We recently announced the expansion of our partnership with Grampian Housing Association—our longest-running UK project, dating back to 2019.
What began as an innovative government-funded trial has grown into a proven solution, helping tenants cut energy costs, reduce consumption, and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Why social housing is critical to the energy transition
Social housing providers play a pivotal role in the UK’s transition to a more sustainable energy system. With millions of homes relying on electric heating, which is significantly more expensive than gas, finding ways to reduce consumption is critical.
- Over 4 million social homes in the UK – Small efficiency gains in each home lead to a substantial collective impact.
- High reliance on electric heating – Social housing tenants often live in properties with limited insulation and costly heating systems, making energy efficiency vital.
- Rising fuel poverty – For low-income households, energy bills can take up a disproportionate amount of their income. Solutions that lower costs are a necessity, not a luxury.
Grampian Housing Association has stepped up to demonstrate what’s possible, showing that affordable, innovative solutions exist to drive down costs and emissions without passing the burden onto tenants.
Delivering measurable impact
Grampian Housing Association has long been at the forefront of energy-efficient housing solutions. Previous initiatives have included the installation of solar panels, heat pumps, and battery storage to help tenants better manage their energy use and lower costs while at the same time allowing them to cut their carbon footprint.
Now, Voltalis’ technology is amplifying those efforts by giving households a seamless way to optimise energy use without infrastructure overhauls. It’s a natural evolution in Grampian’s mission to provide affordable, sustainable living.
How Voltalis works for social housing
Voltalis’ free-to-install technology connects directly to a tenant’s electric heating system, automatically adjusting power use during peak demand without affecting the tenants’ thermal comfort. The system helps to shave off unnecessary energy use, reducing strain on the grid while delivering real cost savings to tenants.
By integrating with existing heating systems, Voltalis technology turns standard electric radiators into smart radiators, allowing tenants to cut energy consumption by up to 15% while staying warm and comfortable.
Why Grampian chose Voltalis
For Grampian, choosing Voltalis was a logical step—a zero-cost solution with a high probability of immediately reducing tenants’ bills while reinforcing the association’s sustainability objectives.
“The more I heard about Voltalis, the more it made sense—why wouldn’t we do this? It’s free for us, saves our tenants money, and helps cut carbon emissions. It ticks every box.”
Craig Stirrat, Chief Executive of Grampian Housing Association
The initial trial in 2019 demonstrated solid results and irrefutable arguments in favour of Voltalis’ technology:
- Up to 15% average reduction in tenant energy bills
- High tenant satisfaction with no disruption to daily life
Now, with an additional 500+ properties set to receive Voltalis technology, one-fifth of Grampian’s housing stock will soon benefit from smarter energy use.
What tenants are saying
For tenants, the biggest advantage of Voltalis is simplicity. Once installed, the system operates autonomously, optimising energy use in the background.
“Energy costs keep going up, but my bills have stayed lower thanks to Voltalis. It’s completely free, and I could save up to £350 a year.”
Alice Kelby, Tenant at Grampian Housing Association
Many tenants have described the system as “set and forget”, requiring no manual adjustments while delivering immediate and ongoing savings without compromising comfort levels.
Scaling for the future
With UK electricity prices among the highest globally, housing associations face growing pressure to find scalable, impactful solutions that provide real, lasting benefits.
Grampian’s expansion of Voltalis demonstrates that cost-effective energy savings are possible at scale, positioning social housing at the forefront of the UK’s net zero transition.
“This project is a win-win-win. It reduces energy bills at a time when people need it most, it aligns with our Net Zero strategy, and it’s seamless for tenants. It’s exactly the kind of innovation we need in social housing.”
Craig Stirrat, Chief Executive of Grampian Housing Association
