In less than a month, Awaab’s Law comes into force. For social housing providers across the UK, this marks the start of a new legal duty to act...
The Clock is Ticking: Meeting Awaab’s Law Compliance in Time
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Real-Time Data: The Backbone of Modern Social Housing Operations
In an era where data drives decision-making, social housing providers can no longer afford to lag behind. The key to unlocking operational efficiencies, cost savings, and most importantly, ensuring resident safety lies in embracing intelligently designed remote technology solutions. At Vericon Systems, we believe that connected solutions can transform the way social housing is managed, enhancing the lives of thousands of residents across the country.
Heating System Failures: A Reactive and Costly Approach
For years, the maintenance of heating systems has followed a reactive pattern – wait for a breakdown, then scramble to repair or replace. This approach is not only costly but leads to resident dissatisfaction and even safety risks. By harnessing real-time data from Vericon’s BCM, which tracks boiler performance metrics such as flow temperature, return temperature, and system pressure, social housing providers can proactively schedule maintenance, reducing unexpected failures and keeping residents warm and safe.
BCM’s real-time monitoring capabilities send intelligent performance data to the cloud, where it can be interrogated and analysed to predict and identify common failures such as low pressure, loss of gas, and even a frozen condensate pipe. Its GSM connectivity provides a secure data stream to and from the device, reporting in real time to the cloud, removing any dependence on an occupant’s Wi-Fi network. Plus, each BCM has a complete and detailed record of its history and audit trail, allowing for the review of all actions, alerts, and notifications that have occurred throughout its entire lifetime. And with universal compatibility, BCM is designed to monitor housing stock in real time and is capable of operating with all major boiler brands, as well as being future compatible with air source heat pumps and hydrogen boilers.
The Hidden Inefficiency: Under-Pressure Boiler Callouts
Boiler breakdowns due to low pressure are a common and frustrating emergency. These avoidable callouts place a burden on maintenance resources and leave residents without heating or hot water. Vericon’s AutoFill solution autonomously monitors boiler pressure in real-time, detecting when a system is losing pressure and autonomously repressurising the system to prevent breakdowns. When the boiler pressure falls below a specific limit, the AutoFill system initiates the filling procedure. During this process, AutoFill operates for three seconds to fill and subsequently checks the pressure. This cycle continues until either the desired 1.5 bar is attained or a failure is identified within the system.
AutoFill provides real-time notifications, with every top-up recorded on the portal with a timestamp. Should another top-up be necessary within a 90-day period, an engineer will be alerted to address the issue. In the event that a third top-up is needed, the system will be identified as needing an engineer visit and preventing any further top-ups. AutoFill is seamlessly integrated within the existing fill loop of the boiler, ensuring complete compatibility with any boiler system.
Environmental Risks: The Hidden Dangers in Every Home
Mould growth and damp conditions pose serious health risks to residents, from respiratory issues to long-term conditions. Traditional methods of detection rely on visual inspections, often missing early signs of moisture issues. Vericon’s MultiDOT sensors track temperature and humidity in real-time, enabling the swift identification of potential mould and damp risks, allowing for prompt remediation and ensuring a safe living environment. MultiDOT serves as a diagnostic tool that can be reused for properties experiencing damp and mould issues. After installing the device and resolving the issue, it can be installed in the next property. Landlords and property managers can use MultiDOT to monitor temperature and humidity levels in specific areas where it is installed, ensuring tenant safety by identifying potential mould and dampness problems early. MultiDOT provides instant, real-time information, its technology enabling seamless analysis of critical data points, enhancing the decision-making processes.
“Although the Vericon system has only been live for a matter of months, we are already seeing positive results,” says Chris Roberts, Sustainability Manager at Plus Dane Housing.
“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.”
Fuel Poverty and Vulnerable Resident Monitoring: Data-Driven Approaches to Pressing Issues
Fuel poverty and being able to monitor vulnerable residents is a growing concern within the social housing sector. These individuals may face various physical, mental, or financial challenges that could impact their safety and well-being. Vericon will monitor properties of residents tagged by the housing provider as vulnerable for signs of activity.
Vericon can monitor energy usage in real-time, identify properties with low room temperatures, frequent energy outages, or unusual energy usage patterns, highlighting where support is needed. By targeting assistance to those most in need, social housing providers can make a real difference in tackling fuel poverty and helping vulnerable residents.
Void Management: Eliminating Inefficiencies and Damage
Vacant properties pose unique challenges, from being able to prevent damage to avoiding unnecessary energy waste. Vericon’s BCM enables the remote management of heating in void properties, ensuring pipes don’t freeze and avoiding costly repairs. It’s a simple yet effective way to increase operational efficiency and reduce costs.
Compliance and Reporting: No Longer a Burden
Ensuring statutory compliance for emergency lighting is a critical yet often time-consuming task. Vericon’s Emered solution automates the testing and reporting of emergency lighting, providing full audit trails and ensuring all systems are safe and compliant. Emered can be installed and commissioned on to any luminaire in under 10 minutes and will carry out tests over the next 10 years and beyond. Importantly, Emered performs both monthly and annual tests, including the mandatory 3-hour test, and the flick test, for complete compliance. Using Vericon’s Portal, test schedules can be set per device allowing for staggered testing in a single building, ensuring compliance with BS5266. The EmeRed will automatically send all test results to Vericon Connect. The Connect system will then notify specified users to any failed lamps or those requiring preventative maintenance.
Real-World Results
Don’t just take our word for it. Our solutions are already delivering real results for social housing providers.
“Working with the Vericon team and their eco-system has been a refreshing experience,” said Paul Hutchins, Innovations Contract Manager at LiveWest.
“The Vericon trial has given LiveWest an opportunity to fully understand an option as a future service strategy and how the innovative concepts could flow into existing structures and workflows.”
Rob McFerran of Selwood Housing commends Vericon’s Surveyor Cube, stating, “The implementation of The Surveyor Cube has proved to be a valuable tool for Selwood Housing and our customers, improving resident comfort and aiding in our joint effort to eradicate damp and mould from our housing stock.”
The Surveyor Cube consists of a plug & play BCM, several MultiDOT devices, adhesive pads and full portal access with the capability to instantly view and report on a properties environmental conditions. The Surveyor Cube can be installed in minutes, with no specialist tools or knowledge. The Plug and Play BCM has a three pin plug fitted to allow for simple power-up and re-deployment. All information collected by the devices is sent via the plug and play BCM to Connect to be interrogated and analysed by our machine learning algorithms. The data can then be reviewed and downloaded for a full audit trail.
Vericon Systems: Your Partner in Connected Property Management
At Vericon Systems, we’re dedicated to improving the lives of social housing residents through innovative connected solutions. By partnering with us, housing providers can benefit from streamlined operations, significant cost savings, and improved resident satisfaction. Our mission is to enhance property management and resident living, one connected home at a time. We believe that intelligently designed remote technology solutions that provide insightful data and enable remote interventions are the key to unlocking a more efficient, effective, and resident-focused future for social housing.
The question is, are you ready to unlock the power of real-time data and start transforming your operations with intelligently designed remote technology solutions?
Would you like to find out more?
For more information about how Vericon 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.
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 Real Challenge Social Landlords Face with Damp and Mould Issues
Managing damp and mould is an ongoing challenge for landlords. This problem is often exacerbated by the reliance on unstructured and fragmented data from multiple systems. The lack of integration makes it difficult for landlords to obtain a comprehensive view of the problem, hindering their ability to understand the data and prioritise repairs effectively.
The Data Dilemma
Social landlords typically collect environmental data from various sources to monitor the condition of their properties. However, these data sources are often isolated in different systems, providing only a partial view of the issue at hand. This fragmentation leads to inefficiencies in identifying and addressing damp and mould problems, as it is challenging to pinpoint the most critical areas requiring attention.
Vericon offers a solution to this problem. By integrating environmental data from multiple devices across an entire property portfolio into a single online portal, Vericon provides a unified view of the property conditions.
This comprehensive approach allows social landlords to monitor their properties in real-time, analyse, and act upon environmental data efficiently.
Vericon’s online portal leverages powerful data analytics to help housing providers make sense of the vast amount of information collected by their sensors. The platform identifies patterns, pinpoints problem areas, and generates easy to understand actionable reports. This data-driven approach ensures that housing providers can address issues promptly and effectively.
Powerful Data Analytics
Integrating all damp, mould, and environmental data into a single online portal offers social housing providers a multitude of benefits that streamline property management and enhance the living conditions for residents.
Comprehensive Data Integration
Having all environmental data, including damp and mould information, in one online portal provides a unified view of the property portfolio’s conditions. This integration breaks down data silos and allows for a holistic understanding of various environmental issues across different properties. Additionally, incorporating boiler telemetry into this centralised system can help identify issues such as fuel poverty, which has a direct link to the risk of damp and mould. By monitoring boiler performance and usage patterns, housing providers can detect signs of fuel poverty early and take proactive measures to mitigate its impact, thereby reducing the likelihood of damp and mould development.
Efficient Monitoring and Reporting
Vericon’s online portal leverages powerful data analytics to help housing providers make sense of the vast amount of information collected by their sensors. The platform identifies patterns, pinpoints problem areas that require immediate attention, and generates actionable reports. For instance, it can detect if ventilation fans are being turned off, working ineffectively, or even if they need cleaning. This level of detailed monitoring ensures that housing providers can address issues promptly and effectively, preventing small problems from escalating into larger, more costly repairs.
Streamlined Decision-Making
With all relevant data accessible in one place, decision-makers can more effectively prioritise repairs and maintenance. This ensures that resources are allocated to the most critical areas, improving the overall efficiency and effectiveness of property management.
Enhanced Predictive Maintenance
Centralised data enables advanced analytics and predictive maintenance strategies. Using Community Learning and AI, Vericon can identify patterns and trends in environmental conditions meaning housing providers can take proactive measures to prevent issues before they escalate, reducing long-term repair costs. For example, Vericon can highlight ineffective fans or fans that have been turned off. Addressing these issues promptly can cost around £100, whereas waiting for the problem to escalate can result in repair costs running into thousands of pounds. This proactive approach ensures that minor issues are resolved before they become major, costly problems.
Centralised Historical Data
Maintaining a historical record of environmental data in one portal allows for trend analysis over time. This historical perspective is invaluable for identifying recurring issues, assessing the effectiveness of past interventions, and planning future maintenance strategies.
Regulatory Compliance
Having a comprehensive and easily accessible record of environmental data supports compliance with regulatory requirements. Housing providers can demonstrate a proactive approach to maintaining property standards, reducing the risk of penalties associated with poor living conditions.
Enhanced Resource Allocation
With comprehensive data in one portal, housing providers can allocate their repair and maintenance resources more effectively. By focusing on the most severe and problematic areas, they can maximise the impact of their efforts and ensure that resources are used where they are needed most.
Improved Accountability
A centralised portal provides a clear audit trail of actions taken to address environmental issues. This accountability ensures that all stakeholders are aware of the steps being taken to improve property conditions and can track progress over time.
Full embedded processes
When a surveyor or operative visits a property with reported damp and mould issues , by scanning the QR code on the device an audit log is created showing the person along with the date and time of their visit. They also have the ability to attach photographs to the room, again date and time stamped to show the actual condition pre and post any work activities.
Scalability
As the property portfolio grows, the centralised portal can easily scale to accommodate additional data and new properties. This ensures that housing providers can continue to manage environmental conditions effectively, regardless of the size of their portfolio.
Having all damp, mould, environmental, and heating telemetry in one online portal empowers social housing providers with a comprehensive, efficient, and proactive approach to property management. This leads to improved health and safety for residents, optimised resource allocation, regulatory compliance, cost savings, and ultimately, higher resident satisfaction.
Would you like to find out more?
Contact Vericon today to learn more about our damp & mould monitoring products and how they can benefit your portfolio.
Complete the form on this page and we will be in contact, alternatively please get in contact us by calling 01242 582 555.
Enhancing Energy Efficiency and Comfort in Social Housing through Partnership
A groundbreaking partnership between City Plumbing, Vericon Systems, and ADEY has revolutionised smart home technology in social housing. Their collaborative project provides a blueprint for socially responsible housing providers looking to embrace technological advancement.
Project Overview
SHAL Housing, based in Bridgwater, Somerset, manages approximately 4,000 homes. The organisation recently launched an innovative SMART home scheme in five properties. Through this initiative, they’ve integrated ADEY Sense® products with Vericon IoT sensors and agnostic boiler monitoring to enhance heating system management.
Watch the full video series here – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLeyRxXmonb-pStxvYlVPsJMyS8DNlRJo3
Comprehensive Technology Suite
The project’s success relied heavily on Vericon’s integrated product ecosystem. At its core, the Building Control Module (BCM) serves as an intelligent gateway, collecting and transmitting vital system data. This robust device connects seamlessly with heating systems, offering real-time performance monitoring and fault detection.
Working alongside the BCM, the MultiDOT sensors provide precise temperature and humidity readings throughout each property. These compact, wireless devices create a comprehensive picture of the living environment, helping prevent issues like damp and mould before they develop.
The Vericon Portal ties the entire system together, offering housing providers a user-friendly dashboard for property management. Through this centralised platform, maintenance teams can:
- Monitor multiple properties simultaneously
- Access detailed performance analytics
- Generate customised reports
- Set up automated alerts
- Track maintenance schedules
Completing the suite, AutoFill technology ensures optimal system pressure maintenance. This innovative solution automatically tops up boiler pressure when needed, reducing unnecessary callouts and extending system life. The AutoFill system also alerts providers to potential leaks by monitoring top-up frequency, adding another layer of preventive maintenance.
Cutting-Edge Technology Integration
The partnership has achieved remarkable results, with improvements in 83% of assessed properties. At the heart of this success lies Vericon’s telematics hardware working alongside ADEY’s smart solutions. These include app-based water testing and remote monitoring through MagnaClean magnetic filters.
Real-Time Monitoring and Prevention
Housing providers can now spot issues before tenants even notice them. The system actively tracks system performance and sends instant alerts when problems arise. Through precise data collection, maintenance teams can address concerns proactively rather than reactively.
Enhanced Resident Experience
Modern life keeps tenants busy, making it challenging to notice gradual changes in heating efficiency. Thanks to Vericon Systems’ technology, they no longer need to worry. The system provides:
- Detailed evaluations of system health
- Real-time performance data
- Room-by-room temperature monitoring
- Early detection of dampness or mould risks
Advanced System Protection
ADEY Sense® connected filters bring additional benefits:
- Early detection of magnetite and sludge buildup
- Prevention of radiator blockages
- Protection against boiler damage
- Maintenance of optimal system efficiency
Cost-Effective Management
Smart monitoring leads to significant cost savings through:
- Reduced emergency callouts
- Extended boiler lifespan
- Lower gas consumption
- Preventive maintenance scheduling
Industry Impact and Future Outlook
The success at SHAL Housing demonstrates the potential for smart technology in social housing.
As Angela Gascoigne, CEO at SHAL Housing, emphasises: “Technology plays a crucial role in fulfilling our commitment to Somerset homes.”
Leading by Example
Other social housing providers should take note of this successful implementation. The project proves that investing in smart technology delivers both immediate and long-term benefits. It ensures tenant satisfaction while optimising operational costs.
Future Recommendations
Housing providers considering similar initiatives should:
- Evaluate their current maintenance processes
- Consider pilot programmes in selected properties
- Partner with experienced technology providers
- Focus on solutions that offer clear ROI
Take Action Today
Don’t wait for property issues to escalate. Transform your housing management with our innovative smart technology solutions. Contact our team on 01242 582 555 or visit www.vericonsystems.com/contact-us to book your free consultation. Together, we can create healthier, more efficient homes for your residents.
Webinar: How to Use Analytics to Drive Proactive Maintenance
We’re excited to invite you to our first webinar that promises to transform your approach to property maintenance.
Date: 26th March 2024 at 2pm
Title: How to Use Analytics to Drive Proactive Maintenance
Host: Andrew Gray | Member Relationship Manager at Fusion21
Expert Speakers:
Linda Cavender | Business Analyst at Clarion
Ian Roughley | Associate Director at Savills
Tony Cubitt | National Sales Director at Vericon Systems
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from industry experts and learn how to apply cutting-edge analytics and IoT technology to your maintenance processes.
This webinar is designed to equip you with the knowledge to anticipate issues before they become problems, ensuring a higher standard of property care and tenant satisfaction.
Would you like to find out more?
Complete the form on this page and we will be in contact, alternatively please get in contact us by calling 01242 582 555.