Partnership improves energy efficiency and comfort for social housing tenants

[edit] Partnering for efficient social housing

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.

[edit] Innovative technology

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.

[edit] Comments

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.”

[edit] Partner roles and specifications

Through a partnership with City Plumbing, Vericon Systems and ADEY have made significant contributions towards the smart home scheme with SHAL Housing. The technology installed on the project includes:

• Boiler Control Module (BCM) from Vericon Systems. Connected to individual boilers, the telematics hardware gathers data on boiler performance, centrally collating it in real-time. Where faults are identified, the system also provides the fault code, allowing maintenance engineers to be equipped with the right parts to carry out a complete repair.
• MultiDot from Vericon Systems. Measuring temperature and humidity within homes, landlords can identify the conditions which may lead to problems with damp and mould.
• MagnaClean Micro3 Sense Magnetic Filter from ADEY. Supporting preventative maintenance and recommendations, the filter protects heating systems, with an indicator showing the level of magnetite capture.
• MagnaCleanse from ADEY. Used to flush heating systems and remove debris and sludge, without the need to remove radiators for a full clean.
• ProCheck from ADEY. A digital water test kit, ProCheck provides instant lab-style results on a variety of parameters, including turbidity, pH, inhibitor and corrosion.

[edit] Post installation testing

• All water tests carried out on the SHAL homes failed on the first test – showing a risk to boiler breakdown and inefficiency. After flushing and treating with inhibitor all properties passed.
• ADEY MagnaClean Micro3 filters all showing good water quality from the dashboard so very low risk of breakdown due to sludge, and continuous monitoring is now in place.
• Poor water quality is the main cause of boiler breakdown.
• Benefits to homeowner with new scheme:
• Tenant could save up to 7% of gas use.
• Boilers can last up to 7 years longer.
• Tenant can feel up to 47% more heat output from radiators without the need to turn up thermostat.
• Looking after the efficiency of a heating system can help tackle climate change and support the UK’s target of reaching Net Zero by 2050.
• Each home can save up to 7% (250kg) carbon emissions per year
• SHAL manages 762 homes. Each property treated with ADEY Best Practice will save up to 250kg of carbon emissions per property.

This article was issued via Press Release as "Partnership improves energy efficiency and comfort for social housing tenants" by Midnight Communications dated July 25, 2023.

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