Projects

Retrofit for Social Housing

This deep retrofit project in Solihull, Birmingham, demonstrates the efficacy of the Beattie Passive TCosy™ system for social housing. It was completed for Solihull Community Housing
Retrofit-experts-EnerPHit-Passivhaus
Made In The UK
Location
Solihull
Client
Solihull Community Housing
Delivery Method
Retrofit
Units
Block of 6 flats
Wall U value
0.099 W/m²k
Roof U value
0.1 W/m²k
Perimeter Floor U value
0.43 W/m²k
Airtightness
0.93 3/hm²@50pa

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’ve enjoyed working with Beattie Passive on the Retrofit project at Grandys Croft in Solihull and seen with great interest the impressive transformation of these six flats. Throughout the project, Beattie Passive’s Site Manager, Steve, was on site to liaise with the residents who were able to remain in their homes for the duration of the construction process. This type of project is central to our commitment of providing improved thermal and energy performance for the homes in our community.
Mark Pinnell
Head of Asset Management at Solihull Community Housing

“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
Retrofit for social housing in Birmingham before and after shots

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.

“What every retrofit project needs is a low risk, whole building approach, capable of delivering superior thermal protection and air tightness, as well as fit for purpose heat recovery ventilation. Beattie Passive’s TCosy™ does all of this and more.”
Helen Brown
Head of Building Physics, Encraft Architects

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.

Retrofitting benefits social housing providers and their tenants
Give our team a call to find out more about retrofit services