We now have two handy guides for our customers. Download your free copy here of our The ever changing face of Energy Statements
PassivHaus
PassivHaus offers an exciting promise of reducing energy consumption by up to 90%
PassivHaus is arguably the low energy, low carbon design standard and offers scope for really special developments. The proven PassivHaus standard first came from Germany in the 1990s; it addresses climate change and predicted fossil fuel shortages. Its guiding principle is the idea that minimising heating loss is the most robust and cost-effective way to achieve low carbon buildings. Here’s the Government’s view on PassivHaus and our thoughts on getting the best from the standard…
What the Government says about PassivHaus
The Government sees PassivHaus as broadly equivalent to Code Level 4. On the face of it, PassivHaus offers an exciting promise of reducing energy consumption by up to 90% using a refreshingly simple set of premises:
- Space heating: less than 15 kWh/m²/yr.
- Total primary energy use (heating, hot water and electricity) not exceeding 120 kWh/m2/yr.
- Maximum air leakage of 0.75 m³/m²hr @ 50 Pa (0.6 air changes per hour).
- A recommended specific heat load for the heating source at the desired temperature of less than 10 W/m².
What PassivHaus really means for you
As one of the few assessors with experience on Passiv houses, here’s our view on a standard that relies on the following:
- Very high levels of insulation
- Triple glazed, insulated windows
- ‘Thermal-bridge-free’ construction
- Well sealed building fabric
- Mechanical ventilation for highly efficient heat recovery.
The concept may be tried and tested in Europe, but Passiv houses are still new to the UK. That’s why you will need a special kind of energy assessor. As one of the UK’s first PassivHaus specialists, we’re one of the few with the experience – and the contacts at the standard’s Germanic heart. We do each project in partnership with our experienced German architectural advisor. That way, you enjoy priceless reassurance as we provide all the technical advice and training you need.
You simply cannot get this expertise just anywhere. The underlying principles sound simple, but building compliant Passiv houses requires meticulous attention to detail – and exacting design and construction. And do you know what? That’s exactly what our fully qualified assessors will help you achieve.
I have never come across more dedicated, helpful and approachable people as yourselves.
First, we use the PassivHaus Planning Package (PHPP) to model your dwelling’s energy demands. Then we make sound recommendations and give you all the design advice you need from the design stage meeting to final certification. As you would expect from Energist, we focus everything we do on your project’s success.
Getting the best from PassivHaus for your building and your business
As usual, you can’t do better than get us involved at the earliest stage in your development. If you’re concerned about the challenges and complexities of PassivHaus, our knowledge and experience really can help your project and your business be more successful. Yet again, If you’re in building design or construction, we’ll make your world better; that’s a promise.
Download our PassivHaus flowchart to see what to expect when you work with us.
