The Passivhaus design, referred to as the gold standard in energy-efficient building construction, is becoming more popular. These buildings aim to be environmentally friendly while also providing a high level of comfort. At the heart of Passivhaus design is an effort to keep indoor temperatures at 20 degrees Celsius throughout the year without using traditional heating or cooling systems.

This is done by using very little energy: these buildings do not need radiators, air conditioning units or wood burners. To reach such high comfort levels, Passivhaus takes a different approach from most buildings— it prioritizes its fabric. Instead of using lots of energy-intensive gadgets and gizmos, this design puts lots of insulation, triple-glazed windows and a super airtight building shell between you and the outside world.

• In fact: a Passivhaus needs very little energy for heating or cooling. No more than 15 kilowatt-hours per square meter of living space each year (15 kWh/(m2), to be precise). A normal UK house might use up to 10 times this amount– 150 or even 250 kWh/(m2).
• Another important thing about these buildings is that they have a special kind of ventilation system. They use mechanical fans (that’s the ‘mechanical’ bit) to bring in fresh air from outside. Architects and designers rely on the Passive House Planning Package (PHPP) to make sure they don’t miss any tricks when it comes to energy efficiency.
• This clever software crunches the numbers on things like how your building will be positioned, how much insulation you’ll need, whether heat might sneak through the structure itself (which would be bad), what size windows work best– and lots more! It does all this so that for every single project, an optimal design can be created.

If you’re planning to renovate or build a new home, there’s another reason to ask your architect whether they’ve come across Passivhaus! Incorporating its principles could mean feeling comfy all year round while also cutting energy use and carbon emissions: surely worth finding out about?

Generating your own energy

Generating your own energy at home is an excellent approach to making your house more eco-friendly while also decreasing its carbon footprint. However, there are numerous possibilities available—so many, in fact, that deciding which one best suits both your living quarters and local ecology can seem overwhelming.

• Solar PV Cells: Solar photovoltaic panels represent just such an option! They’re affordable, they work whether you live smack-dab in the middle of nowhere or downtown, and lately some governments have offered incentives for installation. Keep in mind though if there’s no way to store what these panels produce (i. e., batteries), their output alone might not cover all of your energy needs!
• Solar Thermal: If you are considering using solar power to heat your water and would like the option of using it for other things too, solar thermal panels could be worth looking into. It’s important to bear in mind that you will need a large storage tank and that this won’t work if you have a combi boiler.
• Photovoltaic Thermal Panels: For those who want to go one step further, there is also the choice of photovoltaic thermal panels. These enable you to generate electricity as well as hot water– best of both worlds! Although they cost more, such panels allow full use of solar energy all year round.
• Biomass: Biomass is another possibility. This creates energy by burning natural materials like wood. A biomass system can last for up to two decades provided it is properly maintained: although cheap to run, they do need space because they can be large and bulky.

• Air Source Heat Pump: If you’re thinking about getting rid of your old boiler, an air source heat pump might be a good choice. It takes in air from outside, even when it’s cold, and heats it up. But remember, such pumps don’t make the water in radiators quite as hot as a boiler does– so they work best with underfloor heating or big radiators.
• Ground Source Heat Pump: Ground source heat pumps do a similar job but take solar energy stored in the ground. They can be expensive to install. You’ll need to invest in insulation too, plus another source of energy for very cold days.
• Wind Turbines: Wind turbines are worth considering if you’ve enough space (and money) to put one up: ideally, at least 21 meters high with few large obstacles nearby. A turbine could generate more power than you can even use– especially if it’s on a hill or out at sea.
• Hydro Power: If there’s a river running through your land, you might be able to generate energy from hydropower all year round. Even a small stream could be used to drive a turbine, though you’ll need permission from an environment agency before building one!

Insulation

Well done on producing green energy for your home– now make sure you don’t waste it. Insulation is essential for every eco-homeowner; the good news is once you’ve invested, there’s cash to be clawed back through lower bills.

To be a true eco-warrior, think beyond insulating with purpose-grown materials. Consider those that occur naturally and are renewable too. Some examples include:

• Sheep’s wool
• hemp and wood fiber fall
• cellulose
• ThermaFleece
• thermally insulating blocks made from recycled aggregates, cork and more.

It is important to consider more than just the materials when making eco-friendly home improvements. Don’t forget about your windows! Old windows allow heat to escape from a house– meaning more energy (and money) wasted. One solution is to install double or even triple glazing which has two or three layers of glass respectively; this can cut down on heat loss significantly. Also think regarding solar gain: in summer months you might want sunlight to come in through those same window panes and warm things up naturally.

Water Management

Water management is a critical element of an eco-home design! As worries about the environment continue to grow, it is essential for people to use sustainable techniques in their houses– and one of the most important is how we use this potentially limited resource.

There are many things you can do as part of an overall plan; but one simple step which will make a big difference is installing systems which use less water for flushing (toilets, sinks). And don’t forget that there are a lot more ways in which used water can be made fit for use again: so-called greywater recycling systems or even reed beds may appeal to those who want every last drop put to good use!

If you’re interested in stepping things up a notch, think about using a natural filtration system in your garden. You could also speak to a landscaping expert who specializes in eco-friendly designs– they may have some good tips on how to manage water use at home.

Composting toilets are a brilliant idea too! As well as saving water, they reduce the amount of waste that has to be treated– but only if used properly! To prevent nasty smells, make sure there’s enough ventilation; and when it comes to getting rid of what’s in them, follow guidelines carefully so it doesn’t become a pollutant.

Creating an eco-friendly lifestyle

If you are interested in living an environmentally friendly lifestyle, have you thought about how your lifestyle choices affect the way your home is designed? It is important to consider this when building a house that reflects what you believe. The good news is that there are many things you can do to incorporate sustainable living into your home– and it’s not just about choosing eco-friendly décor.

When planning your ideal residence, think about asking your architect to include features like safe storage for bicycles or a power point for charging electric cars. These may seem like small additions but they make big differences: they will help reduce carbon emissions from transport and encourage the use of sustainable methods. Another idea is to include space for growing your own produce: this can cut down on plastic packaging waste as well as promote healthy eating habits.

There are other ways to be environmentally friendly too. For example, if you work from home: you’ll save on travel costs and cut down on how much fossil fuel is used. You could also have a roof garden or vertical garden at your house; both make the air around you cleaner and give off oxygen. And when it comes to recycling or using rainwater, design a proper rain water harvesting system!

If you are interested in discovering how to make your home more eco-friendly, please contact us to arrange a consultation. Our team of specialists can provide suggestions on alterations that will help save the planet– and that too free of cost. Let’s work together towards a greener future!