A project to tackle damp and mould in West Dunbartonshire Council properties has been shortlisted for a prestigious award.
The nomination in the Excellence in Health and Wellbeing category at the Chartered Institute of Housing (Scotland) Scottish Housing Awards comes as West Dunbartonshire Council marks the 1000th installation of environmental sensors in its properties.
The rollout began at the start of the year with West Dunbartonshire Council’s Housing service recently meeting the milestone figure.
The technology works by tracking data on air quality, humidity and other environmental factors, with the council able to use the insight to plan any required works. They identify problems with condensation, allowing the council to advise tenants at an early stage on how to manage this and avoid the potential for mould to develop.
It means work can be undertaken at the earliest possible stage, and allows the council to proactively plan for energy efficiency improvements while tackling issues including damp, mould and fuel poverty across the area.
Sensors can be retro-fitted to homes with minimal disruption to tenants, and operate from a sim card so do not rely upon tenants’ internet connection.
And the sensors allow tenants to track the data about their own home through an app, with additional support and guidance from the council.
The council say the devices have already been showing their value as, due to the information provided from one tenant’s environmental sensor, a costly repair was avoided.
Convener of Housing and Communities, Councillor Gurpreet Singh Johal, said: “This is a landmark moment for the council. Having fitted 1,000 environmental sensors within our homes and to be nominated for a Scottish Housing Award at the same time for this innovative project is fantastic news.
“These devices are a vital part of ensuring our housing stock remains at a high standard for tenants and avoids costly repairs further down the line.
“It also empowers tenants to take responsibility for air quality in their homes, giving them real-time information to act upon and we are reinforcing this messaging through regular correspondence with our tenants, stressing the difference the likes of opening windows can make to the air quality in homes.”
Anyone who has a sensor fitted and wants to find out more about the information gathered, including the app, can contact our team on [email protected] or speak to their Housing Officer.