Smart Homes – air quality sensors

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At Westminster City Council we are always looking for ways to use new technology to improve the service we offer residents. This includes piloting different types of sensors that can benefit residents in their home and on their estates.

We are trialling a variety of different sensors that can help monitor air quality in tenants’ homes, detect legionella in communal water tanks or ensure communal fire doors are closed and not ‘propped’ open. This will help the way we deliver services, by being more proactive and making informed decisions on the best outcomes for residents.

Air quality sensors – how sensors can help you

We will be contacting tenants who have reported damp and mould issues within their home to ask if they would like air quality sensors installed in certain rooms in their property. The sensors capture essential information about the air quality in your home by monitoring aspects such as temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide levels. We will be able to help identify the humidity levels that can cause any damp and mould issues you may have inside your home, which in turn helps us address the cause of the damp and mould in your home.

This data is then shared via Morgan Sindall’s (our partner repairs contractor) advanced goldeni technology to ensure that each property meets the Fitness for Human Habitation requirements.

The benefits

By monitoring temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide levels the sensors can:

• Confirm there is enough ventilation throughout the property
• Detect if there is a high build-up of carbon dioxide levels which can be hazardous to your health
• Identify if the air quality needs to be improved. It could be as simple as increasing the flow of fresh air in your home or indicate that a repair may be necessary

Common questions

Do I need to be home while this is being done?

Yes, we will need you to be present to allow our engineers into your home. The whole process will take less than 30 minutes and we will contact you with the dates that we will be in your area.

How much electricity do the sensors use?

None, the sensors are battery operated and so will not be using any electricity from your home and are free to run. Each unit is only around 7.5cm x 7.5cm in size.

How will the sensors help me?

We will be able to help identify the humidity levels that can cause any damp and mould issues you may have inside your home. This will help us address the cause of the damp and mould, or provide information and healthy tips to address issues in your home.

Do the sensors detect only temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide?

Yes that is correct. There is no other type of monitoring equipment inside the sensors.

Is there any type of video, sound or motion recording inside the sensor?

Absolutely not. We are keen to reassure residents that there is no form of sound, vision or motion recording inside the sensors. They are only monitoring temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide.

Why are you only trialling the sensors on some estates?

A small trial of this technology allows the Council to determine if it is suitable and fit for purpose. We can monitor how successful the sensors are in diagnosing and treating tenants’ homes for issues like damp and mould. As we start to understand the benefits to us and tenants, we can start expanding it to other estates around Westminster. We will contact tenants directly if you form part of the trial estates.

Do you need my permission to install it first

If you are already living in the property, we will only install it with your explicit permission. In some properties that are void, we may install the sensors and advise the incoming tenant of these sensors. All tenants can contact us for more information on the use of the sensors, and we will be happy to remove them if you no longer want them inside your home.

How can I book an appointment?

You can book an appointment by calling the Morgan Sindall team on 0203 489 0109 and pressing option 2.

Please note that all of the above equipment is unable to record any kind of audio, video, or imagery. Using these sensors, one can receive information regarding the internal temperature of the property, the moisture content of the air inside the property, and the level of carbon dioxide in the air. This information will be accessible by Morgan Sindall Property Services Ltd and this may include address, contact details, and environmental data which is processed on the basis of legitimate interests of improving the environment of your property and allowing Morgan Sindall Property Services Ltd to more efficiently service your residence on behalf of the City of Westminster. If you would like more information, please contact [email protected].