Energy House Labs Leads Groundbreaking Research into Future Home Heating Systems
At Energy House Labs, we’ve just completed the UK’s largest-ever study into heating systems, offering crucial insights into the future of home heating. Conducted at our state-of-the-art Energy House 2.0 facility, this research tested 14 different heating technologies to determine the most efficient, cost-effective solutions as the UK moves towards a gas-free future.
Funded by the Greater Manchester Innovation Accelerator Programme, the study explored the effectiveness of various systems, including Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs), infrared panels, underfloor heating, skirting board heaters, and traditional radiators. Our findings revealed that ASHPs are among the most energy-efficient solutions, costing as little as £1.84 per day to heat a home during winter, outperforming current gas boilers.
The research was conducted under controlled conditions that replicate a wide range of real-world climates, from typical winter temperatures to extreme cold. We tested heating systems using both constant heating patterns and the traditional approach many UK households use, heating their homes in the morning and evening. Our results showed that while ASHPs performed excellently under constant heating, consumers would need to adjust their usage habits for maximum efficiency compared to traditional gas systems.
In collaboration with partners like Bellway and Barratt Redrow, we also tested innovative heating solutions in real-world homes, such as the first roof-mounted ASHPs and mechanical heat recovery systems. This research not only supports the UK’s net-zero targets but also provides valuable insights that will help homeowners, builders, and policymakers plan for the future of home heating. For further information, visit the Energy House Labs Research Repository.
Henry Royce Research Grand Challenge 2024: Advancing Materials for Sustainable Housing
Doctoral Materials Science researchers from across the UK participated in the annual Henry Royce Research Grand Challenge. This year’s theme, “Materials Components for Sustainable Housing,” was presented by senior executives from Saint-Gobain at the start of the two-day event.
The event followed the “research sandpit” format, encouraging idea generation, team formation, and proposal development through brainstorming sessions, stakeholder role-plays, and reviews. Proposals were judged by a senior panel of academic, industrial, and local government experts, including Professor Will Swan, Director of Energy House Labs at the University of Salford.
The competition was won by Clear Impact with their innovative ideas on reducing embodied carbon through raw material selection and production processes for glass in glazed elements.
George Miller, Student Engagement Manager, said: “The Royce PhD Student Sandpit is an exciting opportunity for students to experience new ways of working and generating ideas. It’s also an insight into the challenges industry faces, and the many considerations—materials-focused and otherwise—that are involved in building a complete solution.”
Professor Will Swan added: “Materials are a key component of the decarbonisation challenge, from lower impact concrete to high-performing insulation for retrofit. The Sandpit was a great opportunity to engage with the researchers of tomorrow and provide advice that considers not just the science, but product design, and application. It was a great experience for all of the judges.”
Energy House Labs Publishes Key Findings from DEEP Project on Solid Wall Home Retrofit
Energy House Labs at the University of Salford is pleased to announce the publication of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) Demonstration of Energy Efficiency Potential (DEEP) Project reports.
Fronted by Research Fellow Dave Farmer, the DEEP project represents the most in-depth case study to date on the impact of fabric retrofit in solid wall houses. Over 16 months, the Energy House Labs team carried out 88 tests on 16 different fabric retrofit scenarios in our Energy House 1, a specially designed testing facility.
This research provides crucial insights into how various insulation retrofitting approaches can reduce heat loss and prevent surface condensation and mould growth. The findings highlight the impact of fabric improvements on heating system efficiency, resulting in enhanced energy savings and comfort.
The DEEP project is one of the UK’s largest research initiatives on the retrofit of solid wall homes, conducted in collaboration with the Leeds Sustainability Institute at Leeds Beckett University and Loughborough University. The results of this study will be valuable for homeowners, policymakers, and the wider construction industry as the UK works toward its net-zero carbon targets. For more information, visit our research repository.
Energy House Labs and NEA Highlight Costs of Maintaining Safe Winter Temperatures
Energy House Labs in collaboration with National Energy Action (NEA), has released new findings on the additional cost of keeping homes at a safe and comfortable temperature during winter.
Through joint research conducted in our full-sized test house in Energy House 1, it was found that heating a home to 18°C—considered a safe and comfortable temperature—costs an extra 66p per day compared to maintaining a lower 16°C. This insight is particularly relevant as energy prices continue to rise, adding financial strain on households across the UK.
With 6.1 million UK households expected to fall into fuel poverty by January 2024, as reported by NEA, the ability to afford essential heating is increasingly out of reach for many. The findings highlight the significant challenge of ensuring homes are warm enough to prevent cold-related health issues, especially for vulnerable individuals and families.
These results reinforce the importance of improving home energy efficiency to reduce heating costs and alleviate the financial pressures of winter. Energy House Labs remains committed to advancing research that supports affordable, efficient heating solutions for all households.
Find more information on the findings on the NEA website.
Grant Henshaw Leads Innovative Research and Shares Insights on Sustainability
We are proud to highlight the latest achievements of our own Grant Henshaw, who has made significant contributions to both academic research and industry discussions on sustainability.
As lead author, Grant recently published a journal paper in Energy and Buildings titled “Experimental and Computational Assessment of an Energy-Saving Innovation in a Customised Testing Cabin.”
The paper, co-authored with ManchesterCFD and Thermocill™ Limited, explores a cutting-edge energy-saving innovation tested in a specially designed testing cabin. The research provides valuable insights into energy efficiency and building performance, contributing to the ongoing efforts to improve sustainability within the built environment.
In addition to his research work, Grant also made his debut as a podcast guest, discussing sustainability in the construction industry. The podcast, part of The University of Salford’s COP29 TalkingCOP series, features Grant alongside Jamie Bursnell from Bellway Homes. Their conversation delves into the challenges and opportunities of integrating sustainability practices within the construction sector. The COP29 podcast, part of the University of Salford’s TalkingCOP series, is available on Youtube.
As an additional highlight, Grant also gave a talk at the Institute of Physics headquarters on November 13th, 2024. His presentation focused on energy efficiency, where he shared key findings from Energy House Labs. The talk provided valuable insights into the latest developments in energy-saving technologies.
Energy House Labs Featured on ITV’s Tonight Show Discussing Heating Costs and Energy Savings
A few weeks ago, ITV visited Energy House Labs to speak with Professor Richard Fitton about the rising costs of heating homes. With the announcement of the price cap increase, this discussion couldn’t have come at a more crucial time. The interview aired on ITV’s Tonight show, where key topics such as energy savings, Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs), and Infrared heating were explored.
During the segment, Professor Fitton provided valuable insights into the current challenges faced by homeowners in maintaining affordable warmth. He also highlighted findings from Energy House Labs’ latest research, which focuses on how various heating systems, such as ASHPs and Infrared heating, can play a vital role in reducing energy consumption and improving efficiency in homes.
For those interested in the details of the research discussed in the episode, the full report is titled ‘Energy House 2.0 Study on Future Homes Standard Heating Systems’
The episode (Series 26 episode 33) aired on 21 November 2024 and is available to watch directly on ITVX with an ITVX account.
Energy House Labs continues to lead the conversation on energy efficiency and the future of home heating, providing vital data to help shape the future of sustainable living.
Energy House 2.0 Public Tours – February 2025
Interested in seeing inside our state-of-the-art facility? Energy House 2.0 will open its doors for public tours from Tuesday 11 February 2025 to Thursday 13 February 2025. These 30-minute tours will offer a unique opportunity to explore the facility and learn about its role in advancing low-carbon technologies for the building industry.
During the tours, visitors will get a firsthand look at how Energy House 2.0 is helping the construction sector reduce carbon emissions and work towards a net-zero future.
Bookings are limited, so be sure to act fast! To secure your spot, visit the booking page for available timeslots and further details.