- 1Fabric first — insulation and efficiency reduce how much energy is needed.
- 2Clean supply — heat pumps and solar change where energy comes from.
- 3Flexibility — storage and control change when energy is used.
- 4Measurement — baselines and reporting turn all three into evidence.
Where flexibility sits in a landlord's energy strategy.
01
Flexibility complements retrofit, it does not replace it
Fabric improvements reduce demand. Low-carbon heat changes the source of that demand. Flexibility changes the timing. They address different parts of the same problem, and flexibility is usually faster to deploy and easier to reverse than either of the others — which makes it a reasonable place to start a pilot.
02
What it can plausibly deliver
The credible outcomes are a shift in when electricity is purchased, a reduction in the cost of the same consumption where the tariff supports it, and evidence about how a portfolio's homes actually behave. Outcomes are dependent on tariff structure, occupancy and control quality, which is why they should be measured against a baseline rather than modelled and then reported as achieved.
03
What it will not do on its own
Flexibility will not fix a poorly insulated home, will not resolve fuel poverty by itself, and does not remove the need for the landlord's normal safeguarding and support routes. A pilot that claims otherwise should be treated with caution.
04
How to structure a first pilot
Choose a small, well-characterised cohort. Establish a baseline before installation. Agree the measurement framework, the assumptions and the limitations in advance, in writing. Publish the result whether or not it is flattering — that is what turns a pilot into evidence.
For residents
Flexibility is designed to be invisible. If a scheme asks you to change your routine or restricts when you can use your home, that is a different kind of scheme.
For housing providers
Flexibility is a lower-disruption entry point than fabric or heat interventions, and it generates data that improves later decisions on both.
Assumptions and limitations
- No specific saving, carbon reduction or revenue figure is claimed.
- Outcomes depend on tariff, occupancy, siting and control quality.
Sources
- New proposals to cut bills with community batteries
Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, 4 June 2026 - Battery storage advice
Energy Saving Trust, 15 July 2026
Where we are today