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

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham visited the University of Salford’s world-leading Energy House 2.0 to highlight how the city region is leading the UK’s retrofit revolution – and see how infra-red heating could help decarbonise homes that can’t use heat pumps.

Energy House 2.0 is one of the largest purpose-built building performance test laboratories in the world, built in 2023 with £16 million of government and industry investment.

It enables whole homes to be tested in lab conditions that mimic global climates – from deep winter to summer heatwaves.

Inside the research facility, created by Energy House Labs, are two new-build detached houses built by Bellway Homes and Barratt Developments which under controlled conditions, recreate a wide variety of weather conditions with temperatures ranging between -23˚C to +51.5˚C and simulated wind, rain, snow and solar radiation.

Energy House 2.0 has recently announced its move into retrofit with the creation of a new Centre for Retrofit at the facility which will allow researchers to test whole-home decarbonisation retrofit solutions – from heating and insulation to ventilation – under controlled real-world conditions. They will be building a 1930s style house to test low carbon retrofitting solutions.

Mayor Burnham toured the facility and Bellway Homes’ Future Home and met with researchers 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 in the 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.

Ambion use infrared heating panels combined with a dynamic pulsing control system that heat the walls of a home to create a heat battery.

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

Ambion’s system is being used in 2,000 homes across the country for social housing associations and local authorities including Halton Homes, Wolverhampton City Council, Wolverhampton Homes, Fife Council, Merthyr Tydfil Housing Association, Linc Cymru Social Housing and Yorkshire Housing.

Following the successful trial in the Bellway’s Future Home, Ambion, who are based in Wakefield, expects to be undertaking further trials in the Salford facility 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 with Energy House 2.0 and Salford University is world-class – bringing together science, housing and clean tech to deliver greener, warmer homes.

“Too many residents in our city region are faced with a choice between unaffordable energy bills, and the health implications of living in cold and damp homes.

“But technologies tested and trialled right here in Salford prove that we can decarbonise even the hardest-to-treat houses and public buildings, helping us lower energy bills, cut emissions, and meet our target of being net zero by 2038 – 12 years ahead of the national target.”

Greater Manchester is among the UK’s most advanced regions in retrofit delivery – with large-scale schemes already under way and further devolution sought to accelerate progress. The proposed Centre for Retrofit will further cement its role as a leader in real-world research, policy, and implementation.

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: “It was great to meet Andy to show him the benefits of our pioneering infra-red heating system. 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 Home 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.”

Ambion Heating has also engaged with DESNZ and Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh, who also had a tour of Energy House 2.0, receiving strong support for its scalable low carbon heating solution.