How Environmental Sensors Benefit Landlords and Property Managers

Navigating the complexities of modern property management can be daunting. From stringent regulations to sustainable building management, landlords face numerous challenges to ensure tenant health and well-being. As a result, they are constantly seeking ways to improve their properties, and embracing innovative solutions is crucial. One increasingly popular solution is the use of environmental sensors.

Environmental sensors are a form of smart building technology that can significantly enhance property management operations by improving safety, enhancing efficiency and creating a safer, healthier living environment for residents. So, what benefits do environmental sensors have to offer landlords?

Understanding Environmental Sensors and Their Role in Property Management

Environmental sensors are Internet of Things (IoT) technology that monitor indoor environments and provide opportunities for smart property management. In doing so, they continuously collect real-time data on factors that impact a property’s environment, including:

• Temperature
• Humidity
• Carbon dioxide (CO2)
• Indoor air quality

Aico’s Environmental Sensors, the Ei1020 and Ei1025, connect wirelessly to the Ei1000G SmartLINK Gateway, all of which are part of the 1000 Series and form the Connected Home Solution. This system extracts and collates data directly from the environmental sensors and transmits it to the user-friendly HomeLINK Portal. Through the portal, landlords can gain insights into each property’s health, identifying potential issues across their housing stock, such as damp and mould, and poor ventilation, before they escalate. Actionable insights are also available through the portal, enabling preventative measures and proactive maintenance to be taken on the properties.

Additionally, the HomeLINK Resident App provides an opportunity for residents to take control of their living environments. Like the HomeLINK Portal, residents will be able to see when conditions aren’t optimal in their homes. Residents can receive personalised recommendations via the app, which will provide advice on how to remedy issues and prevent issues from occurring.

The Value of Environmental Sensors in Enhancing Property Management

The value of environmental sensors cannot be overstated, particularly as Europeans typically spend around 70% of their time in their home environment. By providing real-time building insights into challenges such as damp and mould, energy efficiency, fuel poverty and indoor air quality, landlords are empowered to carry out strategic actions to create safer, healthier and more sustainable homes, enhancing resident well-being. The University of Exeter have found that for every £1 invested into an environmental sensor system, there is £2.68 worth of social value generated.

Key benefits in sustainable building management include:

• Early Detection of Potential Issues – Early identification of potential problems, such as damp and mould, through the HomeLINK Portal, allows them to be rectified before they evolve. This ensures the continued health and well-being of residents, preserves property integrity, and minimises costly repairs.
• Improved Energy Efficiency for Landlords – Analysing temperature and humidity data helps landlords identify properties with high energy consumption. This enables targeted interventions, such as improved insulation, optimised thermostat settings, and resident education on energy-saving behaviours. This not only reduces energy costs but also minimises the property’s environmental impact.
• Compliance – With better insights into their properties’ structure and environment, landlords can better comply with crucial legislative requirements such as Awaab’s Law. Continuous monitoring allows them to provide enhanced, timely support to residents, demonstrating a commitment to safety and quality while fostering trust.
• Improved Living Conditions – By providing real-time data on issues such as damp and mould, residents are empowered to take proactive steps, such as opening windows or adjusting heating settings. This also helps landlords to prioritise maintenance efforts, enhancing tenant comfort and safety.
• Enhanced Resident Engagement and Wellbeing – The Connected Home Solution paves the way for improved resident-landlord relationships. By providing residents with real-time data and actionable insights, they are empowered to engage with energy-saving initiatives and reduce wasteful behaviours. This, alongside targeted landlord interventions, improves living environments, which contributes to increased tenant satisfaction, higher retention rates, and ultimately, increased property value.

Smart Applications for Residential Properties

Environmental sensors offer a range of smart applications for residential property management. From monitoring indoor air quality and optimising energy consumption to detecting potential hazards like dampness and mould, this smart building technology enhances resident comfort, improves property safety, and contributes to a more sustainable living environment.

Explore how Aico’s Environmental Sensors are transforming residential properties and benefitting landlords in our case studies.

Maximising the Benefits of Environmental Sensors Through Best Practices

To maximise the benefits of environmental sensors across their housing portfolio, proper installation and integration is crucial. Aico recommends that sensors be placed in the bathroom, kitchen and principal habitable room to provide the best overall view of the property.

Best Practices for Installing Environmental Sensors in Properties:

• Correct sensor placement involves wall-mounting at breathing height, approximately 1.4m from floor level, or, where wall-mounting is impractical, ceiling mounting.
• It is crucial to site them away from direct sunlight and sources of heat.
• Environmental sensors should be placed a minimum of 300mm away from any obstructions, such as curtains or furniture. To allow for seamless communication and data transmission between sensors and the Ei1000G SmartLINK Gateway.
• The Gateway itself should ideally be sited at 2m above floor level, keeping the area surrounding the antenna clear from any obstructions.

Sensor activation is achieved via the SmartLINK app, scanning the sensor’s QR code, and following the instructions provided. The app also facilitates data entry, allowing landlords to input property and room data, which is then automatically transferred to the HomeLINK Portal for data analysis and insights.

Some important considerations to keep in mind during smart sensor integration include:

• The Ei1000G SmartLINK Gateway Antenna: The antenna for the gateway will not be connected in the box. It is important to make sure it isn’t damaged and is securely attached to the gateway for optimal signal and connection.
• Gateway Power: Always remember to turn the battery on when installing the gateway to enable house coding and data collection.
• Cable Management: Avoid wrapping any excess power cable around the gateway, as this can interfere with data transmission via the GSM (global system for mobile communications) network.
• Data Collection: Allow a minimum of 2 weeks for the environmental sensors to learn their environment and transmit data to the HomeLINK Portal via the gateway. It is important to note that some data points, such as heat loss or temperature, can take up to 8 weeks to pull through. In contrast, notifications relating to connected fire and carbon monoxide alarms will become available immediately.

HomeLINK Case Management

To maximise the benefits of environmental sensors and their data, Aico recently launched the HomeLINK Case Management (HCM) system. HCM is designed to address the biggest challenges that landlords face in maintaining safe and compliant homes. The system is an expansion of the Connected Home Solution, providing a platform to help landlords address each stage of property case management with greater ease and effectiveness by:

• Identifying potential issues
• Managing their entire portfolio
• Analysing property conditions
• Record maintenance updates and resident feedback
• Communication with residents via the HomeLINK Resident App

Discover more about the HomeLINK Case Management system.

Why Environmental Sensors are Smart Investments for Landlords

In today’s competitive property management landscape, environmental sensors are a smart investment for landlords seeking to improve efficiency, enhance tenant satisfaction, and create a more sustainable housing portfolio. By embracing this technology, landlords can proactively address potential issues, reduce energy costs, and create a healthier and more comfortable living environment for their tenants.

Explore Aico’s 1000 Series to find out how it can help you in sustainable property management.