Nick has first hand experience of designing and building low energy homes including energy efficient deep retrofit projects.
Parkedge, completed in 2022 is Nick and Kerrie’s own home and the NTAD office. Due to minimal material availability (pandemic) and a modest budget Nick was keen to find a solution that incorporates the benefits of Passivhaus principals but using off the shelf materials available from the local builders merchants. You could consider Parkedge Nicks ‘test dwelling’!
Nick specified Parkedge with the aim of creating a highly insulated envelope with triple glazing and airtightness detailing to minimise heat loss. A heat recovery system (MVHR) provides a constant source of fresh air into the house that automatically adjusts fan speed depending on humidity (e.g. showers). These elements together create a comfortable internal temperature throughout the year (20°c). A 6.4kWp photovoltaic array (solar panels) result in low energy consumption and running costs.
The low energy approach
A Passivhaus design is based around well considered design and specification, airtightness detailing, pre-construction data analysis (PHPP software) and close monitoring during the construction phase.
Nick used Passivhaus software to refine the design of Parkedge to accurately calculate the form factor and thermal specification of the building envelope to ascertain how the orientation of the plot (east to west) would be effected by solar gains throughout the year.
Optimised window locations and sizes to capture key views and minimise the risk of overheating.
The software provides a estimated annual energy consumption based on an airtightness target of 2.5 air changes per hour (Passivhaus certification is 0.6, Building Regulations target is 8.0).
