Exeter City Council builds 20 Passivhaus homes

Following on from the sucess and lessons learnt from Knights Place, PHT members Gale & Snowden are once again working with Exeter City Council on the construction of 20 new Passivhaus homes at three sites in Exeter. Construction has begun and the accommodation at Bennett Square (Mincinglake) and Brookway (Whipton) is due to complete in spring 2015. Newport Road (Countess Wear) expected to be finished by summer 2015.  

The Council's ambitions for the new homes were to build the best product they could that would address fuel poverty and opted for a fabric first approach. Architects Gale & Snowden pushed for the Passivhaus Standard. Appointed contractors include Interserve Construction & local company CG Fry & Sons.

Thick blockwork construction with external wall insulation and triple-glazed windows helps create very well insulated homes that are airtight to eliminate uncontrolled drafts; resulting in tenants reaping the benefits of reduced energy bills.

Whereas an average three-bed home costs around £600 to £800 to heat per year, in result of aiming for Passivhaus Standards, the new city homes will have significantly reduced fuel bills. 

In 2010, when we had completed our first Passivhaus project, there were only 30 similar projects across the whole of the country. Although that number has now risen, it does go to show how in Exeter, we are leading the way. Cllr Rob Hannaford, Lead Councillor for Housing and Customer Access

 

Further Information:

Exeter City Council

14th August 2014

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