The new HDB flats of the future may be cooler to live in – quite literally.
HDB working on smart solutions to reduce the carbon footprint
Punggol, HDB. Picture: iProperty
The housing authorities are looking for smart solutions that could cool the temperature inside HDB flats by as much as 2-degree celsius. This may reduce the need to turn on air-conditioners and hence reduce the carbon footprint, even as global temperatures rise.
The HDB has teamed up with German industrial giant Evonik to study the possible use of their new silicon-based material called Calostat in the insulation material of the roof panels of HDB flats. This new material is already being used in buildings in Germany, Switzerland and England and it reduces heat gain and transmissions.
The study will commence early 2020 and if successful, the material could also be used in other parts of the HDB buildings such as the facade and other parts of the roof.
See more: August 2019 BTO – What We Know So Far
Smart digital security solutions for HDB flats of the future
Plantation Grove, BTO. Picture: HDB
They are also working with another provider, V-key, on the possibility of outfitting future HDB flats with smart-home solutions such as digital security, lighting and motion sensors and even smart curtains (which can open automatically when someone enters the room).
The motion sensors could be useful for the elderly, especially if they live alone or have to be alone in the flat for extended periods of time.
These sensors could “learn” the movements of the elderly and inform their next-of-kin should irregular movements be detected. This would be particularly helpful as the population of Singapore ages.
