Specially designed low-energy buildings in Salford have remained 50 per cent more efficient than the average British building, even years after they have been built.

Such is their efficiency that researchers from the University of Salford have urged local councillors to build more similar houses, in order to improve the environment and lessen the costs of household bills.

Image source via University of Salford

Energy efficient housing

The houses, which utilised special internal wall cladding to control temperatures, were bulldozed three years ago despite protests from many green campaigners.

The houses rely on an internal concrete structure that holds in heat to create a “tea-cosy” effect.

Dr Phillip Brown, who was part of the University of Salford’s research team, argued that the authority would benefit from creating more buildings with a similar design.

Image source via University of Salford

Savings on energy costs

Speaking to The Daily Mail, he said: “With many house builders currently worried that new homes are going to be much more expensive to build in order to meet the government’s ambitious targets, the Salford model shows that this needs not be the case.

“The Salford House costs just seven per cent more to construct than identical neighbouring properties and yet saves 50 per cent on energy costs every year.”

Sustainable building regulations

The Leigh Reporter estimated that the houses designed by University of Salford researchers use less than two-thirds of the energy of homes built to meet 2010 building regulations, and will still be 25 per cent-more efficient than houses built to reach stricter regulations due in 2013.