Lancaster named North West's 'haunted house' capital

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 22 Oct, 07:02 · Archive

Lancaster has been named the North West's 'haunted house' capital, based on household features that can create paranormal illusions rather than actual ghosts.

Lancaster has been named the North West's 'haunted house' capital by engineering specialists at Ailsa, based on their Haunted Home Risk Index. The index ranks homes by features that can create the illusion of paranormal activity rather than actual ghost sightings. The assessment is based on four key factors: properties built before 1930, EPC ratings of E to G, poor wall energy efficiency, and poor heating energy efficiency. Lancaster topped the list with a score of 68.6 out of 100, followed by Liverpool with 48.9 and Preston with 48.7.

Jamie Burns, an engineering expert at Ailsa, explained that the technology used in ghost hunting and engineering investigation is comparable. 'Ghost hunters are often shown using things like thermal imaging and ultrasound equipment to search for unusual sounds, heat signatures or other unexplained activity,' he said. 'We use similar principles in our everyday work, except rather than looking for ghosts, we're looking for problems.'

Mr Burns outlined seven 'haunted house' symptoms that are usually signs of ordinary household issues. Hearing unexplained footsteps could be down to vibrations from heating systems, appliances, or nearby traffic, which can travel through floorboards and pipework and create the impression that someone is walking across a room.

How it is being reported

• Lancaster named North West's 'haunted house' capital but ghosts aren't to blameLancaster has been named the North West’s 'haunted house' capital.NW Evening Mail · 22 Oct, 06:00
• Lancaster named North West's 'haunted house' capital but ghosts aren't to blameLancaster has been named the North West’s 'haunted house' capital.Westmorland Gazette · 22 Oct, 06:00

In this story: Lancaster · Liverpool · Preston · Ailsa · Jamie Burns

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