Passivhaus design can create healthy and comfortable homes that require minimal heating

(21/01/2009)

Passivhaus is a school of design that has developed over the last 20 years in Germany, Europe and North America. By using the simple 'tea cosy' effect of super-efficient insulation and excellent airtightness coupled with a 'comfort ventilation' system, Passivhaus design can create healthy and comfortable homes that require minimal heating. Heat generated from the sun through windows, occupants' (and pets') body heat and cooking and showering activities are often all that are needed to warm a Passivhaus home.

Green Building Store has launched a new range of Passivhaus products which can help create homes and buildings which use 90% less energy for heating than standard UK buildings. Green Building Store believes Passivhaus design offers the most effective - and cost-effective - way to construct 'low carbon' homes and cut CO2 emissions from buildings.

Passivhaus design is based on the principle that reducing heating loss to the minimum is the most cost-effective way of creating a 'low carbon' building. Green Building Store believes the UK's strategy on 'low carbon' homes needs to be urgently revised to put greater emphasis on energy efficiency, airtightness and other Passivhaus design principles and away from 'eco-bling' and expensive bolt-on renewables.

"We have introduced our new Passivhaus range to accelerate the adoption of Passivhaus design and construction in the UK. Passivhaus building design has been widely adopted in Europe and has recently had high level support from the European Parliament. The UK urgently needs to embrace the Passivhaus approach if we are to respond to the threat of climate change effectively and cost-effectively." Chris Herring, Director, Green Building Store

Green Building Store's new Passivhaus range offers many of the key elements for Passivhaus homes and is ideal for new-build projects as well as eco-renovations:

* Passivhaus windows/ doors: Among the most thermally-efficient windows/ doors available in the UK, with whole window U values as low as 0.65 W/m2K. Available in FSC 100% timber or timber/ fibreglass composite.

* Airtightness membranes and tapes: Airtightness products using high performance tapes and 'intelligent' vapour checks can help buildings achieve the high levels of airtightness required for Passivhaus buildings, as well as protecting building structures from condensation, mould, rot and damp.

* Comfort Ventilation (MVHR) systems: Comfort Ventilation (also known as Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery) is an essential part of Passivhaus building design and helps ensure high quality ventilation while retaining heat in the building, through use of a highly efficient heat exchanger.

* Design & Build: Green Building Store's sister company Green Building Co. now offers a Passivhaus and 'low carbon' design and build service in the West Yorkshire and the North-West regions.

Green Building Store's Passivhaus products will be showcased at the sustainable design exhibition (Earl's Court, London 3rd - 5th March) Ecobuild.

Related categories:  Energy saving technologies   Environmental technologies for offices and commercial   Environmental technologies for Residential and Green homes   Insulation