Drayton expands Digistat language options to improve accessibility for social housing tenants

Drayton has announced a new language update for its Wiser Home app, introducing Punjabi Gurmukhi to improve accessibility for social housing tenants and help more households manage their heating with confidence.

This latest update brings the total number of language options available to 11, reinforcing Drayton’s commitment to making access to heating controls easier for tenants in their preferred language, helping them benefit from greater comfort and energy efficiency.

The new language option is available through the Wiser Home app, which can be used with Wiser, Drayton’s smart heating system as well as its Digistat programmable thermostat via Bluetooth connection.

This development comes after Drayton’s work with the London Borough of Camden (LBC) identified a need for additional language support among its social housing tenants.

After collaborating with LBC’s housing division, Drayton incorporated Punjabi Gurmukhi into its latest app development as part of a tailored heating controls retrofit package to help ensure that more tenants can confidently manage their heating.

The update will also benefit Punjabi Gurmukhi speakers across the UK as the language option is automatically available to users who have Punjabi Gurmukhi selected on their smartphone.

Ensuring heating controls are accessible to all tenants is a key priority for housing associations. However, language barriers, limited technical knowledge and physical accessibility requirements can make it difficult for some residents to manage their heating effectively, which could lead to unnecessary energy usage, reduced comfort and avoidable maintenance callouts.

By making heating controls simpler to use, housing providers can help tenants manage their heating more confidently and reduce the need for additional support.

Drayton’s Digistat range, designed with accessibility in mind, offers a number of features to support straightforward operation, including:

• A large, easy-to-read backlit display.
• A simple interface with minimal buttons.
• Low-pressure buttons with tactile feedback.
• Audible feedback when operating the controls.
• 11 language options through the Wiser Home app.
• Optional smartphone control via Bluetooth, without requiring Wi-Fi.

Chintan Vyas, Product Manager for Heating Controls, at Drayton, said: 

“Heating controls should be accessible and easy to use for everyone, regardless of their language or individual needs.

“By working closely with the London Borough of Camden, we’ve introduced an additional language option to help tenants manage their heating more confidently and make the most of its energy-saving potential.

“For housing associations, intuitive and accessible controls can also reduce unnecessary callouts and improve the resident experience. We’re committed to developing solutions that make heating management simpler and more inclusive.”

Alongside its accessible features, Digistat has been designed to offer straightforward installation and operation, making it a practical choice for housing associations looking to upgrade heating controls across their properties.

Drayton also offers tailored retrofit packages, with its regional Specification Managers providing guidance on product selection, compliance and technical requirements, contractor training, alongside ongoing support both on-site and remotely. 

draytoncontrols.co.uk