Smart sensor technology could save an estimated £18.5 million across Scotland’s sheltered housing schemes, a new study has shown.

Internet-enabled devices monitoring property conditions like temperature, humidity and motion could slash heating and maintenance costs in developments across the country, an evaluation report found.

Ten individual retirement home properties at the Langvout Court scheme in Biggar, run by Bield Housing, took part in a six-month project, involving the installation of a range of unobtrusive sensors at the complex.

The South Lanarkshire pilot is being hailed as a ‘resounding success’, with significant benefits for both tenants and the housing providers as well as a positive return on investment.

Data shows the project delivered an annual £7,670 saving in heating costs and an annual £2,825 saving in maintenance costs. An £18.5 million annual saving is estimated when factored out across all of Scotland’s sheltered housing developments, according to the analysis by Edinburgh digital consultancy, Farrpoint.

Gavin Wright, head of property management at Bield, said: “This project exemplifies how thoughtful innovation can support older people to live independently, safely and with dignity. We’re proud to have played a key role in a partnership that’s delivering real, positive change. The smart technology we trialled at Langvout Court has brought clear cost savings and improved safety. As a result, we’re now exploring how this approach can be rolled out across our wider estate.”

Data was collected from the sensors fitted in the individual dwellings and communal spaces, before being relayed to a cloud-based system delivered by digital health innovator Archangel, based in Glasgow. The firm’s ambient assisted living (AAL) secure technology platform provided automatic, real-time monitoring 24/7 to proactively address any potential issues that might arise in relation to the living conditions of tenants.

The project, supported by the Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (DHI), has been outlined in a new report called ‘Evaluating care delivery in rural settings’, and it was funded by the UK Government’s Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), as part of the Glasgow City Region (GCR) 5G Smart and Connected Places Programme.

The final report, produced by FarrPoint, demonstrates the considerable impact that the use of smart sensors can have in the housing sector:

  • 1 Reduced utility costs
  • 2 Reduced maintenance costs
  • 3 Reduced manual checks
  • 4 Improved resident safety
  • 5 Improved regulatory compliance

The use of smart technology can also be used to monitor other environmental conditions to detect risks such as legionella.

Janette Hughes, director of planning & performance at DHI (and Chair of the UKTIN Health Working Group), who alerted Archangel to the funding opportunity, said: “This is ultimately about making housing more connected and safer, which allows for more responsive communities creating the conditions for people to live happier, longer and more secure lives in their own properties.”

Tom Morton, CEO of Archangel, said: “The independent FarrPoint evaluation confirms real, measurable outcomes that address today’s operational, financial and regulatory pressures as well as a return on investment within the first year. By aggregating data across housing and care environments, the Archangel platform delivers safer homes, reduces energy and maintenance costs, improves compliance and frees up staff time.

“This isn’t about experimenting with innovation. It’s about helping leaders turn information into action, confidently and cost-effectively. Our partners are empowered to deploy secure, proven, scalable solutions with real-time insights available 24/7 that drive strategic impact, operational efficiency and better outcomes for people and communities.”

To view the full report please register here: https://www.archangel.cloud/farrpoint-report-register