Model house set to provide insight into cheap energy efficiency - 27/08/2010
Scientists have unveiled plans to use a model house to devise ways in which to help consumers save money from their energy suppliers.
Construction has begun on the terrace-style "energy house", which will allow scientists at the University of Salford to measure the effectiveness of a wide range of energy-saving technologies.
The house will be built inside a three-storey laboratory, which will allow a team of researchers to control light, heat and humidity levels.
Reclaimed building materials including timbers, roof tiles and more than 20,000 bricks from recently demolished terraced homes in the local area will be used to construct the pre-1920s replica house.
The University of Salford's Energy Hum team hopes that the project, which is scheduled to begin experiments in December, will reveal the most effective ways of reducing energy consumption.
Stephen Waterworth, manager of the Energy Hub, told the BBC: "What we are trying to do is tackle fuel poverty and improve energy efficiency, not only from a technological point of view but from a behavioural perspective too."
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