angela Gascoigne, CEO at SHAL Housing, added: “We’re committed to providing high standards for all of our tenants, and with hundreds of homes across Somerset, technology is a critical tool in delivering on that commitment.
“City Plumbing, ADEY and Vericon Systems have already made a real difference to how we manage homes for our tenants. Being able to remotely gather data on boilers and heating systems means we can proactively maintain systems in every property, so our tenants can continue to enjoy comfortable homes, while we maximise the long-term performance of every boiler.”
To find out more about how City Plumbing can support social housing landlords and registered providers, visit: https://www.integratedsolutions.co.uk
For more information about Vericon Systems and Adey products visit: https://www.cityplumbing.co.uk
