On January 26 and 27, 2011 the University of Salford will hold what it says is the UK's first conference on the challenge of how to sustainably retrofit existing housing stock which will also feature the unveiling of the world's first Energy House.
The conference, sponsored by construction and fit-out specialists ISG, will see delegates drawn from across industry, the public sector and academia. They will be sharing insights on sustainability challenges and the government's policies to meet them.
Its timeliness is highlighted by the Government's announcement of legislation to be put before parliament in December to help bring private rented housing up to energy-efficiency levels of the owner-occupier sector. Under its 'green deal,' the government wants to enable homeowners to make their house or flat energy-efficient, by installing insulation and draught-proof doors and windows with no immediate payments.
The world's first Energy House was announced earlier this to year and it will be unveiled at the conference. It is a full-size traditional Coronation Street-style terraced house built in a laboratory to study domestic energy consumption.
The conference itself will be a business-focused event discussing issues with and associated with Retrofit, and what can be done to improve products and the take-up of new technologies. Delegates will include technology providers, construction companies, installation companies, housing organisations and social landlords, local councils and local government and policy makers.
The Energy House and conference is a response to the sustainability challenge presented by the UK's ageing housing stock.
Places at the conference are free, but delegate numbers are limited.
For more details of the conference or to register your interest contact Steve Waterworth, Energy Hub Manager s.d.waterworth@salford.ac.uk
More details about the Energy Hub project can be found at www.energy.salford.ac.uk