Reducing energy inefficiency and improving resident comfort with BEAS
Published: 02 September 2025
Outdated buildings in a modern world
Evans’ Cottage Homes, a charity in Selly Oak, Birmingham,
provides housing for women aged 60 and older. However, its
1970s buildings posed significant challenges, including asbestos in
adhesives and tiles, deteriorating pipelines, and an outdated oneloop
heating system.
These issues affected residents’ comfort and
independence, while the inefficient heating system increased costs
and environmental impact. With limited funding from residents’
maintenance fees, external assistance was essential.
Turning insight into action
Through Birmingham City Council, the charity connected with Aston University’s energy evaluation programme, which conducted an indepth on-site assessment.
This revealed inefficiencies and confirmed the need for a modern heating system to enhance comfort, reduce costs, and improve energy efficiency.
Additional recommendations included smart meters, low-energy bulbs, and upgraded windows/doors. The comprehensive report provided trustees with clear guidance, enabling a successful grant application for net-zero initiatives.
Contractors employed flexible piping technology to install the new system efficiently, minimising structural work and disruption for residents inconvenienced.
Results in numbers
*Based upon full assessment report implementation
Estimated Annual Saving*:
£32,100
Estimated cost
to implement*
£99,025
Estimated Annual Carbon Saving*
22.57tCO2e
Independence powered by innovation
The upgraded heating system has transformed energy efficiency, reduced costs, and lowered the site’s ecological footprint.
Smart meters empower residents to manage energy usage, aligning with the charity’s commitment to independence and sustainability.
The energy assessment from Aston University was invaluable. It confirmed our priorities, gave us the confidence to move forward, and highlighted improvements we hadn’t even considered.
The new heating system has made an immediate difference for our residents, and we are proud to have taken such an important step toward sustainability.
Residents now enjoy autonomous heating controls with thermostats and radiator valves, ensuring consistent, rapid heat distribution.
Living conditions have improved significantly, thanks to the BEAS Programme and the charity’s commitment to progress.
Find out more about BEAS
BEAS offers energy assessments and access to grant funding ranging from £1,000 to £100,000 to support energy-saving improvements.
