Greenwich Healthy Homes
Introduction
The Royal Borough of Greenwich has partnered with DG Cities to test a new approach to identify damp and the conditions for mould in homes early, enabling the council to take preventive action. As part of this project we are testing the use of environmental sensors to gain greater insights into conditions in homes that can lead to damp and mould, and will test proactive maintenance methods to prevent their occurrence.
This project forms part of the council’s strategy to combat damp and mould growth in homes across the borough, and is an example of one of the new approaches RBG is trialling. At present, the council invests lots of resources conducting repairs - the purpose of this trial is to see if this new technology can help the council fix problems before they arise, to deliver better results for residents.
Key Information
Residents that take part in the project will have four devices, each about the size of a drinks coaster, mounted on walls in their living room, bathroom, kitchen and hallway to monitor temperature, humidity and Co2. These devices will feed information back to the council, who will be able to assess the likelihood of mould forming in your home. If the device detects conditions that might lead to mould formation, a Property Services Officer (PSO) will visit the property to undertake a thorough evaluation.
The installation of these devices is being funded by the council. Residents will not incur any costs. They will be installed by a qualified electrician from Royal Greenwich and will start to work immediately.
Who are DG Cities?
DG Cities is an innovation consultancy, closely linked to the Royal Borough of Greenwich. We work with organisations and communities to address environmental, social, economic and healthcare challenges, harnessing the potential of technology and data to improve the places we live and work. DG Cities is working with RBG to deliver this project and carry out an evaluation.
What do I need to do?
You have been approached to take part in this trial because your home has been identified as having had problems with mould in the past. Because of this, we have identified your home as one that could benefit from this measure, to both better understand why mould occurred and be in a position to act before it reappears. If you cannot take part in this project for any reason, please let us know. Otherwise, please complete the consent form below.
Once you have completed the consent form, DG Cities and Royal Greenwich will be notified and we will contact you to arrange an installation date that suits you.
For more information, contact [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the device work?
The devices work by monitoring temperature, humidity and CO2 in your home. When the devices are spread out across different rooms, they are able to build up a picture of conditions across the whole home.
Who will be installing the devices?
The devices will be installed by qualified and trained electricians from the council. These electricians have been trained by AICO (the device manufacturer) to install these devices and ensure they are working correctly. Someone from AICO may join them on the installation to provide guidance where necessary.
How are they installed?
Devices are installed by fitting them to walls in your properties. Some of the devices are powered by 10-year lithium batteries and others are connected to mains power directly. All installations are conducted by qualified electricians from Royal Greenwich and will meet compliance requirements.
How much do they cost?
The devices are being provided to residents completely free of charge. The devices are battery powered that last for up to 10 years. One device is plugged in but has a minimal power consumption, costing roughly 37p per month.
Do I need wifi?
No. The devices are connected to a gateway wirelessly - the gateway is fitted with a sim card which delivers information to the dashboard.
What is expected of me?
You are not expected to do anything once the devices are installed. They will be installed by a qualified electrician from RBG and will begin to work once they are installed.
Who will have access to the data about my home?
This project is a way for the council to trial these devices and evaluate how effective they are in helping the council manage mould in homes. Because of this, the trial will be evaluated by DG Cities, the council’s innovation company. Data about conditions in your home will be accessible by Royal Borough of Greenwich, DG Cities and AICO.