A care home in northern Scotland, housing over 30 self-contained apartments, recently undertook a significant upgrade to its heating and monitoring systems with a view to improve resident comfort, operational efficiency, and sustainability. As part of the project, over 150 of Sontay’s LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) Thermostatic Radiator Valve (TRV) heads and Door Open/Close sensors, were installed, delivering cutting-edge Internet of Things (IoT) solutions to keep residents safe and comfortable.

Sontay’s LoRaWAN TRV’s are designed to improve energy efficiency, achieving impressive cost savings and CO2 reductions for building owners, whilst improving comfort for occupier. This is achieved through their remote temperature control capabilities. It allows users to manually or remotely adjust temperature in any rooms, and when integrated within a BMS (Building Management System) can provide useful data analytics to identify trends and implement smart solutions to minimise energy waste. The TRV also temporarily stops heating when an open window is detected. 

This individual room temperature control allows the care home residents to enjoy a personalised and comfortable living environment, all while ensuring energy is used only when necessary, thus reducing waste. Lower energy consumption in turn leads to substantial savings on utility bills, freeing up the funds for other essential care services. The door open/close sensors can detect when windows or doors are even slightly opened, allowing better energy management by reducing the heating. They are deployed with a temperature sensor, 10-year battery life and are designed with ease of installation for the contractor in mind. 

The installation process at the care home was notably streamlined due to the uniformity of the newly installed radiators across the facility. This standardisation meant that only a single type of adapter was needed, simplifying the process and minimising installation time. Sontay’s products were delivered punctually, and as part of installation and commissioning, Sontay supported to ensure data feedback was accurate.

Throughout the project, Sontay demonstrated exceptional customer service. The Sales team were able to provide enhanced support, ensuring a smooth installation experience. And technical issues encountered were addressed promptly, reflecting Sontay’s commitment to quality and reliability. 

Fraser Eadie, Managing Director at A&E Controls, who were responsible for installation of Sontay’s devices commented on the project: “Sontay has demonstrated exceptional foresight through their proactive approach to horizon scanning, identifying the convergence of IoT technologies with the BMS Controls market as the future of our industry. By integrating their industry-leading sensing solutions with protocols such as LoRaWAN, they have strategically positioned themselves as a market leader, ready to meet the evolving demands of the sector. I am excited to see their product portfolio grow as they continue to bring innovative devices to the market.”

The successful project underscores Sontay’s commitment to providing innovative, efficient, and user-friendly solutions that significantly enhance comfort and operational efficiency within care homes. Through easy integration of IoT technologies and exceptional customer support, Sontay has set a benchmark for the future of smart building solutions.