Mayor champions Greater Manchester’s “Retrofit Revolution” and infra-red heating at Energy House 2.0

During the visit the Mayor discussed the new proposed Centre for Retrofit which will allow researchers to test whole-home decarbonisation retrofit solutions - from heating and insulation to ventilation - under controlled real-world conditions.

Mayor Burnham toured the facility alongside Vice-Chancellor Professor Nic Beech, Director of Energy House Labs Professor Will Swan and industry partners to explore how Greater Manchester’s £100 million+ retrofit programmes can be scaled up to cut energy bills, reduce carbon emissions and improve health outcomes for residents across the city-region.

One of the key innovations being trialled at Energy House 2.0’s Bellway Homes’ Future Home has been Ambion Heating’s infrared panel and dynamic control system - a direct electric solution ideal for homes where heat pumps may not be feasible such as flats or maisonettes. Almost half of all social homes may not be able to install heat pumps.

A study by Bellway Homes of the Ambion system in the Future House found: “The test results suggest that the Ambion system would be an ideal solution for flats and maisonettes.”

Following the successful trial in the Bellway House, Ambion expects to be undertaking further trials at EH 2.0 in the coming months.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “Greater Manchester is proud to be leading the UK’s retrofit revolution. What we’re doing here at Energy House 2.0 is world-class - bringing together science, housing and clean tech to deliver greener, warmer homes.

“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. This is the kind of innovation the country needs to hit Net Zero, lift people out of fuel poverty and ensure no-one is left behind in benefiting from low-carbon energy.

“The new Centre for Retrofit will strengthen Greater Manchester’s position at the forefront of the green economy and support the kind of innovation and skills development we need across our city-region to help us meet our city region target of being Net Zero by 2038.”

Professor Will Swan, Director of Energy House Labs, added: “Retrofitting isn’t a side issue - it’s central to the UK’s climate, cost-of-living and housing challenges. The work we’re doing here, alongside the Mayor and partners, is helping shape a more sustainable future for the whole country.

“The new Centre for Retrofit will give us the ability to evaluate whole-home solutions in a way that’s never been done before and provide vital real data to householders, industry, policymakers to show what works.”

Oliver Baker, CEO of Ambion Heating, said: “Our mission is to help decarbonise flats, maisonettes and small terraced social housing and ensure everyone benefits from the transition to low-carbon, lower-cost heating. Being part of Energy House 2.0 in Bellway Homes’ Future House has allowed us to rigorously test our infrared system in a world-class setting.

“We’re proud to be contributing to Greater Manchester’s retrofit revolution and believe Ambion Heating can play a major role in scaling practical, affordable solutions for properties that aren’t suitable for heat pumps. With successful trials now behind us, we’re working with more housing associations and councils to roll the system out where it’s needed most.”

Jamie Bursnell, Head of Technical and Innovations at Bellway Homes, said: “Working with Energy House 2.0 has helped Bellway understand how our homes can perform better in extreme conditions. It’s an essential part of delivering homes that are not only sustainable but comfortable and affordable for future residents.”