Sensor network

A sensor unit arranged for placement in or proximate to a chimney, wherein the sensor unit comprises:

• at least one sensor arranged to measure a parameter of the chimney and use said measured parameter to generate chimney health data associated with said chimney;
• and
• a transmission module arranged to transmit said chimney health data to a remote analysis unit;
• wherein the sensor unit comprises a temperature sensor and said parameter comprises a temperature profile of the chimney over a time period, the temperature profile providing an indication of the rate at which the temperature changes when a fire is initially lit below the chimney;
• and
• wherein the indication of the rate at which the temperature changes when a fire is initially lit below the chimney is used to generate the chimney health data, wherein the rate at which the temperature changes is used to assess deposit buildup on a flue wall of the chimney.

A method of operating a sensor network system for determining a chimney maintenance schedule, the sensor network comprising a sensor unit comprising at least one sensor and a transmission module, and a remote analysis unit comprising a reception module, the method comprising:

• measuring a parameter of the chimney using the sensor;
• using said measured parameter to generate chimney health data associated with said chimney;
• transmitting said chimney health data using the transmission module;
• receiving the chimney health data using the reception module;
• receiving chimney profile data associated with the chimney;
• estimating a chimney health level associated with the chimney from the respective chimney health data and chimney profile data;
• and
• determining the chimney maintenance schedule from the estimated chimney health level;
• wherein the sensor unit comprises a temperature sensor and said parameter comprises a temperature profile of the chimney over a time period, the temperature profile providing an indication of the rate at which the temperature changes when a fire is initially lit below the chimney;
• and
• wherein the indication of the rate at which the temperature changes when a fire is initially lit below the chimney is used to generate the chimney health data, wherein the rate at which the temperature changes is used to assess deposit buildup on a flue wall of the chimney.