Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham visited Energy House 2.0 on 21 August to see first-hand how our research is helping drive the UK’s retrofit revolution. The visit highlighted how innovative solutions, such as infra-red heating, could support homes that aren’t suitable for heat pumps.
Mayor Burnham toured the facility with Vice-Chancellor Professor Nic Beech, Director of Energy House Labs Professor Will Swan, and industry partners to discuss how Greater Manchester’s £100 million+ retrofit programmes can help reduce energy bills, cut carbon emissions, and improve health outcomes for residents.
During the visit, the Mayor saw our new Centre for Retrofit, which allows our team to test whole-home decarbonisation solutions from heating and insulation to ventilation under realistic, controlled conditions.
One of the key innovations on display was Ambion Heating’s infrared panel and dynamic control system, trialled in Bellway Homes’ Future Home. Bellway Homes’ study concluded:
“The test results suggest that the Ambion system would be an ideal solution for flats and maisonettes.”
Mayor Burnham said:
“Technologies like Ambion Heating’s infrared heating – tested and trialled right here in Salford – prove that we can decarbonise even the hardest-to-treat homes… The new Centre for Retrofit will strengthen Greater Manchester’s position at the forefront of the green economy.”
Professor Will Swan added:
“Retrofitting isn’t a side issue – it’s central to the UK’s climate, cost-of-living and housing challenges… The new Centre for Retrofit will give us the ability to evaluate whole-home solutions in a way that’s never been done before.”
The visit was a great opportunity to showcase the work happening at Energy House Labs and demonstrate how research, industry, and the city-region can come together to develop practical, low-carbon solutions for homes across Greater Manchester.