Barrhead Housing power play making homes 'smarter, safer and more affordable'

Barrhead Housing is leading the way by employing new technology to make its homes “smarter, safer and more affordable “.

The housing association has completed a survey on the benefits of installing 140 smart sensors in 28 homes at its Main Street sheltered housing complex.

Director of Assets and Communities Scott Stewart said: “We are committed to ensuring our homes are smarter, safer and more affordable.

“The tenant feedback received from this innovative project underlines how - as a listening organisation - we put our customers at the heart of everything we do.”

Scott added: “The survey results confirm how innovative technology can enable tenants to take control of the energy in their own homes and to monitor and adjust their use of it in line with their day-to-day requirements.

“Not only are we tackling fuel poverty and boosting energy efficiency, we’re using real-time data to transform how tenants live, breathe and save energy.”

The survey found energy anxiety in the 28 sheltered homes fell from 96% to 55% as a direct result of the smart sensors being installed. It confirmed also that:

• 91% of tenants now feel in control of their energy use;

• 17% more tenants feel more in control of their energy use;

• 44% see real benefits from using the sensors;

• one in three are attending digital drop-in sessions;

• and 70% would recommend the sensors to a friend.

Asset Manager Richard McLean said: “The survey findings are crucial as we look, in the years ahead, to roll out this type of technology to as many of our 1000 homes as possible.

“I would like to say a huge thanks to our project partners Aico and MCN and to acknowledge too the project funders, Glasgow City Region, 5G Innovation Fund and the Department of Science, Education and Technology.”