Passivhaus retrofit
Following the great interest our Denby Dale Passivhaus project has generated, Green Building Store offers an essential guide to refurbishing your home using the Passivhaus approach.
1. Find an architect or builder with experience of Passivhaus design and construction.
If you live in the Huddersfield/ West Yorkshire area you can contact Green Buildng Company, builders of the Denby Dale Passvhaus. We work closely with Huddersfield architect Derrie O'Sullivan and can offer design, build, training and consultancy services for your project.
If you live outside West Yorkshire, we recommend looking for AECB members, ideally with Passivhaus experience (www.aecb.net).
Green Building Company can offer Passivhaus consultancy services to projects outside West Yorkshire, please ring Camilla on 01484 461705 for more information.
2. Design your Passivhaus using PHPP software
For retrofits it is harder to reach the exacting requirements of the Passivhaus standard. The Passivhaus Institut has recently introduced the EnerPHit standard for refurbishment projects which illustrates that it is still possible to achieve vastly reduced fuel bills and minimal heating demand using the Passivhaus methodology with retrofits. Even if you don't work to the EnerPHit/ Passivhaus standard, it is still important that a retrofit project is modelled using Passvihaus Planning Package software (PHPP). PHPP modelling needs to go in tandem with architectural designs as it will allow the architect to see what is and isn't possible within the parameters of the Passivhaus methodology. Green Building Store now offers a PHPP design service. For more information, ring Paul Smith on 01484 461705.
3. Get planning permission
Passivhaus retrofit projects will probably need planning permission as they might require external insulation or changes to the roof etc. Your architect can help with this - low energy Passivhaus projects should be looked on favourably by planning departments - especially now that Passivhaus is becoming better known in the UK.
4. Fund your project
The Ecology Building Society offers mortgages at preferential rates for houses built to the Passivhaus standard. www.ecology.co.uk
5. Find Passivhaus products
Passivhaus buildings can be built using many conventional building materials found in any builders' merchant. For the specialist Passivhaus elements such as windows, MVHR systems (mechanical ventilation with heat recovery ) and airtightness products, Green Building Store offers a specialist range of Passivhaus products.
6. More information
Passivhaus Refurb Diaries - Rob Prewett's renovation of an Edwardian house using the Passivhaus methodology
EnerPHit refurbishment, Hereford - Simmonds Mills architects
Other Passivhaus-inspired refurbishments
Retrofit for the future - low energy building database
PASS-NET webinar - Passivhaus refubishment for social housing and community buildings