University of Salford

The University of Salford’s strategy, Innovating to Enrich Lives, has four themes, focused on building prosperity, sustainability, creativity and healthy living.

All are impacted by the climate emergency, which is simultaneously global and close to home, with buildings accounting for 17% of all emissions. At the same time, rocketing energy prices have pushed millions into fuel poverty.

Low carbon, energy-efficient homes that are warm, well-insulated and easy for the user to control are essential to addressing climate change and tackling fuel poverty.

Historically, it has taken months or years to collect the data needed to evaluate the performance of a new energy-efficient design, but the University’s unique Energy House Labs allow researchers to precisely control the environment and gather this data in weeks.

The Lab’s research is shaping a quarter of all new homes being built today, accelerating progress towards net zero housing design and informing the retrofit of existing stock. Salford has collaborated with over 220 businesses, enabling them to test energy-saving products, and its guidance on changing the settings on combination boilers has helped approximately 5.2 million households to save money on energy bills.

Through the University’s philanthropic arm, they have developed a community of businesses and individuals working together to extend the expertise of Energy House Labs into the community.

Salford communicates findings in different ways, through art, media, technology and learning, to bridge the gap between cutting-edge research on campus and the day-to-day challenges faced within households across the UK.

The University is translating its studies into solutions that benefit society and working closely with policymakers to influence positive change. Salford’s ambitions are only growing and the team stays motivated by the real lives they’re changing, both now and for future generations to come.