Scientists are testing the efficiency of different heating systems for housing with a new science experiment.
Despite the icy conditions, the two energy-efficient homes remain cosy and warm due to their use of cutting-edge heating and insulation technology. Rain, wind, sunshine and snow can be recreated in temperatures ranging from 40 degrees Celsius to -20°C, operated from a control centre."What we've tried to achieve here is to be able to replicate the weather conditions that would be experienced around 95% of the populated Earth," Professor Will Swan, head of energy house laboratories at the university, told AFP.
Other builders will then be able to rent space in the lab to put their own properties under the spotlight.The project's first house was built by UK property firm Barratt Developments and French materials giant Saint-Gobain. In the living room, a hot-water circuit is located along the bottom of the walls, while further heat is provided via infra-red technology in the moulding and from a wall panel.Residents will be able to manage the technology via one single control system similar to Amazon's voice-activated Alexa interface.
Environmental campaigners have long called on the UK government to increase energy efficiency and insulation support for existing homes across Britain.An overview of the challenges and opportunities of the climate crisis, as it changes the world we know."One of the key technologies that we're trying on this house is almost like a building management system for residential buildings," said Tom Cox, UK technical director at Saint-Gobain.