As we build momentum towards Futurebuild 2026, we’re pleased to share a new podcast episode featuring our Professor William Swan, reflecting on the journey of Energy House Labs and the role research plays in supporting the UK’s transition to net zero.
In Episode 34 of the Futurebuild Podcast, Professor Swan joins host Martin Hurn to discuss the origins of Energy House Labs, key lessons learned along the way, and how facilities like Energy House 2.0 are helping the built environment industry move beyond theory to understand what really works in practice.
Recorded inside one of Europe’s most advanced climate-controlled testing facilities, the episode explores how homes perform when pushed to their limits, and why meeting compliance standards does not always equate to real-world performance. The discussion also covers where heat pumps are most effective, when alternatives are needed, how better data could transform retrofit and fuel poverty strategies, and what truly defines a “healthy home” beyond EPC ratings.
“If you don’t know whether something works, why would you roll it out at scale?”
— Professor William Swan
You can also hear more about Energy House 2.0 during a CPD-accredited panel discussion on the Futurebuild Energy Stage on Thursday 14 May. Visitors are encouraged to stop by the University of Salford and Energy Innovation Agency stand (H59) to meet the team and continue the conversation.
🎧 Listen to Episode 34 of the Futurebuild Podcast
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