Watching "Guy Martin's House Without Bills" on #Channel4. Been looking forward to this!
I have both of Marion's "Residential Retrofit" books, so already knew this would be a good episode, even then it blew me away. Myth busting that low energy buildings require the occupant to "manage" their environment, and the "rebound effect" is a non-issue as once energy demand has been reduced by 80%, even doubling that still works out to be less energy.
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2394957/episodes/18467218-mark-talks-to-marion-baeli
The retro-fit market for domestic homes in the UK is enormous. We have some of the oldest housing stock in Europe that accounts for 20% of national carbon emissions. There are 27 million homes, the vast majority of which will require s...
@coldclimate I've been reading plenty on this topic for a good few years now but non of my notes are quite organised.
Firstly, I'd recommend this book: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0993077234 even if you know most of it, I feel like it cements things, but if you don't it gives you the words and generally how the different measures work together.
There are many retrofit co-op which have already been referenced, but I'm still not aware of any which operate in the north east.
You mention #PassiveHouse, their lesser standard #EnerPHit is a good term for searching, then there's #AECB which have more attainable standards while still taking a holistic approach.
This whole podcast is a treasure trove but this episode in particular: https://www.houseplanninghelp.com/hph383-a-beginners-guide-to-creating-a-comfortable-home/
Understand the current building fabric, the materials used, and the effects of using non-"breathable" materials on buildings which are. I'm generally for woodfibre or similar first, and then PIR (or similar) when others aren't so suitable. Trades seem to opt for PIR for everything.
I like the guides on this site: https://www.ecologicalbuildingsystems.com/post/best-practice-approach-insulating-suspended-timber-floors (it will look strangely familiar to the wall I'm working on)
Insulation is one big part, it has to be continuous, but air tightness (not just "draught proofing") as such an impact on both comfort and heat retention. Ventilation is another, can't seal up without letting that moisture escape, for that I'm looking into #MVHR, also helps keep down CO2 levels.
And finally, have a plan, with deep(er)-retrofit, everything relates to something else so the sequence is critical.
I live in an UK 1950s semi. I've slapped solar and a battery into it, and over the next few years I want to step up the energy efficiency+eco impact with retrofitting.
Anybody know of any useful blogs or resources? Any localish companies (North East) who can help?
I'm thinking about #insulation, #underfloorheating, #heatpump, what else? #passivehouse
We’re officially Passive House certified! After intensive training and passing the exam in December, we’re proud to be part of a standard that sets the bar for energy-efficient homes—focused on comfort, durability, and smart, low-energy design. These ideas can work in any home, not just new builds. This mindset aligns with how we already work: thoughtful, well-built, and made to last.
– Nancy + Angelo
#PassiveHouse #HighPerformanceHomes #SustainableDesign #CadenceDesignAndArchitectureStudio
• -14°C this morning, -4°C now.
• air enters the ventilation at 5°C thanks to the passive ground-coupled heat exchanger (+9°C)
• supplied air is at 21°C thanks to the air-to-air heat exchanger (+16°C)
• extracted air is at 24°C
• discharged air is at 8°C
It consumes around 300W of electricity.
The ventilation maintains the temperature whilst renewing air. The greenhouse heats the house. It's currently at 32°C.
Michael Burchert
Bentley
Sean Hood
coldclimate
Cadence design + architecture
Ivan Enderlin 🦀