The prospect of “the home of tomorrow” is exciting and fascinating
While it is a well-done trope in the science fiction genre, it’s now becoming more of a reality, especially in terms of energy efficiency. Smart thermostats are just one of the many examples we can cite on what the next generation of homes will look like.
By 2027, an estimated 15.1 million UK homes will be powered by the Internet of Things (IoT). Exciting, but how will this IoT-powered home shape the future of social housing?
Housing associations are looking at ways to incorporate smarter technology and improve tenant satisfaction. By improving living standards and reducing the time needed for repairs, it’s a smart decision for these organisations to invest in smart technology. Without that investment in IoT and a strong network infrastructure, housing associations will struggle to future-proof their properties.
Smart home automation
The most common use of IoT in today’s smart home is through automation. Whether it’s lighting levels or average temperature, there are ways of making these processes autonomous. It can be as simple as asking nicely for Alexa to please dim the porch lights.
It’s an important step in improving tenant satisfaction and standards of living. Not only does this make control more convenient for tenants but also create a comfortable living environment. If housing associations want to improve these standards, then automation is a good place to start.
Centralised control can be the focus point of a smart home’s automated network. Managing each separate function can be made simpler if tenants only operate from one central hub or voice assistant. That can develop into more automated decision making, where devices use real-time insights to make decisions and improve response times.
Through an IoT-enabled network, occupants can manage their security, lighting and temperature policies based on their location. One may even be able to have their vacuum cleaner start working once they step out the door!
Scheduling operational hours or time-specific settings is also beneficial for convenience and energy efficiency. Considering everyone wants to create a more comfortable environment in their own homes, scheduled automation is one way to achieve that. It’s certainly more comforting when homes that use smart thermostats save an average of 10-15% on their heating costs.
An efficient and sustainable home
For 70% of homeowners, energy efficiency is the key reason why they would utilise smart technology in their home. Housing associations share that same desire for an energy efficient home, as highlighted by the increased Standard Assessment Procedure (ASP) rating for social housing from 66 in 2012 to 71 in 2023.
The power to adjust the temperature seamlessly or manage lighting levels is a strong draw on its own. For housing associations, their sustainability goals are a driver behind those efficient homes. While nearly 1.4 million homes have an EPC grade of C or above, there’s more these organisations can do.
Smart thermostats use sensors to constantly monitor and regulate temperatures. Gathering valuable data allows housing associations to better understand energy usage and their carbon footprint. Sovereign Housing Association, for example, installed 400 smart thermostats in their homes to begin reducing their carbon footprint.
Energy efficiency can be taken even further with smart meters and its potential integration with solar panels. Live tracking of energy production and consumption can optimise how solar panels are being used. That deeper understanding of when it’s best to use solar energy, as well as store it or feed it back into the wider energy grid, can further improve how housing associations manage energy efficiency.
We’ve briefly touched on intelligent lighting systems and their role in a sustainable home. Adjusting the brightness and colour of a home’s lighting can be made more autonomous and smarter when using real-time data on natural light levels and occupancy. When smart lighting is introduced, those same homes can save up to 27% on their energy usage.
Then there’s the humble smart plug, which probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. These IoT-enabled devices can monitor and reduce phantom power consumption from idle devices, further improving energy usage and saving more on overall expenditure for housing associations.
It’s amazing what IoT can do, especially when running on a robust and secure network.
Security and surveillance
Turns out 56% of UK households don’t have a burglar alarm installed, which makes the home intruders reading this rub their hands with delight. While housing associations can be more proactive in deterring invaders, such as through outdoor security lighting, there’s obviously more that they can do.
A third of social housing tenants don’t feel protected from the risk of a break-in. It’s clear there’s a gap that housing associations must address when it comes to building security. The number of burglaries is likely to never be zero, but providers can do more to improve that level of security.
Smart doorbells, like the ones supplied by Ring, provide real-time video feeds to better monitor the property exterior. Two-way audio and motion detection add that extra layer of security and deterrence so vital for protecting the home. 1 in 5 UK households currently have one installed, and much like smart locks, will continue to be adopted due to their convenience.
For monitoring the property, we can mention AI-powered security cameras (took us a while to bring up AI!). These devices identify faces, detect unusual activity, and send alerts back to occupants. For housing associations, proactivity and deterrence are always strong benefits to have in terms of home security.
Automated alerts and responses can also come from smart alarms and sensors. Much like those doorbells and cameras, unusual sounds or motion can be detected, while breaches to doors and windows can set off these home security systems.
OK, someone climbing in through the window is a giveaway of a burglary attempt, but always best to be prepared.
IoT-powered maintenance and warnings
Predictive maintenance can make a huge difference when it comes to appliance longevity. Compared to reactive maintenance, predictive techniques can save organisations up to 40% on repair costs.
Cost-efficiency is a priority in the sector, with reports suggesting that finances are “stretched but resilient”. Minimising the cost of repairs and keeping properties in optimal condition will deliver long-term financial benefits for housing associations.
Through smart sensors and AI diagnostics, appliance failures can be better predicted and acted upon. Maintenance can be suggested, and technicians can be called out before a full breakdown occurs. That proactivity helps appliances stay operational in the long-term, avoiding repetitive and costly repairs or replacements.
The time and money saved for housing associations is extremely valuable.
These appliances can be more than just for convenience; they can be lifesaving. Properly maintained smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can be a critical factor in keeping occupants safe. When their powered by IoT, alerts and warnings are extremely valuable when something amiss is detected, but insights into their longevity can be more than valuable.
Considering housing associations have a duty of care for their tenants, it’s always wise to use as many solutions as possible to keep them safe.
Sensors that monitor leaks and water quality can also be part of the future smart home. Contaminants are detected, and monitors can suggest filter changes for healthier drinking water. Sensors in pipes and basements can provide pre-emptive flood warnings before any kind of major damage occurs.
All these proactive, IoT-powered measures, of course, rely on one key component – that reliable network.
Welcome to the home of tomorrow!
Honestly, when it comes to an IoT-enabled smart home, we can go on and on and on. We didn’t even touch on robotic lawn mowers, automated irrigation systems or even smart beds! It just shows how incredible the potential behind the “home of tomorrow” can be for housing associations and their tenants.
A smarter home can provide a more comfortable standard of living, and housing associations can be the driver behind IoT adoption. These homes can be future-proofed and valued more highly due to their energy efficiency and security. An IoT-enabled system across the home can make such a huge difference to how people live their lives.
If those same devices are powered by IoT SIM cards, those same devices can stay connected and always working to make the “home of tomorrow” a reality.
Through an MSP like Gamma, housing associations are provided with a strong, high-performing network that can support these IoT devices. Housing associations that start using IoT today will improve tenant satisfaction, run more efficiently, and create more sustainable homes.
For the “home of tomorrow”, housing associations need to act today.