Major UK housebuilder to build Passivhaus for the masses

Imagine a home so well insulated, your winter heating bill drops by 60%. A home that stays cool in summer, warm in winter, and saves you money every single day. Thanks to a bold move by one of the UK’s biggest housebuilders, this dream is no longer just for eco-self-builders - it’s going mainstream.

Barratt has announced a landmark move to adopt Passivhaus at scale. Futureproofing its developments in the capital in response to London’s growing need for sustainable and resilient housing, all Barratt’s London residential schemes will be built to meet or exceed the Passivhaus standard. Residents can expect up to 80% savings on heating and hot water bills compared to conventional district heating systems, alongside up to 90% reductions in carbon emissions.

First stop: High Barnet and Acton

The first Lo-E (low-energy) homes will be delivered in High Barnet, through a major regeneration scheme in partnership with Places for London. Out of around 300 homes, 40% will be affordable, and every affordable home will meet Lo-E standards. A similar rollout is also planned in Bollo Lane, Acton, with a total of 728 Lo-E homes in the pipeline for London. PHT member Beyond Carbon are the Passivhaus certifiers at Bollo Lane.

These projects are part of a larger £1.9 billion collaboration that will bring 4,000 new homes to the capital over the next decade.

“Our Lo-E concept rethinks the traditional approach to high-density housing. It’s a response to the unique climate and affordability challenges we face in London. We’re proud to lead the way in delivering low-carbon, future-ready homes at scale.”

Craig Carson, Managing Director at Barratt West London

What makes Lo-E homes special?

Based on Passivhaus principles, Barratt aims to deliver resilient homes certified to Passivhaus standards. As well as clearly defined performance & comfort criteria, accurate performance modelling, and rigorous quality assurance, key features include:

Triple-glazed windows for better insulation and quieter living.
Summer comfort design to keep interiors cool in summer.
Fresh air systems that filter pollutants and reduce allergens
Energy-efficiency so high you may barely need to turn on the heating

“Barratt London is pushing the sustainability envelope… This is a genuine exemplar that goes far beyond what legislation requires. London is fast becoming a hub of Passivhaus excellence, with Lo-E Homes playing a significant role. In simple terms, thanks to the gold-standard Passivhaus specification, they are as good as it gets.”

Dr Joel Callow, Beyond Carbon

A win for everyone

Crucially for homeowners, the benefits go well beyond environmental impact & shrinking carbon emissions. In addition to lower running costs, Lo-E homes will offer improved indoor comfort and health - particularly during the colder months, while reducing reliance on energy sources susceptible to price volatility.

Barratt’s shift to Passivhaus has already earned praise from city planners and the Greater London Authority. Pending planning approvals, the developer aims to roll out its new model across all its future developments in the capital.

We applaud Barratt’s bold decision which positions them at the forefront of sustainable UK housebuilding. We look forward to working with them to ensure certified Passivhaus ambitions are delivered. Let’s hope it will inspire other volume housebuilders to follow Barratt’s lead.