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Demystifying Passivhaus – What exactly is Passivhaus and what impact is it having on the UK construction market?

Curtis Moore has observed a growing trend in the emergence of projects for tender, encompassing either certified Passivhaus designs or those adhering to Passivhaus principles. Despite this trend, the concept of Passivhaus remains unfamiliar to many. In this blog, we aim to shed light on the essence of Passivhaus and explore the insights gained by Curtis Moore through our experience with such projects.

Passivhaus design, is an energy-efficient building standard that aims to create ultra-low energy buildings with high levels of comfort and indoor air quality. It originated in Germany but has gained popularity and been adopted internationally, including in the UK construction industry.

The primary goal of Passivhaus design is to drastically reduce a building’s energy consumption for heating and cooling, resulting in reduced operational costs and a significantly smaller carbon footprint. The concept relies on a combination of passive design principles such as high-quality insulation, airtight construction, advanced window and door systems, and mechanical ventilation with heat recovery (MVHR).

Key features of Passivhaus design include:

Superior Insulation: Passivhaus buildings are heavily insulated to minimize heat loss through walls, roofs, and floors. This helps maintain a consistent indoor temperature without relying heavily on active heating or cooling systems.

Airtightness: Airtight construction is crucial to prevent uncontrolled air leakage, which can lead to energy loss and discomfort. Sealing gaps and joints in the building envelope ensures that heat is retained, and drafts are minimised.

High-Performance Windows and Doors: Passivhaus buildings typically feature high-quality, triple-glazed windows and well-insulated doors to reduce heat transfer through these openings.

Thermal Bridge Elimination: Thermal bridges are areas where heat can easily escape or enter a building. Passivhaus design aims to minimize these bridges through careful design and construction to maintain consistent indoor temperatures.

Heat Recovery Ventilation (MVHR): MVHR systems supply fresh air to the building while simultaneously recovering heat from the outgoing stale air. This helps maintain a comfortable indoor environment without excessive energy loss.

Solar Gain Optimization: Passive solar design principles are employed to harness and manage solar energy for heating and lighting. Proper orientation of the building, as well as shading devices, can help optimize solar gain.

Energy Efficient Appliances and Lighting: The use of energy-efficient appliances, lighting, and other equipment further contributes to reducing energy consumption in Passivhaus buildings.

Quality Assurance: Passivhaus buildings require rigorous design and construction quality control to meet the standard’s performance criteria. Energy modelling and testing are often conducted to verify that the building meets the desired energy efficiency goals.

In the UK, Passivhaus buildings are becoming more common, especially in sustainable construction projects. The Passivhaus Trust, a non-profit organization, promotes and supports the implementation of the Passivhaus standard in the UK. The Trust offers training, certification, and resources for professionals involved in Passivhaus design and construction.

Passivhaus design is a recognized approach to creating energy-efficient and environmentally conscious buildings that align with the UK’s goals of reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable construction practices.

Here are some key points that Curtis Moore believes should be considered for all Passivhaus projects:

  1. Early Engagement is Paramount: Timely involvement in the project is vital. Being part of the process from the outset allows for a smoother integration of Passivhaus principles.
  2. Significance of Early Design: Commencing the design phase early is of utmost importance. This proactive approach is essential to guarantee the fulfilment of Passivhaus certification criteria.
  3. Tackling Thermal Bridging: Addressing thermal bridging effectively necessitates close collaboration with the supply chain. Collecting comprehensive information and data is imperative to meet Passivhaus standards.
  4. Impact of Installation Procedures: The installation procedures must align with safety measures and also harmonize with Passivhaus design requirements. This necessitates pre-established agreement to ensure a cohesive approach.

At Curtis Moore, we would be delighted to assist with your next Passivhaus project.  Our experienced team, including estimators, pre-construction, designers, planners, procurement and construction staff can share their valuable insight from working on Passivhaus projects.  We can assist in guiding you through essential considerations for the roofing and cladding elements of your project to ensure the project is successful.