First Insights from the Collaborative Endeavour: Energy House 2.0 Unveiled
The initial findings from an innovative research collaboration involving the University of Salford, leading housebuilders Barratt Developments and Bellway Homes, and construction solutions provider Saint-Gobain UK & Ireland, have recently been made public, marking the first anniversary of the project. These findings promise to significantly enhance the understanding within the industry regarding the implementation of the Future Homes Standard, offering valuable insights into the feasibility of delivering sustainable housing on a large scale.
Preliminary results suggest that by 2025, the Future Homes Standard could indeed be achieved at scale, provided that the supply chain for key components can keep up and adequate skills training remains accessible.
In January 2023, the final reports were published from the extensive testing of the two within the innovative Energy House 2.0 climate chamber. This unique facility can simulate environmental conditions mirroring 95% of the Earth’s inhabited land, encompassing temperatures ranging from -20°C to 40°C, along with rain, wind, snow, and solar radiation. The testing was made possible in part through funding from Greater Manchester’s Innovation Accelerator programme.
These initial results of the project focus on the performance of the houses in terms of an overall ‘Heat Transfer Coefficient’ in addition to detailed studies if the individual fabric elements (walls, roof, floor, windows, and doors). These findings are instrumental in shaping a roadmap for housebuilders to construct zero-carbon new homes across the UK.
Scheduled to become the new Building Regulations for new homes in the UK starting from 2025, the Future Homes Standard mandates that all new homes must produce 80% fewer carbon emissions compared to homes built under the 2013 regulations. Homes built to these standards are expected to surpass the efficiency levels of the average UK housing stock, offering financial benefits to households through reduced running costs and contributing to environmental sustainability by lowering carbon emissions.
Since January 2023, researchers have been evaluating two distinct prototypes: “The Future Home” by Bellway Homes and “eHome2” by Barratt Developments/Saint-Gobain UK & Ireland. Both houses are three-bedroom homes constructed using high-performance, energy-efficient materials.
Initial findings from fabric testing indicate that these homes have demonstrated resilience against extreme climates, which are becoming increasingly prevalent. Despite variations in construction methods, both homes exhibited a marginal difference of up to 8% between anticipated and actual performance under climate-controlled conditions, positioning them among the most efficient homes tested in research settings.
Professor Richard Fitton from Energy House 2.0 at the University of Salford emphasised the significance of the construction sector’s ability to deliver future homes standards houses at scale over the next decade. Fitton underscored the collaborative efforts between Barratt Developments, Bellway Homes, and Saint-Gobain UK & Ireland as ground-breaking for the industry.
Oliver Novakovic, Technical & Innovation Director at Barratt Developments, expressed satisfaction with the initial testing of eHome2, highlighting its positive impact on running costs and acknowledging the project’s role in identifying areas for improvement in skills and technology.
Jamie Bursnell, Group Technical & Innovations Manager at Bellway Homes, echoed this sentiment, stating that the results of fabric testing provide confidence in their ability to deliver homes at scale under the Future Homes Standard.
Mike Chaldecott, CEO of Saint-Gobain UK & Ireland, lauded the exceptional performance of eHome2 and outlined plans to develop sustainable housebuilding systems based on the project’s findings.
Moving forward, ongoing research will focus on optimising heating, hot water, and living conditions using low carbon technologies. Subsequent testing will assess the effectiveness of various electrified heating systems within the homes.
Links to research papers:
- Saint-Gobain UK & Ireland and Barratt Developments “eHome2” Baseline Performance Report
- Bellway Homes “The Future Home” Baseline Performance Report
Friends of Energy House 2.0: Celebrating Success and Unveiling Our 2024 Philanthropic Programme
A celebration of the accomplishments of the Friends of Energy House 2.0 charitable programme marked a momentous year and set the stage for the launch of the 2024 Philanthropic Programme.
Taking place earlier this month at The Lowry Theatre, the event attracted numerous guests who were treated to a tour of Energy House 2.0, providing them with an up-close look at the state-of-the-art research facility. This was followed by a delightful meal and inspiring speeches at the Lowry, Salford Quays.
The Friends of Energy House 2.0 community, established in 2022, has played a pivotal role in Energy House Labs’ philanthropic endeavours. In the previous year, corporate partners generously contributed nearly £300,000, which was directed towards impactful projects. These included funding two PhD studentships and supporting four sustainability awareness initiatives.
Among these initiatives were projects aimed at engaging school children in sustainability through poetry and animation, developing a pilot sustainability and climate change education program for refugee professionals, empowering ethnic minority women in Greater Manchester, and conducting workshops on climate change education for K12 students. For further details on these community-led impact projects, click here.
Professor Will Swan, the Director of Energy House Labs at the University of Salford, expressed his satisfaction with the turnout, stating, “Both Richard and I were delighted to see so many partners join us for the evening. Friends of Energy House 2.0 provides a fantastic platform for Salford and our partners to make a positive impact in the community and approach sustainability in innovative and accessible ways, extending our reach to demographics that may otherwise be overlooked.”
Looking ahead, the Energy House Labs Philanthropic Programme for 2024 is geared towards sustaining and expanding its efforts. Plans for the upcoming year were discussed, highlighting the importance of continued support for scholarships, community projects, and research into fuel poverty.
Exploring Energy House 2.0: February’s Triumph in Public Tours!
In early February, Energy House 2.0 opened its doors once again for a captivating series of public tours on the 1st and 2nd. Welcoming a diverse array of attendees, including industry professionals, curious members of the public, schools, and students, our expert-led guided tours provided an insightful 30-minute journey through our cutting-edge facility.
Due to overwhelming demand, we now offer these tours twice a year, allowing more individuals to experience the innovative technologies within Energy House 2.0. To secure a spot on the waiting list for our upcoming summer 2024 tours, please email energyhouselabs@salford.ac.uk.
A heartfelt thank you to all who joined us, contributing to the success of this enriching event
Heating the Person, Not the Home: Grant Henshaw Showcases Energy House 2.0 on BBC Morning Live
On the morning of February 5, 2024, the spotlight shone brightly on the University of Salford’s ground-breaking Energy House 2.0 as it welcomed a special guest from BBC Morning Live. Justine Jones, a reporter from the morning show, embarked on an informative journey through the innovative facility alongside our esteemed Research fellow, Grant Henshaw. Grant guided Justine through the facility, showcasing the ongoing testing and revolutionary concepts being explored within the homes.
The focal point of the program centred around the concept of “heating the person, not the home.” Grant demonstrated how wearable technology could efficiently warm individuals rather than expending energy to heat entire living spaces. Justine herself experienced the technology first-hand, donning the wearable device as Grant illustrated its cost-effective benefits. By highlighting this approach, Grant showed how households could potentially save up to £1500 annually by adopting more targeted heating methods, thereby offering an interesting alternative to traditional heating practices.
The visit not only provided an invaluable platform for showcasing the advancements at Energy House 2.0 but also shed light on the University of Salford’s commitment to sustainable solutions for the future. Grant’s expertise and the innovative technologies on display offered viewers a glimpse into a more efficient and affordable approach to home heating, reinforcing the importance of ongoing research in addressing pressing energy challenges. Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer (segment from 22 minutes).
Energy House Labs New Starters
Philip Clarke
Beginning his academic journey at the University in September 2023, Phil joined Professor Richard Fitton as an Air Source Heat Pump & Future Energy Systems Researcher within Energy House 2.0. While maintaining an active role with considerable experience in the industry, his passion for research propels him to bridge the longstanding gap between academia and industry.
Phil’s goal is to bring pragmatic solutions to the challenges associated with implementing low carbon innovation and design in the field.
Beyond his responsibilities at Energy House Labs and his interest in research, Phil actively serves as the founder and CEO of PCL, a company with 21 years of experience deeply rooted within the renewables industry. Here his focus centres on delivering low carbon solutions through their expertise in design, consultancy, and installation. He specializes in system design, specification, and the delivery of sustainable solutions for both domestic and commercial environments.
Phil is dedicated to making a positive impact on the industry by combining hands-on experience with ongoing academic pursuits.