reduced heat pump operating costs for homeowners to just £1.84 per day, as suggested by the study

The University of Salford's Energy House 2.0 project, funded by the UKRI's Greater Manchester Innovation Accelerator Programme, has unveiled groundbreaking findings that could significantly reduce carbon emissions in home heating. Last year, these research findings were reported on by Homebuilding & Renovating.

The unique facilities at Salford University played a crucial role in delivering these results, as without them, it would take years to achieve similar findings. The experimental homes tested were Bellway's "Future Home" and Saint-Gobain's "eHome2," both of which performed well. The study evaluated 14 heating systems, including air source heat pumps, infrared panels, underfloor heating, and Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR).

The research found air source heat pumps to be highly efficient, capable of heating homes for less than £1.84 per day under typical winter conditions. This discovery is particularly significant as it demonstrates the feasibility of meeting the Future Homes Standard, which targets a 75% reduction in carbon emissions for new builds compared to 2013 regulations.

The "eHome2" by Saint-Gobain was designed to test next-generation heating, ventilation technologies, and smart systems, using innovative materials like lightweight off-site construction, weberwall brick, and Pasquill Posi-JoistTM flooring. The "Future Home" by Bellway incorporated two air source heat pumps, underfloor heating, and MVHR, along with enhanced insulation. Both tested homes performed well, with a performance gap of just 8% between predicted and actual outcomes, significantly better than the industry average.

However, the study also highlighted a need for a behavioural shift in how we use heat pumps, as electrified systems work best when used continuously. This suggests that homeowners may need to reconsider their traditional on-and-off approach to heating.

The results of this study provide a blueprint for future homes as gas boilers are phased out from 2025 in new builds and 2035 in existing homes. The Energy House 2.0 project at the University of Salford is the most extensive study on electric heating systems under controlled conditions in the UK, and its findings will be invaluable in reducing the carbon emitted in heating our homes as the UK transitions to net zero housing.

reduced heat pump operating costs for homeowners to just £1.84 per day, as suggested by the study