Councillor Susan Aitken visited one of the Wheatley Homes Glasgow tenants benefiting from the programme to learn how it is also helping cut emissions.

Wheatley Homes Glasgow, part of Wheatley Group – Scotland’s leading housing, care and property-management organisation – is installing the ‘Connected Response’ technology.

‘Connected Response’ is fitted in homes with electric storage heaters. It gives tenants more control over their heating system and only use – and pay for – the energy they need.

Tenants can use cheaper tariff periods during the day or night, with ‘Connected Response’ shown to reduce energy use by up to 30%.

Councillor Aitken visited tenant Patricia Greene in her Langside constituency to hear about the technology.

Councillor Susan Aitken, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “It was great to meet Patricia, who’s already a fantastic ambassador for this technology, which is making a real difference to the lives of Wheatley Homes Glasgow tenants. By her own admission, Patricia is no technological expert, but she’s already an expert in how Connected Response works.

“This system allows tenants like Patricia to have much better control over their storage heating, electrical supply and hot water when they need it.

“Connected Response is another great example of how Wheatley Homes Glasgow is helping to reduce energy costs for tenants by making homes warmer and cheaper to run. I also welcome the positive impact this system has on the environment by reducing carbon emissions.”

Patricia, 70, from Mount Florida was delighted to be the 7000th tenant to benefit from ‘Connected Response’. She said: “I try to anticipate what the weather is going to do the next day. So, it’s great to see Wheatley Homes Glasgow put in the new Connected Response controls that will take tomorrow’s weather into account when setting the charge each night.

“I am now on a better tariff that will keep me warmer in the winter and make it cheaper to use my washing machine too.

“With storage heating, many people run out of heat early, meaning they are cold later in the day and too hot in the morning. Some people go to bed early in the winter and others put on electric fires to get more heat in their flat in the evening, especially during the cold winter months. Those who can’t afford to put a fire on, just stay cold.

“I think Connected Response is good, and it will make a difference. The fact the system adjusts to the local weather and charges based on the next day’s temperature is great. Being warmer and saving money would be great – and doing it with green energy is even better.”

The system forms part of Wheatley Group’s ‘Greener Homes, Greener Lives’ campaign.

Wheatley is investing £100 million in sustainability programmes to help its long-term aims of becoming carbon neutral and eliminating fuel poverty. Funding from the Scottish Government’s ‘Social Housing Net Zero Fund’ has helped accelerate this investment for Wheatley customers across Glasgow.

Frank McCafferty, Wheatley Group director of repairs and assets, added: “It’s important we do everything we can to tackle fuel poverty in our communities and reduce the cost of running a home for our tenants.

“Connected Response makes a real difference to those tenants with electric storage heaters, while also helping the environment by reducing carbon emissions.”

Plans by Wheatley Homes Glasgow will see 8000 homes in the city fitted with ‘Connected Response’ by March 2024

Kenny Cameron, managing director at ‘Connected Response’, commented: “This project is the result of great collaboration between Wheatley Homes Glasgow, City Building, Connected Response and the two main energy suppliers.

“Nothing is ever easy in the energy sector, that is why it has been so satisfying to see many thousands of Wheatley tenants, including Ms Greene, enjoying a better heating and hot water experience.”

Tenants of Wheatley Homes Glasgow also have access to a free fuel advice service. Fuel advisors can advise on how customers can heat their home and arrange low-cost repayments if they fall behind with payments. The advisers have saved Wheatley Homes Glasgow tenants more than £300,000 in the last 12 months.