Birmingham City Council has retrofitted around a quarter of the homes identified as part of an ambitious project to make council homes greener, warmer and more energy efficient.
Around 550 homes have been improved so far as part of plans to retrofit over 2,000 properties by September 2025, part funded by the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund.
Energy and regeneration expert Equans is working in partnership with the council to retrofit 1,600 of the 2,000 homes in the scheme. They are installing a bespoke combination of improvements dependent on each property’s needs.
Solar panels are being installed at some properties so residents can generate their own electricity to help reduce energy costs. Walls and lofts have been insulated to keep out warm air in summer and keep in warm air in winter, reducing reliance on expensive heating systems. New ventilation systems are being installed to help airflow and keep temperatures comfortable, helping to reduce the likelihood of damp and mould occurring.
Testing at the homes shows that retrofitted properties now have an Energy Performance Certificate of at least a C, with some reaching an A rating – the most energy efficient rating available.
Susan Leicester, a council tenant living in a property that has been retrofitted, said:
“Now that the work has been completed, I have seen my energy bills drop. I used to pay around £70 a month, but now it’s around £30. I am really happy with that.
“All this has encouraged me to use the money I am saving to sort out my garden, as I have lots of grandchildren. I am looking forward to having a BBQ put in.
“The work took seven weeks. The people doing the work were professional and well-mannered. They always let me know what the next step was, so I was always prepared.
“The environment needs these improvements, and I am pleased to have had this work done.”
Councillor Jayne Francis, cabinet member for housing and homelessness, said:
“Having energy efficient homes is critical to reducing energy bills and supporting people during this cost of living crisis.
“It’s estimated that the average bill savings for tenants in these retrofitted homes will be £1,100 per year. It was great to see how these savings will be used by Susan to further improve her garden.
“These investments don’t just save tenants money, they also significantly contribute to the council’s net zero agenda.
“Our housing stock is a significant producer of carbon emissions in the city. The homes on this scheme will save an estimated 2.5 tonnes of CO2 per property per year, which is around 315 tonnes of CO2 saved per year.
“This is just the start of our retrofit plans. We want all our tenants to live in warm, safe, sustainable homes. We are investing £1.4 billion in the next eight years in our council homes to ensure all our homes meet decent home standards.
“Our delivery partner, Equans, has been vital in identifying properties to retrofit. What we learn from this scheme will give us a strong foundation for developing our forward investment plans to retrofit more properties.”
Dave Parry, Operations Director at Equans, said:
“We’re pleased to be supporting the council in making its net zero carbon ambitions a reality, whilst also improving the homes of hundreds of residents.
“It’s also wonderful to see how these improvements to homes make a real difference to people’s lives. People are more comfortable in their own home and the money saved is significant.
“This scheme is a great example of how a holistic, whole-house approach to retrofit can have a really significant impact – both on the energy performance of a home and the comfort of those who live there.”
