How to reduce the risk of damp and mould with smart technology
Older homes, particularly those built in the early 20th century, often present a unique set of challenges when it comes to maintaining healthy indoor environments. From outdated ventilation systems and inefficient windows to poor insulation and airflow, these types of properties are frequently at risk of damp, mould and poor air quality.
This article explores how the owners of a 1930s semi-detached home used Aico’s HomeLink environmental sensors, Ei1000G gateway and resident app to tackle those issues head-on, achieving a successful reduction in the property’s damp and mould score (DMS), from a high risk (100) to a consistently low risk (20–25) within just three months.
The home is occupied by two professionals, one of whom works full-time from a compact, poorly-ventilated office. Before any changes were made, carbon-dioxide levels in the office regularly exceeded 3,000 parts per million (PPM), far above recommended limits. Elsewhere in the house, common indicators of damp and mould were becoming increasingly visible, particularly in the kitchen and bathroom (both rooms with high moisture output and minimal ventilation).
Rather than immediately spending money on expensive structural renovations, the owners first decided to understand their indoor environment. By installing smart monitoring devices, they gained valuable, real-time insights into the conditions that were contributing to damp, mould and poor air quality. These insights then informed a step-by-step retrofit process that not only addressed the symptoms but also tackled the underlying causes.
Smart monitoring – The foundation for change
At the heart of the retrofit was the use of Aico’s HomeLink environmental sensors. These devices were installed throughout the property to monitor key environmental variables, including temperature, humidity and carbon-dioxide levels. The sensors are designed for both wall and ceiling mounting, powered by a sealed 10-year lithium battery, and require no complex wiring, making them ideal for retrofit projects.
The sensors feed data into Aico’s Ei1000G gateway, which forms the hub of our Connected Home solution. The gateway communicates with all linked sensors and alarms in the property, collecting data and transmitting it securely to the HomeLink portal. From here, residents or property managers can remotely monitor and manage the home’s environmental performance. The system also supports RadioLink+ and SmartLink-enabled devices, further enhancing its integration and flexibility.
The insights gained from this system quickly showed problem areas. The bathroom and kitchen both showed excessive humidity spikes after use, and the home office had alarmingly high carbon-dioxide levels during working hours. The temperature readings also showed inconsistencies that pointed to inefficient heating distribution, particularly in areas with poor insulation or window quality.
Structural and behavioural improvement
With clear data in hand, the owners began to make improvements. Structurally, they replaced the original single-glazed windows with double-glazed units fitted with trickle vents. These vents provide passive airflow, helping to reduce condensation without requiring constant window opening, which is beneficial in colder months.
In the bathroom, an outdated extractor fan was replaced with a more powerful, humidity-sensing model so that moisture was removed quickly after showers. The kitchen was also fitted with a new extractor hood to deal with steam and cooking vapours.
However, while these physical upgrades were important, the most significant changes were behavioural. The data prompted the owners to adopt new habits that addressed the environmental conditions contributing to damp and mould. These included:
- Post-use ventilation – Opening windows in the kitchen and bathroom immediately after cooking or showering to allow excess humidity to escape.
- Weekly cross-ventilation – Opening windows at opposite ends of the house for 10–15 minutes to refresh the air and balance the moisture levels.
- Consistent low-level heating – Rather than heating the home sporadically, the owners shifted to maintaining a steady, lower baseline temperature, which helped to prevent condensation on cold surfaces.
- Monitoring air quality – Using our HomeLink resident app to keep an eye on carbon-dioxide levels and opening windows in the home office when levels exceeded 1,000 PPM.
These behavioural changes were easy to adopt but had a profound effect. Within three months of combining data-led habits with modest structural upgrades, the DMS for the property fell from a maximum score of 100 to an average of 20–25, even during the winter months, when such issues usually get worse.
The role of the HomeLink resident app
Aico’s HomeLink resident app was vital in empowering the owners to take charge of their own environment. Much more than just a passive monitoring system, the app provided real-time insights and personalised advice tailored to the specific conditions in their home.
The key features of the HomeLink resident app include:
- Personalised home health insights – Users receive continuous updates on indoor air quality, including temperature, humidity and carbon-dioxide readings, as well as notifications when levels fall beyond recommended ranges.
- Preventative maintenance alerts – The app provides early warnings for any environmental conditions that could lead to mould or poor air quality, prompting residents to take action.
- Tenant-landlord communication – Where applicable, the system can be shared with property managers or landlords, ensuring transparency and shared responsibility for the property’s upkeep.
- User-friendly design – The app’s intuitive layout and accessible interface make it easy to understand and act on its insights.
Grace Lee, one of the owners, said, “Using the HomeLink resident app was eye-opening. I’d never really considered the air quality in my home before, but the app really highlighted the benefits of a healthy home.
“Working from home, I spend most of my time indoors and just having that extra prompt to let in some fresh air has been really handy and helped with my productivity.”
A healthier, smarter home
By leveraging real-time data, modern sensors and practical behavioural changes, the owners transformed their 1930s house into a healthier and more energy-efficient space. What began as a reactive effort to reduce mould and humidity became a proactive lifestyle change driven by technology and insight.
Our Connected Home solution provided a comprehensive picture of indoor conditions, allowing for strategic, phased improvements. Unlike traditional approaches that rely on trial and error, this smart retrofit was guided by evidence, leading to faster results and greater long-term impact.
In the end, the success of this project lowered DMS scores, improved air quality and empowered the residents. With tools like the HomeLink app and the Ei1000G gateway, they gained control over their indoor environment and took simple, consistent steps to safeguard their home and health.
Conclusion
As housing providers and private homeowners modernise their properties, solutions like Aico’s Connected Home system offer a scalable, data-driven path forward. To find out more about Aico’s HomeLink Connected Home solution, visit aico.co.uk.
Matt Powell is the relationship manager for North Wales and West England at Aico.
