Partnering with tech solutions firm North, Glasgow City Council hopes to deliver innovative IoT technology across city homes.
Residents in Glasgow are set become the first to benefit from smart technology in their homes with the roll out of a new pilot IoT project.
The Glasgow City Council currently has two Registered Social Landlords (RSLs) – West of Scotland Housing Association and Southside Housing Association, as part of the scheme.
Delivered alongside Internet of Things (IoT) solutions and service provider, North, up to 30 homes across the central belt now feature state-of-the-art sensors that will monitor the temperature and humidity levels in properties.
The smart Tempus sensors will share real-time data through Scotland’s IoT network, which is managed by North, with Glasgow City Council and the RSLs who will record and analyse moisture readings every 30 minutes. This will enable the local authority and housing associations to minimise issues including damp and mould, which can cause a host of health issues over time.
Glasgow City Council has implemented the Digital Housing Strategy 2022 – 2028 in a bid to create healthier and safer places for residents to live in.
The strategy outlines how tech can be used to enhance the housing sector by improving energy efficiency and reducing fuel poverty and carbon emissions. In turn, this will help to improve housing conditions, support independent living, as well as benefit health and social care services.
The innovative IoT pilot hopes to demonstrate how sensor driven digital solutions can improve housing services and raise awareness of the tech available and the savings they can make.
Julie Hutchison, Business Development Manager at North, said: “Poor property conditions can create serious health and wellbeing problems for residents, as well as cost housing associations hefty repair bills when issues are left to worsen.
“Housing Associations are working in partnership with Glasgow City Council to try and proactively minimise these issues and create healthier and safer places for residents to live, and with North’s support, future-proof its availability of fit-for-purpose accommodation. Technology and data gathering are key to almost all digital strategies and this project will allow the housing sector to use digital innovation to enhance services, homes, and the quality of life for residents.
“North’s expertise in helping local authorities and organisations realise the benefit that IoT technologies bring to the everyday lives of thousands continues to go from strength to strength. We are incredibly proud to help communities become cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable.”
More than 75% of RSLs in Glasgow have confirmed that they would welcome the use of IoT devices to enhance services and quality of housing. It is hoped that following the success of the pilot scheme, the solution can be rolled out across hundreds more homes in Glasgow and beyond.
Over time, this will significantly improve operating performance, reduce costs, and enhance the value delivered to housing association tenants.
Councillor Kenny McLean, City Convener for Housing at Glasgow City Council, said: “Our work with our partners on this pilot IoT project will see the use of technology that will hopefully improve the lives of residents and the condition of their homes.
“The success of this pilot could pave the way for wider adoption of such technology to optimise energy efficiency, in turn reducing fuel poverty and the impact of housing on the environment and improve the delivery of housing and other services to households.”