Social housing providers face a growing challenge: how to move beyond box-ticking compliance and deliver real, lasting safety for residents….
Redefining Fire Safety in Social Housing: The Vericon & Hispec Partnership
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AutoFill: Your Solution to Pressure-Related Heating Issues
The Importance of Reliable Heating
As temperatures drop, the reliability of your residents’ heating systems becomes paramount. Pressure-related issues are all too common, leading to costly repairs, inconvenient breakdowns, and unhappy residents. In fact, under-pressure faults are the most common reason for boiler faults, resulting in systems shutting down and leaving residents without heating or hot water until the issue is resolved. According to Rightio, up to 45% of people have experienced a boiler breakdown in the winter, highlighting the importance of proactive maintenance during the colder months.
The Cost of Under-Pressure Faults
When under-pressure faults occur, they often require immediate attention from an engineer. This can lead to increased costs for emergency callouts, not to mention the inconvenience and potential disruption for residents. By preventing these faults from occurring in the first place, social housing providers can avoid these unnecessary expenses and ensure residents stay warm and comfortable.
Introducing Vericon’s AutoFill
Vericon Systems’ AutoFill is the intelligent solution you need. This innovative device intelligently monitors and automatically repressurises central heating systems, preventing pressure-related issues before they become major headaches. With real-time notifications and alerts, your team can conduct proactive maintenance to keep systems in optimal condition – no matter the temperature outside. AutoFill records each top-up made, along with the corresponding date and time, providing a clear history of maintenance activities.
Proactive Maintenance with AutoFill
If another top-up is required within 90 days, the system will flag it for an engineer to attend to, ensuring potential issues are addressed promptly. In the event of a third top-up being necessary, AutoFill will deactivate the device and immediately alert an engineer to ensure urgent assistance and prevent any further top-ups, minimising downtime and disruption for residents.
Benefits of Partnering with Vericon Systems
AutoFill is universally compatible with traditional boilers, making it the perfect addition to your existing infrastructure. By partnering with Vericon Systems, you’ll not only streamline your heating maintenance but also enhance resident satisfaction, reduce costs, and stay compliant.
Take the First Step
Don’t let pressure-related issues leave your residents in the cold this winter. Discover how Vericon’s AutoFill can revolutionise your approach to heating system maintenance.
Is your organisation ready to embrace a more proactive, efficient approach to heating maintenance? Our team is here to discuss how Vericon Systems can help you transform your operations and improve the lives of your residents.
Would you like to find out more?
For more information about how Vericon’s products can benefit your housing application call 01242 582 555 or email [email protected]
Together, we can make a significant impact in combating fuel poverty and ensuring a better future for social housing.
Deliver Successful Wave 3 Projects with Real-Time Data Insights from Vericon
The Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund Wave 3 (WH:SHF) supports the Government’s Warm Homes Plan by providing funding to upgrade the energy efficiency of social housing in England. The fund aims to reduce carbon emissions, tackle fuel poverty, and support green jobs. Here’s how Vericon Systems empowers housing providers to make informed decisions about retrofit measures, supporting a robust WH:SHF application:
Eligibility and Funding Allocation
WH:SHF Wave 3 is open to local authorities, combined authorities, registered social housing providers, and registered charities that own social housing in England. Funding will be allocated to projects that upgrade social housing stock to an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band C standard, prioritising homes currently in bands D to G. The fund encourages the use of energy efficiency measures and low-carbon heating solutions.
Measuring Retrofit Success with Vericon
The WH:SHF Wave 3 guidance favours applications that utilise Internet of Things (IoT) data to measure pre- and post-retrofit property improvements. This is particularly relevant for the Strategic Partnerships funding stream. Vericon Systems specialises in providing IoT-enabled monitoring solutions that track the effectiveness of retrofit measures.
By collecting real-time data on energy consumption, heating system performance, temperature, and moisture levels, Vericon empowers housing providers to:
- Quantify the impact of retrofit interventions on energy efficiency and carbon reduction
- Identify the most effective retrofit measures for specific property archetypes
- Optimise retrofit strategies based on data-driven insights
- Strengthen WH:SHF funding applications with robust, data-driven evidence
Vericon’s IoT Solutions
Vericon’s product suite includes a range of IoT environmental sensors, boiler and ASHP monitoring solutions and an online data analytics platform, designed to provide granular insights into building performance. Their solutions include:
- Boiler and Heat Pump Monitoring: Heating and Environmental Pack (BCM + MultiDOTs): Monitor the performance of air source heat pumps (ASHPs) and boilers, and manage heating and home environments. Gain insights into home habitability, heating efficiencies, and potential damp and mould issues while Identifing optimisation opportunities.
- Energy Monitoring (PowerSense): Monitor real-time energy consumption to measure the impact of retrofit measures on energy efficiency.
- Temperature and Humidity Sensors (Surveyor Cube): Track room by room environmental conditions, assessing resident comfort and wellbeing, and identifying potential issues related to moisture and mould.
- Data Analytics Platform (Connect): Visualise the data and generate actionable insights to optimise retrofit strategies and building performance.
Vericon’s Value Proposition
Vericon Systems offers a unique opportunity for social housing providers to invest in IoT-enabled monitoring and maximise the success of their WH:SHF applications. By leveraging Vericon’s solutions, providers can:
- Enhance their funding bids by demonstrating a data-driven approach to retrofitting
- Ensure retrofit measures achieve the desired energy efficiency and carbon reduction outcomes
- Optimise long-term asset performance and maintenance strategies
- Improve resident comfort and wellbeing through data-driven property management
The WH:SHF Wave 3 presents a significant opportunity for social housing providers to secure funding for retrofitting their stock to meet EPC band C standards. By partnering with Vericon Systems, providers can leverage IoT data to measure retrofit success, optimise strategies, and strengthen their funding applications. Vericon empowers providers to make data-driven decisions, ensuring retrofit measures deliver the desired energy efficiency, carbon reduction, and resident wellbeing outcomes.
Would you like to find out more?
For more information about how Vericon’s products can benefit your housing application call 01242 582 555 or email [email protected]
Together, we can make a significant impact in combating fuel poverty and ensuring a better future for social housing.
How Vericon Systems is Helping Plus Dane Housing Combat Damp and Mould
Plus Dane Housing, a social housing group managing over 13,500 homes across Cheshire and Merseyside, has taken a significant step towards enhancing the living conditions of its tenants. Through a new collaboration with Vericon Systems, Plus Dane is leveraging intelligent remote monitoring and management technology to address and prevent the harmful effects of damp and mould in its estate.
A Partnership for Healthier Homes
Plus Dane Housing is not just about providing homes; it’s about creating supportive environments where residents can live comfortably. This mission has led to the installation of Vericon’s Surveyor Cube system, a cutting-edge solution designed specifically to identify and mitigate the root causes of damp and mould issues within properties.
The Surveyor Cube system integrates Vericon’s plug-and-play boiler control module (BCM) with MultiDOT temperature and humidity level sensors. These components can be swiftly and easily installed throughout each property in mere minutes, requiring no specialist knowledge or tools. This ease of installation ensures minimal disruption while providing maximum impact.
Real-Time Monitoring and Management
One of the standout features of the Vericon system is its dedicated online portal. This platform enables Plus Dane to monitor and manage the environmental conditions of every home remotely. By instantly viewing and analyzing data on temperature and humidity levels, Plus Dane can proactively address issues before they escalate into significant problems.
Chris Roberts, Sustainability Manager at Plus Dane Housing, highlights the immediate benefits of this technology:
“Although the Vericon system has only been live for a matter of months, we are already seeing positive results,” he says. “With the ability to proactively monitor, manage, and evaluate humidity levels within our properties, we can prevent the build-up of damp and mould and all of the problems they bring. Vericon’s ongoing service and support has been first class.”
Technology for Better Living
The collaboration between Plus Dane Housing and Vericon Systems exemplifies how the appropriate use of technology can significantly improve residents’ welfare.
Bernard Cook, Managing Director at Vericon Systems, underscores the importance of this integration:
“The integration of connected technology for detecting damp and mould can play a vital role in improving the living conditions of residents and in demonstrating a landlord’s commitment to best practice.”
The advantages of connected technology for social housing providers are manifold. From enhancing efficiency and achieving cost savings to ensuring the well-being of residents, the benefits are clear and compelling.
Plus Dane Housing’s partnership with Vericon Systems showcases a proactive approach to maintaining healthy living environments for social housing residents. By embracing intelligent remote monitoring and management technology, Plus Dane is setting a benchmark for other housing providers to follow, demonstrating that innovation and care can go hand in hand to create better living conditions for all.
Would you like to find out more?
For more information about how Vericon’s damp & mould monitoring products can benefit your housing projects call 01242 582 555 or email [email protected]
Together, we can make a significant impact in combating fuel poverty and ensuring a better future for social housing.
The Importance of Power Monitoring in UK Social Housing
In today’s technologically advanced world, power monitoring has become an essential aspect of building management. From ensuring energy efficiency to preventing costly downtimes, power monitoring provides a comprehensive solution for managing and optimising energy usage. This is especially crucial in UK social housing, where efficient energy use can significantly impact the quality of life for residents.
Whether dealing with older housing stock or new builds, implementing power monitoring systems is vital for maintaining and improving living conditions.
What is Power Monitoring?
Power monitoring involves the continuous tracking and analysis of electrical energy usage within a building or housing complex. It can utilize power meters and sensors to measure voltage, current, and other electrical parameters. These components work together to provide detailed insights into energy consumption patterns, helping to identify inefficiencies and areas for improvement.
Vericon’s PowerSense offers comprehensive energy usage monitoring that is both connected and agnostic, making it a versatile solution for various housing setups, including older housing stock and new builds.
Benefits of Power Monitoring:
Energy Efficiency:
Power monitoring helps identify areas of energy wastage, allowing housing managers to implement strategies to optimize energy usage. By analyzing power consumption data, inefficiencies can be pinpointed and corrected, leading to significant energy savings.
Cost Savings:
Reducing energy consumption directly translates to lower utility bills. Additionally, power monitoring can prevent equipment failures by identifying irregularities in energy usage, thereby avoiding costly repairs and downtime. For social housing, these savings can be reinvested in other essential services.
Preventive Maintenance:
With real-time data from power monitoring systems, potential electrical issues can be predicted and addressed before they escalate. This proactive approach to maintenance ensures the longevity and reliability of electrical systems, reducing the likelihood of outages that could disrupt residents’ lives.
Decarbonisation:
Improved energy consumption through power monitoring significantly contributes to decarbonisation efforts. By identifying and eliminating energy inefficiencies, housing providers can reduce the carbon footprint of their properties. This aligns with the UK’s broader goals of achieving net-zero emissions and promoting sustainability.
Applications of Power Monitoring:
Older Housing Stock:
Many social housing units in the UK consist of older buildings that may have outdated electrical systems. Power monitoring can help identify and address inefficiencies in these older systems, ensuring that they operate more efficiently and safely.
New Housing Stock:
In new builds, power monitoring can be integrated from the outset to ensure optimal energy usage. This proactive approach helps in maintaining energy efficiency and reducing long-term operational costs.
Individual Residences:
Residents in social housing can benefit from power monitoring by improving energy efficiency and reducing utility bills. Smart home technologies that integrate power monitoring can provide real-time feedback on energy usage, empowering residents to make informed decisions about their energy consumption.
Critical Facilities in Social Housing:
Ensuring uninterrupted power supply in community centers, healthcare facilities, and other critical infrastructure within social housing complexes is vital. Power monitoring ensures these facilities operate smoothly by detecting and addressing potential power issues promptly.
Portfolio Management
Housing providers can monitor a full portfolio of homes through a single portal. This centralised management system allows for a holistic view of energy consumption across multiple properties, making it easier to identify patterns, address inefficiencies, and implement energy-saving measures on a broader scale.
How Residents Benefit:
Residents benefit from reduced utility bills and more reliable services. By identifying and addressing energy inefficiencies, housing providers can ensure that residents have access to consistent heating, lighting, and other essential services without unexpected interruptions.
Vericon’s PowerSense also aids in monitoring future heating systems as the industry transitions away from gas-fired boilers, ensuring residents continue to receive efficient and sustainable heating solutions.
The Integration of IoT and Smart Technologies:
The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) and smart technologies is set to revolutionise power monitoring. Advanced sensors and analytics will provide even more granular insights into energy consumption. These technologies facilitate real-time monitoring and control, allowing for immediate adjustments to optimise energy usage.
Vericon’s smart technologies, such as the HomeHub App, offer features like direct communication with residents and real-time monitoring, enhancing the overall effectiveness of power monitoring systems.
The Integration of IoT and Smart Technologies:
The integration of Internet of Things (IoT) and smart technologies is set to revolutionise power monitoring. Advanced sensors and analytics will provide even more granular insights into energy consumption. These technologies facilitate real-time monitoring and control, allowing for immediate adjustments to optimise energy usage.
Vericon’s smart technologies, such as the HomeHub App, offer features like direct communication with residents and real-time monitoring, enhancing the overall effectiveness of power monitoring systems.
Power monitoring is not just a luxury but a necessity in today’s energy-conscious world. By adopting power monitoring solutions, housing managers can enhance energy efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure the smooth operation of their facilities.
Improved energy consumption through power monitoring plays a crucial role in decarbonisation efforts, supporting the UK’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions. The ability to monitor a full portfolio of homes through a single portal further simplifies management and maximises efficiency.
Embracing these technologies will pave the way for more sustainable and efficient building management practices, ultimately improving the quality of life for residents.
Would you like to find out more?
For more information about how Vericon’s power monitoring products can benefit your housing projects call 01242 582 555 or email [email protected]
Together, we can make a significant impact in combating fuel poverty and ensuring a better future for social housing.
Simplifying Emergency Lighting Testing for Social Housing Professionals
Ensuring the safety and compliance of emergency lighting in social housing properties is a critical responsibility for landlords. Traditional testing methods can be cumbersome, costly, and time-consuming. However, Vericon Systems offers an innovative solution to streamline this process, making it more efficient and reliable with our EmeRed device.
The Importance of Emergency Lighting Compliance
All landlords have a statutory requirement to ensure the emergency lights within a property are operational and capable of illuminating an area for three hours according to BS5266. This is essential to guarantee that residents can safely exit a building or that emergency services can enter during a crisis.
Introducing EmeRed: A Smarter Solution
The EmeRed device is a retrofittable product designed to carry out all statutory testing requirements under BS5266, BS50172, and other relevant standards. Once installed within an existing emergency luminaire or pre-installed in a new fitting, the EmeRed device automates the testing process for the next 10 years.
Key Benefits of EmeRed
Cost-Effective Compliance:
With a return on investment of under two years, EmeRed significantly reduces the costs associated with traditional testing methods.
Automated Testing:
EmeRed conducts monthly operational “flick” tests and an annual three-hour drain down test, simulating a loss of power and ensuring the battery’s capacity is sufficient.
Streamlined Reporting:
The system prepares monthly compliance reports and stores them for convenient downloading. Exception reporting ensures that the electrical team is notified only when a light requires attention.
Risk Mitigation:
Unlike traditional methods, EmeRed tests lights individually, ensuring that no adjacent lights are tested within 36 hours of each other, thus never leaving an area at risk.
Simplified Commissioning Process
The commissioning process for EmeRed is straightforward. An electrician follows a simple three-step app-based process, creating an accurate asset schedule and confirming the electrical works are correct. This includes capturing essential details such as lamp type, battery type and capacity, and inverter type.
Enhancing Safety and Efficiency
Traditional emergency light testing methods often involve isolating the permanent live supply to a complete lighting circuit, which can leave an area without emergency lighting for 24-36 hours. EmeRed’s individual light testing approach ensures continuous coverage and eliminates the need for additional risk mitigation measures such as supplying torches or manning corridors.
Would you like to find out more?
For more information about EmeRed and our other products complete the form on this page and we will be in contact, alternatively please get in contact us by calling 01242 582 555.