How a Passivhaus can keep you warm and snug over Christmas

Christmas is approaching, the nights are drawing in and the weather is getting colder. This can often be an expensive time of year as the house gets colder and the heating needs to come on more and more to compensate. The good news is, there is a way to greatly reduce your heating needs (and hence, energy bills) in the winter months, called Passivhaus.

Passivhaus is often considered the Gold Standard of comfortable, energy efficient living. This is because nearly all aspects of a Passivhaus build are designed to maximise heat retention:

High-quality thermal insulation: Continuous ‘super insulation’ ensures that the home is well-insulated from the floor, to the walls and the roof. Cold bridges (areas of high thermal conductivity allowing heat transfer to the outside) are completely eliminated, keeping the heat locked in and the cold air from outside out.

Airtightness: Airtightness is an essential part of Passivhaus builds. The Passivhaus requirement for airtightness is incredibly stringent, at no more than 0.6 air changes per hour. A high airtightness value further reduces heat loss as cold air cannot leak into your home from the outside, and the warm air does not escape as quickly, therefore you are not continually reheating the air in your home.

Windows and Doors: Homes can lose up to 10% of their heat through conventional windows. Passivhaus certified windows are triple-glazed, with Argon gas between the panes to prevent heat loss via radiation through the glazing. They have an airtight seal around them to stop air leakage around the frame. Finally, they are carefully designed to ensure that all thermal bridges are eliminated, removing the risk of losing heat through cold bridges.

Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery unit (MVHR): The lynchpin of every Passivhaus build, this is what makes Passivhaus work. Given that the airtightness of a Passive property is so good, the MVHR unit is necessary to provide a constant stream of fresh air into the property, while removing the stale air from the house at the same time. The Heat Recovery part transfers most of the warmth of the outgoing air into the incoming fresh air, keeping the house at a constant comfortable temperature throughout, come rain or shine (or snow)!

In these ways, Passivhaus proves to be the best, eco-friendly way to keep your home comfortable and warm throughout the winter months, even without the necessity of a traditional central heating system (although at least one radiator recommended for especially cold weather!). Some of our Passivhaus clients are even donating their winter fuel payments to charity, as their heating bills are so low!

The fabric-first approach of Passivhaus means you can have an energy efficient, home that stays a comfortable, constant temperature all year around without costing the Earth. If a self-build is one of your goals for 2020, then it is definitely worth considering how Passivhaus could enhance your comfort and reduce your energy bills and carbon footprint.

Braemar Case Study

“It is very comfortable, and always a nice temperature throughout the house – I am enjoying the warmth during the Winter months.” – Neil Caple

Interview with the client – Neil Caple

Why did you choose to build your own home?

When the time came for my wife and I to move house, we had seen television shows about self-building and thought, why buy someone else’s house when we could build our own? So we decided to build our own home.

What led you to selecting Passivhaus as a construction method?

Again it was when we were watching television shows that we found out about Passivhaus, and when it was time to start planning our build, it made sense to build our new home as energy efficient as possible. As this is our retirement home, we thought we would invest a little bit more to build a Passivhaus that could keep costs down, rather than building with a cheaper system but then spending more on running and maintaining it.

How did you find the building process?

Generally the build process went very well. Any problems that arose were dealt with very quickly and professionally and overall it ran smoothly.

How did you find working with Stewart and Shields (Beattie Passive Flying Factory Partner)?

My relationship with Stewart and Shields was very good, they are incredibly competent and very good at what they do. They got on with my architect and they worked well together. In addition, they were always responsive to my needs throughout the project. I would recommend them to other self-builders.

What do you like best about your new home?

It is very comfortable, and always a nice temperature throughout the house – I am enjoying the warmth during the winter months. In extremely hot weather during the summer, it can get a bit hot but this is easily fixed just by opening a couple of windows.

Have you noticed any of the benefits of Passivhaus whilst you’ve been living in your new home?

Yes definitely. As I said it is always a comfortable temperature throughout the house as it regulates itself. It also feels quite light and airy due to my MVHR constantly providing fresh air throughout the property. I also sometimes get passers-by looking at my house with admiration, which is quite nice!

 

Graven Hill Coach House Case Study

“The new triple-glazed windows are excellent for noise cancellation – I shut my windows and I can’t hear anything from outside, even with builders all around the house!”

Interview with the client Erlind Hoxha

What made you choose Graven Hill?

I was initially attracted to Graven Hill because the proximity of the train station nearby made it a very convenient location for me.

What attracted you to the Coach House design?

I loved the modern design and the contemporary aesthetic – its the building style of the future! It was much more interesting to me than the boring, old-fashioned red brick houses. It was also way under budget for me, and I really feel like it was a fantastic offer for the price.

What do you like best about your new home?

The MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery) system, I like it a lot. I really appreciate the cleaner air! I also love how energy efficient the house is as this was an important factor for me. Its much  bigger than I thought as well; its a one-bedroom house but I could very easily turn the office into a second bedroom if I ever need it.

Did you know anything about Passivhaus prior to enquiring about the Coach House?

I’d heard about eco-houses and things like that before but I have to be honest I didn’t know that much about Passivhaus or the Beattie Passive system. However after doing my research, I was very impressed with how energy efficient a Passivhaus is, and so become more interested in owning a Passivhaus home.

Have you noticed any of the benefits of Passivhaus during the short while you have been in your new home?

The bills! I’ve not been here for long, but already I’ve noticed a significant reduction in my gas bill. The new triple-glazed windows are excellent for noise cancellation – I shut my windows and I can’t hear anything from outside, even with builders all around the house! I’ve also noticed that, with the MVHR, bad smells from cooking and condensation in the bathroom are removed so quickly and these are never a problem anymore.

Any additional benefits you have experienced?

At some point in the future, I would like to build an extension onto my home. That’s why the Beattie Passive system is so good – I know the house was built in a way to make future work like this easy to accommodate.

“I love the modern design and the contemporary aesthetic – its the building style of the future! I really feel like it was a fantastic offer for the price.”

 

Ways to keep your self-build budget on track

With every self build project there is the temptation to over-spend. After all, you usually only get one chance to build your dream home, so where’s the harm in a little bit extra here and there? Well, here are some of our top tips to rein you back in!

Decide on your budget beforehand and build to it – the most important first step is to decide how much you want to spend on your build. Setting a realistic budget will help you plan your spending and manage your money throughout the process.

Review the budget at each stage – as the project progresses, you may find that spending priorities change, so it is important to regularly review and potentially rework your budget to ensure that it continues to stay on track.

Keep cost savings aside – if you find that you have underspent on a particular element it can be a nice surprise. As you’ve already budgeted this money away, it’s tempting to use the extra cash to treat yourself. However, prices can fluctuate unexpectedly, mistakes in the building can happen, so putting those savings aside can help against any unexpected costs.

Always add a contingency for emergencies – there is always something that doesn’t quite go to plan and if you find yourself unprepared, it could end up costing you a whole lot more. So we strongly recommend to reserve at least 5-10% of your budget as contingency. Being prepared for the worst will help to ensure you don’t end up too far out of pocket.

Get quotes and solid costs before committing – a quote is an agreed, fixed price for a particular project and is legally binding. Therefore, getting quotes in advance will fix the price of the materials or projects being undertaken, thereby giving you a better idea of the exact costs before you start. Shop around and get quotes from several different suppliers and contractors to make sure you are getting the best value for your money.

Never be afraid to go back to the drawing board – if anything is starting to get out of hand cost-wise, don’t be afraid to go back to the drawing board to rework or redesign as often there is a cheaper, more effective solution that can be found.

Watch out for hidden extras – there can be many in construction, e.g. utility connections, landscaping, insurance etc. Getting the correct investigations done early will help you minimise additional costs and where costs are unavoidable, ensure these are fixed and agreed in writing, to avoid any unwelcome surprises.

Avoid the sunk costs – a cost that has already been incurred cannot be recovered and doing proper research beforehand will help you avoid these. For example, tools might be cheaper to buy and then sell on later when you no longer need them.

Whatever your budget size a project is likely to throw up some curveballs so being prepared for every eventuality will help ease the process and give you the desired end result: the dream home you’ve always wanted.

Find our other articles on the EDP Self-Build Column.

Healthy Living with Passivhaus

When planning a self build project, it is easy to focus on the style and layout ideas that drive our desire to create our own bespoke homes. But when it comes to our own health, this may not be a natural priority, or even part of the initial thought process. However it should be a key part of the decision as Passivhaus living offers so much.

For the vast majority, designing and building their dream home is a long term lifestyle change, thereby creating the opportunity to live in the ‘perfect’ environment for as long as possible. The main change to this status quo is usually health related hence many self builders plan for the future by incorporating practical elements such as single storey living. But there are other ways to help keep healthy whilst in your home, thereby enjoying it for longer, and this is a fundamental part of Passivhaus and why it offers so many additional benefits than simply a high performance, energy efficient construction method.

So how does Passivhaus help improve your health? Not only will Passivhaus reduce your overall energy demand through increased insulation and high levels of air-tightness, it offers a consistently warm, clean and comfortable indoor air environment, reducing respiratory issues, impacts of cold home syndrome and even the effect of radon.

As the solution to the ventilation needs of energy efficient buildings, installing a Mechanical Heat Recovery Ventilation system works quite simply by extracting the air from the polluted sources e.g. kitchen and bathroom and supplying fresh air back to the ‘living’ areas e.g. bedrooms and reception rooms, all through a central heat exchanger.

Living with fresh, filtered air aids health related illness such as asthma and protects against pollutants such as mould, CO2, smoke, humidity and hay fever, as well as also reducing the overall level of dust in the house. Respiratory health concerns have long been associated with inappropriate building design with an estimated 29,000 people a year dying in the UK due to air pollution and around 1 in 18 dwellings in England have significant damp and mould issues, so it’s evident that things need to change.

It may be little known, but another health related issue to factor into any new self build is Radon. A naturally occurring radioactive gas present to some extent, in all rocks underground foundations, which with prolonged exposure to high levels, can cause lung cancer. Each year approximately 1,100 deaths in the UK are linked to radon exposure in the home, which is why at Beattie Passive we go the extra mile to protect against the effects of radon exposure, regardless of how small the level, with the inclusion of a protective radon membrane as standard in all our homes.

When it comes to designing your dream self build, we passionately believe that a building should offer its occupants more than just a “roof over their heads”; it should protect you from external influences which may adversely affect your well-being and actively promote good health.

Read this blog on the EDP website.

Waxham, Norfolk Holiday Home

“Beattie Passive combined new ways of working with traditional values of good
workmanship”

The 130m² single storey 4 bedroom home is based in a secluded seaside location off a private track in the idyllic Norfolk countryside.

1. What led you to choose Passivhaus as the construction method?

For us the question became not why would we build to the Passivhaus method but more ‘why wouldn’t we?’ As we looked at the costs, there wasn’t really much difference between a more traditional method of construction and Beattie Passive’s. At the start of
the project we imagined a fairly well insulated house, coupled with something like a heat pump, but then it occurred to us that systems like heat pumps, while interesting, are aimed at fixing an issue i.e. heating the house, that doesn’t really need to exist in the first
place. We concluded that the investment should be in the super-insulated fabric and not questionable eco-gadgets, such as heat pumps, or long term costs like fuel. The other important aspect was keeping the architect’s original design and the Beattie Passive
system doesn’t dictate the design – it fits in with yours. 

“The air tightness result was really impressive although not unexpected given the rigorous approach applied by Beattie Passive”

2. How and why did you approach Beattie Passive?

Beattie Passive was recommended by Mole Architects as they had worked with them on
a project previously. Although a first hand recommendation is valuable we still wanted to know more about the company. We found the company to be really open. In the first instance we visited the offices in Hethel and met the team. While the house was being fabricated, I went to the production facility and met the team there. While this isn’t a ‘hands-on’ build I was keen to see the process in action and to meet the people involved. I appreciated the open approach and it was re-assuring to meet the team.

The family outside the completed structural thermal envelope, ready to be finished.

3. What has been the most interesting aspect of having both a Passivhaus and the system from Beattie Passive?

We think the most interesting element is to see the gulf between a traditional build and what is a more modern approach. Now it almost seems quaint that you would want to built a ‘traditional’ house with bricks and mortar, especially knowing that the end result is going to be way behind a Passivhaus in terms of running costs but more importantly in
terms of comfort. The Beattie Passive approach, with the emphasis on air tightness, super insulation and the elimination of thermal bridges, is really the way forward. It is also better to have as much done in the factory as possible because the time on site is
kept to a minimum and the level of quality can be far better controlled.

4. What has been the best/most surprising aspect of the build?

Perhaps the most surprising aspect was to see how quickly the structure went up. It was very quick once the groundworks were done. The other surprising thing is, if it is so easy and cost effective to build houses that essentially don’t require heating why isn’t it mandatory? Given the emphasis on complex and expensive solutions to climate change, why are obvious ones like this not given more prominence?

5. Have there been any downsides to the project?

The only downsides are quite minor. Because the fabric has to be kept airtight there are elements like a stove where you have to put in pipes very early and this has involved a fair bit of coordination. Of course you don’t actually need a stove to heat the house but
we wanted one to give the house a cosy feel.

6. How has the process been on site?

The process on site has been very smooth. Beattie Passive provide a single point of contact, in our case Benedict, the Project Manager. This made the process very straightforward because we could go to Benedict with any questions or concerns. On site there was a site foreman, Steve, who led a small team. On site visits Steve was always available to talk us through what had been happening. We felt that Beattie Passive combined new ways of working with traditional values of good workmanship and actually caring about what they were doing.

7. Which aspects are you looking forward to most once the build is completed, due to it being a Passivhaus?

We are looking forward to the low running costs. We anticipate that it will be an extremely comfortable house to live in.

8. Air tightness result

The air tightness result was really impressive although not unexpected given the rigorous approach applied by Beattie Passive. If the house was built to current Building Regulations standards then the house would be leaking around 20 times more air. That says a lot about this type of construction method but also the current Building Regulations!

Technical Specifications:

Wall U-Value: 0.11 W/m²k

Roof U-Value: 0.11 W/m²k

Ground Floor: 0.11 W/m²k

Air Tightness: 0.309 m³/h/m²@50pa, 0.52 ach, n₅₀

The Toolshed Case Study

Beattie Passive are passionate about skills development and training

Training and skills development is central to the delivery of Beattie Passive. The system has been designed so that it is very simple and can be built with semi-skilled labour. Local labour can be sourced and trained locally, which results in both social and economic benefits for the local community.

Working with The Toolshed

The Toolshed is part of a social enterprise education provision managed by The New Meaning Foundation, part of a not-for-profit organisation. The Toolshed teaches and encourages young people to learn new skills and help them develop confidence, self-belief and to gain life skills.

Beattie Passive has provided training for 5 young people at their Training Academy in Norfolk on a workshopbased training course to learn how to manufacture and construct the timber frame structure to the exacting standard of the Beattie Passive build system.

Following on from the workshop based training, the trainees developed their skills on-site though erecting units at the Graven Hill Custom Build project in Oxfordshire.

This has provided them with the skills and knowledge to erect their own Beattie Passive homes for their clients. From early 2019 The Toolshed will be manufacturing and erecting homes for the Vale of Aylesbury Housing Trust.

Q+A with The Toolshed supervisor and two of the trainees

Andy (A): Supervisor, Dennis (D): Trainee, Mason (M): Trainee

What made you decide to get involved with training in construction?

A: I have been working in the Construction Industry for 28 years, so I was keen to volunteer to support the team and help the youngsters progress and develop new skills.

M: I was naughty at school and was the class clown. I went to college to do brick laying but I got bored quickly. I was then referred to The Toolshed due to my interest in chippy work and it all started from there.

Why did you choose the Beattie Passive system?

A: The college saw it as a fantastic opportunity to feed our students into a system with a growing business. Beattie Passive was selected for its innovative build system and incredible potential in the construction market.

M: I was interested in this specific training as I saw it as a new opportunity and a new system that I could get involved in.

How did you find the training at the academy in Norfolk and the on-site training at Graven Hill?

A: The course gave a fascinating insight into how the system works and its importance of reducing heating costs. John (Beattie Passive Trainer) was a fantastic teacher and has a great work ethic of always striving to do it better. All the students enjoyed the training in Norfolk. The course was really informative and a fundamental part of the training. John also taught the students how to communicate with teams on a construction site, which is always a key skill.

D: John was excellent, he is a very good teacher, the training covered everything on the build system and key details. It was great to see the training through to completion at Graven Hill – a great sense of achievement.

M: The training manuals are really good, I always look back at them to refresh my memory.

How easy did you find the Beattie Passive system to build?

A: The team all found the system fairly easy to build despite their lack of previous experience. John took time to show us how and why the system works.

M: Before the training I would have struggled. I can now understand drawings, understand the principles of the system and have learnt a great deal about not just Beattie Passive but building in general.

Did you feel that you and the other trainees had the correct skills to be able to complete the course?

A: : I have been in construction industry for 28 years but there is always some fine tuning and new things to learn, especially when delivering Passivhaus.

D: I previously had very limited and basic joinery skills, but with the training and guidance I have received I can now build a Passive house – this feels like a great achievement. I am very proud of what I have learnt.

How do you think you will take what you have learned forward in the future?

A: By encouraging trainees to carry on what they are doing and develop their knowledge in the future.

D: I’d like to carry on building Beattie Passive houses and hopefully one day be able to train others to do so.

M: Build more Beattie Passive houses in the future.

Would you recommend this system to others?

A: Yes, the system is easy to follow, uses less tools and is a cleaner trade. I would highly recommend the training, which explains why the process works and crucially how to create an airtight structure.

D: Yes 100%, as I had no background in construction, I would say it’s been a great help and I now feel confident that I could build more Beattie Passive homes.

M: Definitely! The training made building so simple but to the highest standard. I couldn’t have done it without the training but now I’m really confident in what I am doing. If I can do it anyone can!

 

Ever wondered how you can future-proof your self-build home?

This week, Ron Beattie looks at how more and more self-builders are looking to the future when they build their home.

In 2017 a consumer survey of 500 self builders, who had either just completed or were about to complete their project, was conducted by Homebuilding & Renovating, which found that the average age of self builders had risen by 5 years over the past decade and now sat at 51, with the most common age group for self builders being between 55 and 64.

This is perhaps not a huge surprise given this age range usually has accumulated equity over time and would be in a good financial position to undertake a self build project with an expectation of spending around 20-30 years enjoying life in their dream home.

Considerations in design at this stage of life can centre around layout and aesthetics as well as using the latest technology and innovation to create bespoke energy efficient homes which are totally unique but it also begs the question of should a home at this stage of your life be future-proofed?

We have many clients who are looking to build their dream home, on the perfect plot with notions of staying there for as long as possible. So this inevitably leads to making conscious design decisions that will allow them to stay in the home, combining creative design with the necessary practicalities.

One such client has recently moved into her two storey Passivhaus and took future proofing very seriously as she has no intention of moving any time soon! The design stage was very thorough, working closely with her architect to incorporate stylish yet practical elements into the home, which would not look out of place in a striking new build. Key elements included the all important lift, as the house is primarily focused on upstairs living to take advantage of the fantastic views, so being able to access both floors very easily was paramount. Also, the living / dining / kitchen area is open plan allowing for plenty of space between each area, with doors wide enough for a wheelchair, should one ever become necessary. Furthermore, the downstairs accommodation includes a guest bedroom and bathroom which is perfect for visiting family and friends, yet could easily become self-contained for a live-in carer in later years.

The design options for future proofing run into the hundreds so there are many to choose from depending on your own circumstances, but incorporating a few key elements from the start of the design process will of course eliminate any major restructuring in later years should accessibility become an issue. This is the joy of designing your own home, every possible outcome can be considered and incorporated if required, and all adds to the ease of living long term in your dream home.

Read the blog on the EDP property website.

Ramsay Heights – Forever Home

Ramsey Heights – Forever Home

Project Description

A modern 135m² two bedroom future proof home ready for retired living. The downstairs bedroom, currently for guests, can convert to a carer’s accommodation in future. Upstairs is open plan with kitchen, living area and master en-suite bedroom, together with a balcony providing wonderful views of the Cambridgeshire countryside. A wheelchair lift has been installed ensuring that the owner will still be able to enjoy the views in future years.

Interview with Joan Morters

What has led you to selecting Passivhaus as a construction method?

I had always planned to Self Build. As a retired Head Teacher I knew I would remain
active and over the past few years I’ve also become more conscious of the environment
and living in a more eco-friendly way. I used to watch Grand Designs and saw how new
technology and design innovation could reduce the need for electricity and fossil fuels
whilst allowing for modern design and creativity, and this interested me hugely.

How and why did you approach Beattie Passive?

I attended an event at the National Self Build & Renovation Centre in Swindon back in June 2016 and met Ron Beattie at their stand. We talked through the Beattie Passive system and I was struck by how efficient it was and how their system made perfect sense when building an energy efficient home. I was also swayed by the fact that they are a British manufacturer as I am passionate about supporting the UK market!

How were the early stages of design and working with Beattie Passive?

This went really well and Beattie Passive actually introduced me to an architect they had worked with before so he was not only well versed in the Beattie Passive system but also passionate about Passivhaus living.

He had a great understanding of how I wanted to future-proof the house and we spent a lot of time discussing ideas to ensure the layout would work for me in the coming years.

Then the process of transforming the design into the Beattie Passive system to create the structural thermal envelope went smoothly as both teams had worked together in the past.

Future proofing – what elements did you consider during the design process?

This was always designed to be my forever home so I was keen to ensure that I could cope living here as I get older. So the key design criteria for me was accessibility and an easy layout. I have a downstairs bedroom which acts as guest accommodation for now but could also be for a carer in latter years and the installation of a lift will allow me to continue living on the top floor to enjoy the fantastic views! All doors are wide enough for a wheelchair so I’ve covered all bases, just in case, as I wanted to ensure this was both a beautiful and practical home to live in during my retirement.

Have there been any downsides to the project?

Managing other contractors has been a challengebut no more than I expected with a self build project! Also, with using other contractors who are not familiar with the Beattie Passive system meant I had to guide them through the installation of various fixtures and fitting, for example telling them they couldn’t simply drill a hole in the external wall for wiring or the outside tap as this would adversely affect the integrity of the structure and therefore its performance. However they soon learned how to work with the building and the air tightness test of just 0.358 hm2@50Pa shows it’s performing as it
should! 

How has the process been on site?

All in all it has gone relatively smoothly. Planning took longer than expected and I was grateful to my neighbour who is a builder/developer who was able to recommend various trades I needed prior to Beattie Passive arriving on site. When the structure arrived it all went up so quickly, it was amazing to see my house take shape. The Beattie Passive team worked really well together and they were always helpful and took time to explain the process as it happened.

Which aspects are you looking forward to the most once the build is completed, due to it being a Passivhaus?

The reduction in utility bills will be fantastic not only with it being a Passivhaus and therefore super-insulated, but I also have 6 PV panels on the roof generating my own
electricity. Even though I live in a quiet area, the noise quality afforded by the high-spec triple glazing and super insulated structure will be another bonus along with it being less dusty which is not just better for my health but also less work to clean!

Passivhaus home on the Isle of Man

Four-bedroom Manx Vernacular Cottage

Project Description

To develop a unique Passivhaus standard residence with the external appearance of a typical Manx vernacular cottage in an elevated, conspicuous location with breath-taking views overlooking the south coast of the Isle of Man.

Having been approached by a client with planning permission to build a house using traditional construction methods, Complete Construction Services (CCS) offered the Beattie Passive Build System at a comparative price, even providing a developed roof space. The client embraced the idea and the revised Building Regulations were fast tracked through by Building Control within a week, such was their delight at the
specifications of the system.

The build progressed quickly and smoothly with the structure being manufactured on the Isle of Man by CCS operatives who had undertaken the course at the Beattie Passive Training Academy.

Interview with the client, Kevin Kniveton

1. When and why did you start planning to build your own home?

We have always wanted to build our own home and we were fortunate enough to have land in the south of the Island where there was an existing ruin, which was knocked down and replaced by a Passivhaus.

2. What was your first impression of Passivhaus when suggested by James Vickers at Complete Construction Services?

Having an engineering background I was very interested in the idea of Passivhaus and the potential benefits. Initially I had to convince my wife but she is a convert now!

3. How did you find the initial Beattie Passive design process and working with SNX and James Vickers?

It worked very well as the original construction drawings were changed from a traditional build to Passivhaus but took no longer and we had no concerns about the change in construction method.

4. What impressed you most about the build process?

We were struck by the attention to detail such as every joint and seal is 100% accurate throughout the entire build. The speed of the on-site manufacture and delivery was similar to a traditional build but the quality and level of detail provided by CCS was
impressive.

5. What were you most looking forward to about your new home?

As this was a Passivhaus project we were most looking forward to seeing just how much energy savings we would enjoy. This was our family’s first proper home (having lived in a small flat previously) and as an engineer, the technical side interested me from the outset.

6. What has been your experience of living in a Passivhaus and how does it compare to a traditional house?

Minimal level of external noise is noticeable; we live in a windy spot overlooking Port St.Mary and the triple glazing and overall insulation has been a revelation! Furthermore, the solar panels provide us with very hot water and we’ve noticed a better level of air quality within the home.

7. Is there anything that has been a surprise about living in a Passivhaus?

The overall performance and warmth of the house stays constant throughout the year, regardless of seasons. Despite being a traditional style of home, the Passivhaus element takes it to another level.

“My experience of my new passive system home has surpassed all my expectations. I knew that my utility bills would be a fraction of what I would ordinarily pay in a traditionally built home, but even I was surprised at how low my quarterly bill over 3 of the most demanding months up to the end of December has actually been. Knowing that future bills will decrease much further still when the solar thermal takes over the domestic hot water production and with lower demand generally, I just can’t understand why all homes are not built this way.” Kevin Kniveton, client