SFHA members tackle climate change: Wheatley Group's Connected Response

Wheatley Group’s ‘Connected Response’ is an innovative solution to inefficient and expensive electric heating which gives customers more control, costs less and significantly cuts carbon emissions. 

Connected Response technology – in the form of a small device attached to the wall – allows people to set the time and temperature for their electric heating.  

It helps people use – and pay for – only the energy they need by taking into account the temperature inside and outside and uses cheaper tariff periods throughout the day or night to charge the heating and hot water, rather than the rigid night-time option available for most people.  

• It can reduce energy use by up to 30% and cut bills by up to £300 per year 

• It gives customers full control – equivalent to a standard gas central heating system 

• It also uses the existing heaters – which prevents material being sent to landfill and extends the lifespan of appliances.  

GHA, part of Wheatley Group, has been working, with support from Scottish Government, on a Connected Response pilot project in 300 homes at Drygate and Charles Street, Glasgow. It will be rolled out to all GHA high-rise blocks with electric heating over the next three years. 

GHA tenant Liz Macinarlin, 73, from Drygate, said: “The new system is a lot cheaper and much more convenient.  

“With the old overnight storage heating tariff, I used to put my washing on during the night because it was cheaper. Sometimes I’d put a stew on to cook slowly too.