Turn your house into a Passiv Haus?

Energy So you live in a tradional 3 bed brick built semi and you want to go green? Buildings that meet the Passiv Haus or Passive House standard use a tiny fraction of the energy to keep warm compared to most British houses. Making a traditional brick house reach Passive House standards requires a number of steps, which can be grouped into the following categories: Insulation: The first step is to improve the insulation of the building envelope, which includes the walls, roof, and floor. This can be done by adding insulation to the walls and roof, or by replacing single-paned windows with double or triple-paned windows with low-e coatings. Air tightness: The next step is to make the house airtight to reduce heat loss and improve indoor air quality. This can be achieved by sealing all air leaks around windows and doors, as well as in the attic and crawlspace. Ventilation: Passive Houses require a high level of indoor air quality, so a balanced ventilation system is necessary. This can be achieved through the use of a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) or an energy recovery ventilator (ERV), which brings in fresh air while removing stale air. Windows: Passive Houses require high-performance windows with low U-values (a measure of heat loss) and low-e coatings to reduce heat loss and improve energy efficiency. Heating and cooling: A Passive House requires a low-energy heating and cooling system, such as a heat pump, to maintain comfortable indoor temperatures. This system should be designed to work with the building envelope and ventilation system to provide optimal energy efficiency. Monitoring and verification: Finally, it is important to monitor and verify the performance of the Passive House to ensure that it meets the required standards and is operating optimally. This can be done through the use of energy monitoring systems and regular audits by a Passive House consultant. Which local experienced professionals can ensure that the Passive House standards are met and that the building operates optimally?

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