Case Study: West Dunbartonshire Council

Happy tenants: improved heating experience and lower energy bills

HeatSage, Connected Response’s smart storage heating controls, means tenants feel they are ‘…getting more heat for less money.’

The Challenge

  • Electric storage heating and hot water in 800 flats across14 tower blocks
  • Storage heaters charged overnight at off-peak Economy 7 rates
  • Tenants too hot in the morning; on cooler days, too cold in the afternoon and evening
  • Expensive supplementary electric heating e.g. oil-filled radiators, convection heaters, often used by tenants at peak rates
  • High bills for tenants, including some who are already fuel poor

The Solution

  • HeatSage smart storage heating and hot water controls installed in 800 flats
  • West Dunbartonshire, in collaboration with SP Energy Networks, Scottish Power and Connected Response, was able to remove obsolete (from June 2025) radio teleswitches and replace with smart meters
  • Smart meters enabled residents to choose an Economy 10 tariff giving three off-peak charging periods, including one in the afternoon and one in the evening
  • Off-peak charging optimised using weather compensation; charging aligned with the following day’s projected temperature
  • Tenants have more confidence in storage heaters and have moved away from supplementary electric heating
  • Many flats now have electric showers rather than baths. Hot water charge drastically reduced as hot water tank now only needed for washing dishes and hands
  • HeatSage has enabled West Dunbartonshire Council to save over 3,000 functional storage heaters being consigned to landfill

Quote:

‘I can’t believe it’s the same (storage) heaters as they never get cold anymore because they are getting the three charge times, which keeps the house warm. Whenever anyone comes to visit, they always comment about how lovely and warm it is.

I am amazed by the difference in my electricity bill. I used to pay £160 a month but it reduced to £92 in December, then £72 for January. I feel like I am getting more heat for less money. I am absolutely delighted.’

Feedback from delighted longstanding tenant following her first winter with HeatSage smart controls

You can download a PDF of the West Dunbartonshire case study below:

CR-Case-Study-West DunbartonshireDownload