Home monitoring kits for Merthyr

The installation of a simple monitoring kit could help us to better manage temperature, humidity and electricity usage in our homes and ultimately lead more comfortable lives. This is one of the main findings from a Cardiff University project that set out to provide residents of Merthyr Tydfil with a greater understanding of how their homes work and provide advice on simple measures that could be implemented to make their home more comfortable and energy efficient. It is claimed that in many cases, the implementation of new technologies and sustainable approaches in households can actually increase electricity use as they are not designed to take people's habits and technological skills into consideration. The project team, from the Welsh School of Architecture, were at the Senedd on Wednesday (5 April 2017) to brief Assembly Members and various other stakeholders on the results of the project and their recommendations for housing associations. Between August and December 2016, the research team analysed a total of nine homes in Merthyr Tydfil, teaming up with the Merthyr Tydfil Housing Association to provide simple monitoring equipment to help the residents visualise the conditions in their home. Hygrometers, thermometer gauges and clip-on energy use monitors. The monitoring devices included data-logging equipment as well as visual devices, such as hygrometers, thermometer gauges and clip-on energy use monitors.