Stirling Council is to carry out what is claimed to be the UK’s biggest deployment of internet of things (IoT) sensors in its social housing.
It has revealed plans to work with sensor suppliers Aico and Homelink over the next 8-10 years in installing 50,000 smart devices and to release a free app for residents to understand their home environments and energy consumption levels.
This follows a pilot project with Aico in which sensors have monitored factors such as damp, mould, ventilation and other issues.
Aico said that Stirling will obtain the ability to identify the least thermally efficient homes and take intelligent decisions on how to target its capital investment in housing.
Residents using the app will be able to view the condition of their homes. It will also provide guidance on how to improve living conditions, reduce carbon footprint and save money on energy bills.
Reliable intelligence
A council spokesperson said: “This technology helps us manage our housing stock through reliable data driven intelligence, take prioritised investment decisions and improve customer satisfaction.
“When considering our sustainability goals, the data generated will help us identify the least energy-efficient homes and take action. It will also provide insight into the performance of properties that have been recently retrofitted to ensure they remain healthy environments to live in.”
In regard to the pilot project, the spokesperson added: “We’ve seen some interesting insights on these trials properties with several high risk indications of condensation caused damp and mould. This has really got us thinking how we help the resident manage their environment better and discern if it is actually something inherent with the building performance.”
