From Cold Early Mornings to a Cosy, Healthy Home: Transforming an Elderly Couple’s Lives with Sustainable Energy

On the Staffordshire Moorlands, Dennis and Sandra faced the gruelling task of igniting their log burner every morning, only to endure a two-hour wait for hot water. This scene is all too common for many elderly residents in inefficient homes across the region, where the struggle to remain warm and healthy is a daily challenge.

Earlier this year, Dennis met Heather, an Energy Advisor from Residential Energy Services (RES), at a local energy day event. Today, thanks to the transformative work of RES, Dennis and Sandra are now living in a warm, energy-efficient home equipped with an air source heat pump, solar panels, and upgraded loft insulation.

“Our mornings are completely different now,” Dennis shared in an exclusive interview. “We can have showers early, my radiators are warm, and there’s plenty of hot water. This is the lifestyle I want as I get older—just get out of bed, and everything’s warm and cosy.”

Elderly residents living in inefficient homes often endure higher fuel costs, inconsistent heating, and increased physical strain, all of which diminish quality of life.

RES recognises these difficulties and has committed to addressing them head-on through innovative energy solutions such as The Warmer Homes Project, spearheaded by RES in collaboration with the Midlands Net Zero Hub and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. The project aims to advise as many hard-to-reach and hard-to-treat properties as possible with modern energy-efficient solutions.

Reflecting on the retrofit process, Dennis remarked, “Beginning in May, installation started. A week and a half, and it was finished and done with. Everything went as smoothly as it possibly could.”

Sarah, Director of RES, praised the impact of their projects: “This home was a low E when we conducted the retrofit assessment. I’m proud to say that it’s now a low A, significantly improving their SAP bands. We are proud to deliver these essential energy efficiency upgrades, ensuring more residents like Dennis and Sandra can enjoy a healthier, cosier, and more affordable lifestyle.”

RES’s dedication to improving the living conditions of elderly residents in Staffordshire has been nominated for a 2024 London Construction Award for their outstanding contributions to community engagement.