Retrofit for Social Housing

Solihull, Birmingham

Beattie Passive delivered this retrofit for social housing in the Midlands, using its patented TCosy™ deep retrofit solution. It provides a fast, low cost and highly replicable solution for a wide range of buildings. The TCosy™ can reduce energy demand by up to 90%. Furthermore, retrofitting creates a healthier environment and it can be completed while residents remain in their home.

The project partners

• Beattie Passive – inventors of the patented TCosy™ Retrofit build system. Designed, manufactured and delivered the retrofit.
• Encraft – energy consultants and Passivhaus designers, who were the innovative lead partner.
• Coventry University – for tenant involvement and assessment.
• Solihull Community Housing – a subsidiary of Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, who own the block of 6 flats.

“We are very pleased with the work that has been done. We’ve noticed that there are no draughts around the windows anymore and our whole flat feels much warmer. We certainly don’t put our heating on as often as we did before the work was done. The MVHR system has made a real difference to the quality of the air, especially the boost button which gets rid of stale air ever so quickly, especially after smoking.”

Mr & Mrs Dooley

“

It has made an incredible difference. I have only had to switch my heating on twice so far since the work was completed a few months ago. Even today (29/11/16) which is really cold (less than 5C) I haven’t had to put the heating on. I budget for my energy costs and usually put £10 credit on each time. This is now lasting a lot longer than it was before we had the work done and I am even building up credit on my account.

Miss Freeman

Prev

Next

Deep retrofit for social housing – project benefits

Let’s take a look at the benefits of this deep retrofit for social housing. The project was estimated to deliver CO₂ savings typically in the range 2-4t CO₂ per year, per dwelling. Making a realistic assumption of rapid scale up to 1000-5000 properties a year, it will contribute up to 20,000t CO₂ savings a year to the national effort to reduce CO₂ emissions.

There was minimal disruption to residents as they remained in their homes for the duration of the retrofit process. You can dramatically reduce your energy bills by retrofitting your home. Consequently, residents also benefit from an enhanced and healthier living environment.

The Jericho Foundation

The approach provided training and labour opportunities which is hoped to have a positive impact on social inclusion and long-term economic benefits for local communities. The Jericho Foundation manufactured the TCosy™ structure.

The project developed models for best practice in tenant and community engagement, ongoing liaison and feedback loops. It optimises energy use. Furthermore, it also ensures tenants and communities are happy with the outcomes of the project.

The Jericho Foundation are a social enterprise that work with people who experience significant personal or occupational barriers to employment, training or social inclusion. Their aim is to provide these people with the skills and experience they need through a range of social enterprises. Jericho Construction worked with Beattie Passive to manufacture the timber frame for this retrofit for social housing in Solihull, developing the skills and knowledge of the trainees.