Welcome to the Encraft Passivhaus blog.
Encraft is a leading independent consulting engineering firm specialising in microgeneration, on site renewables and low carbon buildings.
This blog is dedicated to all the work that we are doing in the Passivhaus area, and will keep you informed through photos, videos and articles as we progress through various projects.
Sarah, .. I am researching the EnerPHit standard for my thesis and your blog and photos are brilliant and very informative. Thanks.
I am looking forward to further updates
Kind regards
Paul Ebbs
Final year BSc Construction Mgmt student. Dublin,
Sarah, I have a mid-seventies construction that is open-plan, with a gallery view from the landing ie 2 storey high ceiling. This means there is an awful lot of air space to heat, as a result. energy bills are heading toward £200 per month – what would your guys advise? (Short of moving to a new Passivhaus?)
Hi Damian, It’s hard to say without seeing the house as there are so many reasons why your energy bills might be high. Being open plan shouldn’t be a problem, but having a gallery will mean hot air from downstairs will easily move upstairs as I’m sure you’re well aware! The only way to solve this problem is to somehow force the hot back back downstairs again – this can be achieved using a de-stratification fan – although they’re not always the most elegant and obviously use energy to run. I have seen Passivhauses with galleries however air will be well circulated due to the MVHR system since they are very air tight.
The best way to reduce bills is to concentrate on the fabric of your building, the walls, floor, roof, windows and doors and try and improve these to a similar standard. The hard bit is to do all that without creating any massive thermal bridges!
If you need any more advice on the matter, or would like us to come any do a survey of your house just get in touch with Encraft on 01926 312159.