University to assess glazings impact on energy bills

The University of Ulster is taking part in an investigation into advanced glazing and heating pumps which it is hoped will enable homeowners to reduce their carbon footprints and energy bills.

In all, six universities are involved in the £2 million project, which is entitled Consumer Appealing Low Energy Technologies for Building Retrofitting (Calebre) and being led by Professor Dennis Loveday at Loughborough University.

Supported by E.On and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, the investigation will assess the impact of heating pumps and advanced glazing on the home.

"We will be examining how heating pumps and advanced glazing could improve the efficiency of the domestic heating system and could reduce heat loss from the building," explained Professor Neil Hewitt, director of the Centre for Sustainable Technologies at Ulster.

"We will also be looking at the impacts on thermal comfort, running costs and householder satisfaction."

As well as being used to insulate the home, glazing is also a popular way of providing shelter from inclement weather.

Glazed canopies, for instance, can afford protection to drivers making their way from their house to their car during rainfall.