3 December 2024: Over 1000 homes in Chelmsford, Essex will benefit from being warmer and healthier this winter with the installation of the Switchee smart thermostat.
Designed to assist housing providers to proactively manage and improve the quality of homes for residents, the installation of touch-screen Switchee technology is enabling CHP residents to lower their heating bills. CHP is also able to spot hazards such as damp and mould that can impact the home environment and residents’ health.
With this significant number of installations, 10% of CHP’s homes will now be supported by this smart technology. CHP started installing the smart devices, which measure the performance of a home and highlight potentially unknown risks that need to be addressed, in CHP homes in January 2023.
Thomas Kearney, Homes and Places Director for CHP, says: “We are proud to mark the milestone of 1,000 Switchee smart thermostats installed across our homes, a significant step forward in improving the quality of life for our residents. This milestone highlights our commitment to addressing issues such as damp, mould, and condensation while reducing our customers energy bills and supporting our drive towards carbon Net Zero.”
Switchee offers residents greater control over their heating and hot water systems via an intuitive touchscreen display or mobile app. Customers can reduce energy waste and save on their heating bills by using programmable schedules or pre-defined heating profiles. An independent report by National Energy Action (NEA) found that homes with Switchee devices installed saw an average 17% reduction in heating costs, translating into meaningful financial savings and significant reductions in CO2 emissions.
In addition to improving energy efficiency, Switchee devices are equipped with advanced sensors that monitor and flag potential risks such as mould growth, damp conditions, and fuel poverty. The data collected is securely transmitted via the device’s built-in technology and presented on a dashboard, enabling housing teams to identify and address issues proactively.
Thomas adds: “We’re excited to see the positive impact Switchee is having on our customers’ lives. Not only do these devices help save money and energy, but they also allow us to offer targeted support and improve the long-term health and sustainability of our homes.
“The Switchee system has also enabled two-way communication between us and our residents. Through the device, we can send appointment reminders or satisfaction surveys, achieving response rates of over 90%.
“Our skilled in-house team installs Switchee units as part of broader improvement projects in homes across our portfolio, where we believed they would have a positive impact for residents. These installations are critical to our efforts to provide energy-efficient, safe, and comfortable living environments. By leveraging Switchee’s innovative technology, we are better equipped to proactively monitor home performance, guide future improvement works, and demonstrate the effectiveness of our energy efficiency initiatives.”
Tom Robins, CEO of Switchee, says: “I’m delighted that Switchee’s functionality is proving to be an effective solution for CHP residents. Our smart, in-home device makes it easier for housing providers to proactively manage homes, identify silent residents at risk, and ensure they remain informed every step of the way. We’re thrilled to support CHP with a proactive and practical way to ascertain and tackle damp and mould in homes to ensure residents have a safe, warm, healthy place to live.”
Emma Maguire, a CHP resident who has recently had a Switchee thermostat installed, says: “Switchee for me has been a blessing. I am registered blind, so the clear screen on the device has been brilliant because I can read it. I can control the temperature in the house with an app, so if I wake up cold I can turn up the heating from my bed or turn the heating on before I get home if I’m out.
“The device is really responsive and it doesn’t take long to adjust the temperature, which is perfect for me. The installation was quick and easy and took about two hours with three operatives working together to make sure that the set up was perfect, and they also tested the device before they left. I’m really pleased with my Switchee device.”
CHP will be more than doubling the number of installations by this time next year as a focus on improving how they effectively and proactively manage damp and mould cases.
For more information contact: [email protected] or [email protected]
About CHP
For more details about CHP please visit: www.chp.org.uk
Based in Chelmsford, Essex, CHP is a locally managed and governed housing association, registered as a Community Benefit Society
Established in 2002 to deliver its core social purpose of meeting housing need by providing homes for rent and sale, CHP owns or manages more than 11,000 homes and provides services for over 26,500 customers
For more information please contact:
Jamie Whitbread, Corporate Communications Executive
E-mail: [email protected]
Tel: 07872 107872
