Occupancy sensor that turns on when you are out ?

[Gary111]

Hi, I am the landlord of a flat that is prone to condensation, I invested in a flatmaster piv (positive ventilation that pumps air in) which solved the problem amazingly well.

The problem is the tenants disconnect it so it's useless.


I'm wondering if there's some kind of switch or sensor that would switch the thing on only when it's not occupied ?
To add complication the power may go off due to a card pay electric meter.

Any ideas appreciated
Thanks

 

[JohnW2]

Hi, I am the landlord of a flat that is prone to condensation, I invested in a flatmaster piv (positive ventilation that pumps air in) which solved the problem amazingly well..The problem is the tenants disconnect it so it's useless. .... I'm wondering if there's some kind of switch or sensor that would switch the thing on only when it's not occupied ?

When what "it" is not occupied? - the flat as a whole, one room, or what?

Are the tenants habits/movements not consistent/predictable enough for it to be done by 'time switching'?

o add complication the power may go off due to a card pay electric meter.

If the power goes off, then presumably your ventilation system won't operate, so the switching of it in that situation is presumably somewhat moot?

Kind Regards, John

 

[Mottie]

The problem is the tenants disconnect it so it's useless.

Can you not charge them a deposit against any future condensation damage unless they leave it alone? Make it a term of the agreement maybe?

 

[bernardgreen]

Some years ago a similar problem ( tenants turning Radon gas fan OFF ) was solved by adding a battery operated mains fail alarm. This home made device bleeped once every 5 or so seconds when the power failed ( or power was disconnected by the tenants ).

The technical people at Nuaire may have a ready made solution LINK

 

[ETAF]

These 2 parts may be linked

The problem is the tenants disconnect it so it's useless.
To add complication the power may go off due to a card pay electric meter.

Or is it noise thats the issue ?
May be worth finding out what the reason is they disconnect it, and discuss the issue with the tenants

 

[Gary111]

Tbh it is a bit noisy, it's generally disliked by the past couple of tenants, the flat is empty now so I'm trying to sort any issues.
I guess the power cut alarm will just go off if the meter needs topping up so maybe not viable.

 

[Nozzle]

And they're paying inflated prices (pre-pay card meter) to keep it running day n night.

Nozzle

 

[Mottie]

A frien of mine owns a couple of flats that she rents out. She says one of the biggest problems she has is with condensation and mould. She says renters never seem to open any windows and they dry all their washing inside.

 

[SUNRAY]

A frien of mine owns a couple of flats that she rents out. She says one of the biggest problems she has is with condensation and mould. She says renters never seem to open any windows and they dry all their washing inside.

This is the problem with rental, the tenants frequently don't understand or give a toss.

We have two similar flats, one has never had a damp issue but the long term tenant sensibly opens windows. The other has an average occupancy <2years and we have regular complaints of mould, they only seem to be satisfied that there is no problem when an 'expert' visits, tests for damp and describes ventilation. But even then the next visit finds trickle vents taped over and mould on the walls.

 

[ericmark]

I like the idea of a power failure alarm, loosing a freezer full of food is not funny, I have never had a pre-pay meter so have never needed to worry about power going off due to non payment, RCD tripping yes, but I know a small fan uses very little power, same with a outside LED light, but I am not short of the odd pound, for those who are short of cash I can see why they will try to save every little bit, adverts don't help, where they try to get some one to spend £1000 to reduce heating bill by £50 a year. EvoHome and the like.

So seems they use around 3 watts, i.e. less than is used to charge ones mobile phones, but can see when no one is breathing in the house maybe it is not required, but to switch off when in the house seems wrong way around.

 

[JohnW2]

I like the idea of a power failure alarm, loosing a freezer full of food is not funny,

Power failure alarms are only of use when the place is occupied, and if it's a whole installation failure (e.g. a 'power cut'),then one is not going to need an alarm.

If it were an alarm specifically warning of failure of power to the freezer (without the rest of the installation being affected) that is again only of use during occupancy.

In any event, as I often say, I have over-temp alarms on all my freezers - again, only of use when the house is occupied - but most of the losses of freezers I've had over the decades (all, thankfully, when 'occupied') have been due to death of the freezer, not of its electricity supply, and hence would have not been detected by power failure alarms, even ones on the freezer circuit, but all were detected by my over-temp alarms.

Kind Regards, John

 

[danechip]

I would be your best tenant ever. Even though its only a room, I have a window open and a fan on 24/7/365...

 

[SpecialK]

Put it on a timer so it only runs daytime hours for the noise?. Hardwire it in and lock it in a cupboard.
Can you get humidity alarms?

 

[Nozzle]

I would be your best tenant ever. Even though its only a room, I have a window open and a fan on 24/7/365...

Drying out fungi.... And I don't mean the type that might be forming on the walls behind your wardrobe

Nozzle

 

[danechip]

You can not blow on it, you need to find the cause and destroy it, even if it means bashing your house down and replacing. Mould and rot are just something you cannot ignore.