Housing association Tiwos needed insight into the temperature fluctuations in a number of newly built apartments, following complaints from residents about excessive temperatures during the summer. On Inscio's advice, sensors were installed in three apartments to measure why the apartments remained warm for so long in the summer. Project leader Joey van Osch shares his experience with the added value of sensor data.
Apartments in Willem II Barracks
Tiwos is a corporation that rents and manages around 7,500 homes in Tilburg and Berkel-Enschot. Twenty-four of these are social housing units in the former Willem II Barracks on Ringbaan-Zuid. Since 2024, this complex has been part of Tilburg's new Willemskwartier neighborhood and offers a unique living environment thanks to its monumental appearance. The 24 new apartments are equipped with a sustainable heat pump system for both heating and cooling. "At the end of the first summer, we received complaints from several residents that their apartments were getting much too hot and remained that way for a long time," says van Osch. "To find out the cause, I asked Inscio to come up with a measurement solution for us."
Monitoring temperature trends
All Tiwos apartments in the former Willem II Barracks are well insulated in accordance with the latest building regulations. Combined with a heat pump, the temperature should be adjustable and remain at a comfortable level. "When residents complain about the temperature, it is important for Tiwos to objectively determine whether the problem lies with the thermal building envelope, the technical installation, or the behavior of the tenant themselves," says van Osch. "In this project, the temperature in apartments on the south side rose above 30 degrees Celsius and remained too warm for too long. That is why, on the advice of Inscio, we decided to use sensors to monitor the temperature in a number of representative apartments for three months."
Sensor data and dashboard provide insight into causes
Inscio installed sensors in three apartments near the doors, windows, sun blinds, and the supply and return pipes of the heat pump. There were about 15 sensors per home in the living rooms and bedrooms, and all the measurement data could be viewed and analyzed in a dashboard. "For Tiwos, the sensor data provided an objective insight into the temperature curve," says van Osch. "As a result, we discovered that a few heat pumps continued to heat instead of cool in the summer. The systems were set up during installation to operate in an energy-efficient manner, which was not the configuration that provided a comfortable living environment in the summer. That is why, in consultation with the manufacturer and installer, the settings in some apartments were adjusted based on the sensor data, and additional sun blinds were installed in one home."
New need
Monitoring and providing insight into temperature and humidity levels in buildings is a new requirement for property managers, project developers, and construction companies. By continuously measuring these factors over a period of time, rather than taking random snapshots, abnormal values and incipient leaks can be detected before they cause complaints or damage. "In our experience, there are still very few suppliers of sensors with knowledge of applications in construction," Van Osch continues. "Because Inscio had previously helped a colleague of mine with a similar need to gain insight into moisture development in a biobased floor, they were an obvious sparring partner for me."
"For Tiwos, the most important added value of sensor data is the objective insight it provides for all parties involved. For us, it is valuable data for handling and resolving resident reports and also for risk management."
Added value of sensor data
“For Tiwos, the most important added value of sensor data is the objective insight it provides for all parties involved,” concludes van Osch. “For us, it is valuable data for handling and resolving resident reports and also for risk management. As with the previous project, the collaboration with Inscio was professional and pleasant. By installing sensors in more places than just roofs, floors, and facades, they are further expanding their knowledge and experience. "Looking ahead, sensor data can also add value to projects focused on developing, building, and operating our next generation of smart homes."
