Manchester Eco house

 The Manchester Eco house was developed in 2005 as an educational

demonstration facility to provide a unique resource for homeowners,
developers, social housing providers, private landlords, groups and schools
to visit and learn about energy efficiency and the effects CO2 has on the
environment.

The two 1900’s terraced properties situated in Miles Platting, Manchester
utilised for the project, had stood empty and were uninhabitable due to
being in a poor state of disrepair. However the properties represented
typical examples of private housing stock in Manchester.  The pre 1930’s
terraced properties were classed as ‘hard to heat’ due to the type of wall
construction, and therefore presented the opportunity to tackle a
worst-case scenario in which we could trial a variety of solid wall
insulation products; alongside the more mainstream cavity wall insulation.

The Eco house also demonstrates
   High-energy efficient central heating systems.
   Photovoltaic and solar gain renewable energy products.
   Insulation and energy saving materials.
   Sound insulation.
   Natural light from sun pipes.
   Display boards and information material.
   Interactive displays.
   Building materials and products that are necessary to obtain an ECO
   Homes ‘Very good’ to ‘Excellent’ rating.
   Energy saving appliances and controls.
   Grants and discount schemes available for energy efficient measures.
   Demonstration and education of recycling and composting of household
   waste.

The refurbishment incorporated the BRE’s (Building Research Establishment)
Eco Homes criteria, this is an environmental rating scheme for homes
allowing an assessment and rating on completion against their set criteria.