
1,000 Cylinders and Counting: How Birmingham City Council is Meeting Net Zero Goals with Mixergy
Birmingham City Council, striving for net zero emissions by 2030, faced a significant challenge in upgrading its residential heating systems to align with its sustainability targets while keeping energy costs manageable for tenants. The council partnered with Mixergy to deploy advanced ‘heat-what-you-need’ water cylinders across its housing stock. This resulted in £286,745 saved on energy bills, 328,587 kWh in energy savings, and a carbon emission reduction of 172.04 tonnes in just two years*.

Birmingham City Council’s Ambitious Net Zero Goals
Birmingham City Council, one of the UK’s largest local authorities, has taken proactive action on climate change. Declaring a climate emergency in 2019, the council set an ambitious target of reaching net zero by 2030—a full 20 years ahead of the national government’s 2050 goal. A key component of this initiative is decarbonising its social housing stock, ensuring residents live in sustainable homes that are both energy-efficient and affordable to maintain.
This commitment presents enormous challenges, from meeting strict energy performance certification (EPC) requirements to addressing fuel poverty for tenants. This is why the council turned to Mixergy as an innovative solution provider.
The Challenge Birmingham Faced
Meeting ambitious net-zero targets is no easy task, especially when factoring in water heating systems—responsible for a significant proportion of residential energy use and carbon emissions. Birmingham City Council needed solutions that would:
- Reduce residential energy consumption while saving tenants money.
- Improve energy efficiency to meet EPC regulations.
- Build positive tenant relations by avoiding disruptive solutions or unforeseen costs.
The pressing question was how to achieve substantial carbon savings without alienating tenants or incurring unsustainable costs for retrofits.
Mixergy’s Innovative Solution
To address these challenges, Mixergy provided their cutting-edge ‘heat-what-you-need‘ water cylinder technology, which offers precision in heating only the required volume of water. This innovative solution aligns perfectly with Birmingham’s goals by delivering energy efficiency and environmental benefits.
“Mixergy’s cutting-edge smart hot water tanks not only enhance energy efficiency but also align perfectly with our mission to help clients reduce costs while maintaining the highest safety standards. Their technology optimises water usage, lowers energy consumption, and provides precise control—all of which play a crucial role in minimising risks like Legionella.”
Danielle Bayliss, Director at Legionella and Fire Safe Services
How the Project Was Delivered
- Collaborative Execution: Birmingham City Council worked closely with Equans (principal contractor) and Legionella & Fire Safe Services (mechanical contractor) for seamless installation.
- Upgraded Systems: Mixergy cylinders are installed just like standard unvented cylinders, ensuring minimal disruption for residents during the installation process.
- Remote Diagnostics: Mixergy’s Remote Diagnostics.io platform enables councils and contractors to seamlessly monitor cylinder adoption without the need for in-person tenant visits. This ensures that all cylinders are properly configured and functioning as intended.
Unlike traditional hot water systems that heat entire cylinders unnecessarily, Mixergy’s cylinders allow tenants to control water volumes, heating only what is needed, which significantly improves energy efficiency.
The Results Speak for Themselves
Impact on Tenants
- Massive Energy Savings: Over two years, Mixergy systems delivered an impressive combined 328,587 kWh in energy savings.
- Monetary Benefits: Birmingham Council tenants collectively saved £286,745.95 on energy bills, amounting to approximately £286 annually per household.
- Tenant Satisfaction: Resident Dorothy Burrows says, “I can spend more money on my grandchildren. It’s the best thing the council has ever done.”

Meeting EPC Requirements
- Carbon Reduction: Mixergy’s installations resulted in reducing CO2 emissions by 172.04 tonnes over two years.
- Progress Toward Net Zero: Birmingham achieved notable progress toward its 2030 decarbonisation goals through measurable reductions in emissions and energy use. These efforts not only ensured compliance but also exceeded regulatory expectations.
Building a Community of Environmental Stewards
Councillor Jayne Francis shared her excitement, stating, “We’re delighted with the savings achieved across our fleet of Mixergy cylinders. Over the past two years, these innovations have helped our residents save money while supporting our ambitious decarbonisation goals. Technologies like this play a vital role in bringing our tenants along with us on this important transition. We’re eager to continue collaborating with Mixergy and incorporating more of their energy-saving solutions.”
The deployment not only contributes to net zero ambitions but also fosters collaboration and buy-in from tenants, creating a unified approach to sustainable housing.
Why Mixergy Was the Right Partner
- Scalable Technology: With nearly 1,000 Mixergy cylinders installed so far, the council sees the potential for further scalability across its housing portfolio.
- Tenant-First Design: By reducing energy bills significantly, Mixergy ensures tenants directly benefit from sustainable technologies. This approach is vital for gaining trust and goodwill within social housing frameworks.
- Sustainable Innovation: Mixergy’s cutting-edge water heating technology is a key enabler of decarbonisation strategies for large-scale housing portfolios.
The Road Ahead for Birmingham City Council
With nearly 1,000 properties benefiting from Mixergy’s systems and more installations planned in the future, Birmingham City Council is solidifying its status as a trailblazer in sustainable social housing. By scaling its adoption of advanced heating technologies, the council is steadily closing the gap to its net zero target.
Future developments include further tenant education and exploring partnerships to integrate renewable energy sources, with Mixergy’s technology to optimise environmental savings.
*Data is compared between Mixergy systems and traditional cylinders.
Book a consultation
Book a meeting with Peter McBride, Specification Director at Mixergy, to discuss your project. We’ll look at EPC / SAP compliance, the decarbonisation journey, and determine the right solution for you.