Data-Driven Transformation: Unlocking the Power of Building Monitoring to Future-Proof Our Homes

Author: Dr Emmanouil Perisoglou

Monitoring plays a crucial role in retrofitting by providing data-driven insights that help evaluate the effectiveness of upgrades and ensure energy and performance targets are met. It is vital for informing accurate building modelling, as it provides real-world data that enhances predictions and supports better design and retrofit decisions. During operation, monitoring becomes a powerful diagnostic tool, essential for responsive and cost-effective maintenance. By tracking real-time data, it allows for quicker responses to issues—including those related to safety and occupant comfort—and supports better long-term planning for sustainable operations.

Comprehensive monitoring in demonstration homes is essential for understanding how buildings truly perform in real-life conditions. Unlike basic checks, deep monitoring uses detailed data from sensors to track energy use, systems performance, temperature, humidity, air quality, and occupant behaviour over time. This helps identify exactly what works—and what doesn’t—in retrofit measures or new technologies.

By closely observing how demonstration homes function, researchers and practitioners can fine-tune building models, improve retrofit and transformation strategies, and avoid costly mistakes before scaling up to larger housing programs. Monitoring builds trust with stakeholders by providing clear, evidence-based results. Deep monitoring turns demo homes into powerful learning tools that drive better, more efficient homes.

Transforming Homes utilises 10 demonstration homes—four in Swansea, in collaboration with Swansea Council, and six in Bristol with WeCanMake (WCM) and Knowle West Media Centre (KWMC). Researchers are involved in all stages of transformation: planning, design, procurement, construction, and operation—creating a continuous learning journey for all stakeholders.

Left – Swansea Demo Home; Joel Cady. Right – Bristol Demo Home; Francis Moran

Teams from Cardiff University and the University of Bath designed and installed short- and long-term monitoring equipment to understand these buildings and their components, and to calibrate energy and hygrothermal modelling tools. They also employed appropriate sensors to quantify the performance of the homes and their systems before and after the transformation. The two sets of monitoring data will be normalised and compared, with the aim of quantifying the overall impact of the transformation and the benefits of each integrated solution.

The sketch below outlines the short- and long-term monitoring activities and instruments used before and after the transformation. Short-term monitoring involves fabric testing and quantitative data collection from occupants. Long-term monitoring captures variables related to comfort and energy performance, requiring high-frequency and long-duration data collection to draw meaningful conclusions. The instruments used in this study are non-intrusive, allowing for remote sensing and silent data transmission to remote servers, thereby minimising disturbance to occupants.

Example of the monitoring plan of the Transforming Homes demos; Emmanouil Perisoglou, Juan Fernadez Goycoolea

The four 1932-built semi-detached homes in Swansea have undergone varying degrees of modernisation since the 1980s. All have traditional construction, outdated insulation, and A-rated boilers. Two homes include extensions and lifts. Residents report damp issues, limited storage, and high energy use, providing critical insights for retrofit and monitoring strategies. Initial pre-retrofit results showed high and variable wall U-values, caused by poor and inconsistent insulation, leading to thermal bridges and heat losses (figure 2). Energy use—especially gas consumption—is high, while comfort levels are low. Airtightness issues were identified, particularly around windows and skirting boards.

Thermography indicating inconsistent cavity wall insulation; Emmanouil Perisoglou, Juan Fernadez Goycoolea

The data collected, including surveys, resident engagement, and pre-transformation monitoring efforts is directly shaping the design strategies being applied to each demonstration home, ensuring that interventions are responsive to real conditions through a holistic diagnosis. Beyond these real-life examples, the insights and lessons learned from these monitored homes will feed into a growing catalogue of design solutions aimed at scaling up housing transformation across the UK—particularly for the many homes built between the 1920s and 1940s. This approach not only improves outcomes for current residents, but also creates a replicable model for delivering healthier, more efficient homes nationwide.