By the end of 2021, we will have installed Switchee smart thermostats in nearly 10%* of our our 5,000+ homes.
The full rollout will make Broadland the first housing provider to have a fully connected housing stock.
The rollout follows a successful Switchee pilot which started in 2018. The main focus was to alleviate fuel poverty for Broadland tenants.
What is Switchee?
Switchee is a simple and intuitive control for the heating system, allowing tenants to save up to 17% on their energy bill. It also offers remote control of the heating system via an app**.
Data is then sent from the Switchee device via the mobile phone network up to the cloud. This information is processed, and the insights are shared directly with Broadland’s maintenance and support teams in real time.
Louise Archer, Executive Asset Director, said
Switchee has proven great outcomes on an operational level during the pilot. We now aim to bring its benefits to all Broadland tenants and staff by expanding the rollout and integrating its data and features with our internal business system.
Reducing fuel poverty
The Broadland trial showed a 92% response rate to messages sent through the smart home tech. Responses to a Switchee survey in November 2020 flagged up an older male tenant, living on his own with physical and mental health disabilities, who was at high risk of fuel poverty.
Kevin Gee, Tenancy Support Manager, explained:
As well as helping the tenant access the support he needed, our Tenancy Support team were able to use the data from Switchee to stay in regular contact with him. We encouraged him to review how he heats his home, and change the times when the heating was on. Using the Switchee data, our Repairs team were also able to identify and repair a faulty radiator valve in the property.
Maintenance and communications benefits
Trial data enabled Broadland to identify a number of potential mould disrepair cases and send damp prevention advice to 17% of homes with a Switchee. The technology has also helped us strengthen communication with our tenants. For example, our communications team used a Switchee survey to encourage tenants to sign up for Tenants Online and Door to Door magazine. Following the survey, 51% of tenants who had not signed up to receive the magazine did so.
We are now looking into integrating Switchee’s data with our own Broadland Business Systems (BBS), to bring benefits and savings to tenants and landlord going forward.
Justin O’Connor, Head of Asset Management, said:
Switchee helps our Asset team to take a more proactive approach to tackling issues like damp and mould. It also acts a great tool for engaging our tenants and driving efficiency through its boiler testing and appointment scheduling features. And of course, Switchee helps us to reduce our carbon footprint by lowering energy bills, in line with our corporate strategy.
Tom Robins, Switchee’s CEO, said
Broadland has been a great partner and they share our vision that connecting homes with IoT technology can unlock significant value for landlords and residents alike. We are delighted to support Broadland in their ambition to be the first UK housing provider with a fully connected stock and excited to see the positive impact for residents.
*9% based on 450 devices across 5,000 homes
** app not available during trial